As so many others I’ve been watching the Summer Olympics and marveling at the talent and skill of the athletes. Listen to any of the interviews and you’ll hear stories of sacrifice, long hours of training (often from a very young age), and a firm knowing of what the goal is. These are stories of perseverance. The common thread for each is they know the desired end result – to win Gold.
In your business life, do you act as a virtual Olympian? Not sure…take this fitness test to see how you score:
- Are you training, stretching and continually growing towards your goals as if drawn by a powerful magnet in a singular direction?
- Have you known from a young age what your business purpose is?
- Do you surround yourself with trainers, coaches, mentors, and experienced predecessors who are there to answer your questions? To guide you through when you must weather a storm? To lend their support?
- Do you fly the banner of your branding proudly?
- Do you demonstrate good sportsmanship and encouragement towards your fellow colleagues? Cheering them on in their successes? Lifting them through their stumbles?
Hmm, how do you rank?
Have a few areas to set your sights on?
Are you ready to swim the rest of the laps?
So many lessons about healthy business can be seen and learned as we watch the best of the best compete in these games. I encourage you to watch closely and soak up these lessons.
- Watch for examples of how each country’s branding is solidly displayed. (How consistently do you brand your business?)
- Listen to the athlete interviews as they share how even though they compete as an individual they train and prepare with the assistance of their support teammates. (Virtual assistants know a thing or two or three about supporting goals and getting clients closer to the next level of success.)
- Weep with achievers as they realize their goal is blossoming into reality with the whole world watching, applauding, and words of their country’s anthem on their lips. (It’s pretty satisfying to know you’ve had a hand in someone’s road to success. It’s another amazing feeling to reach what you’ve professionally desired for your own business.)
- Feel the emotions as all they’ve worked towards leads them to stand high on a riser ready to claim their well earned accolades and honors. (Go ahead, take a bow, you’re part of the support team and together you’ve all worked so hard for this moment.)
One news reporter shared briefly the story of the burning flame from the Olympic torch and how the flame represents the athletes’ spirit during the games. A visual reminder of all they’ve come to experience. What’s your reminder in your business? If you don’t have that reminder, get one. It need only have meaning to you but will serve as a catalyst to spur you on…to press on through all obstacles…growing ever closer to your goals.
Let me leave you with this thought, “What have you done today to make you feel proud?” I look forward to reading your responses.