What can solopreneurs learn from Olympic Athletes?
Finding inspiration at the Olympic Games Paris 2024
I’ve always found the Olympic Games fascinating. I remember spending hours in front of the TV, lying on the floor when I was a kid. They were always during my summer, so I had all the time in the world to watch.
I've watched every Olympics since I can remember, from when I was a little girl to today. As I grew older, I didn’t have as much time, but I always found a way to watch my favorite sports and see these incredible athletes, who spend four years preparing to compete in front of the world and be crowned the best in their sport.
Being someone who loves both art and sport, I never miss a gymnastics or synchronized swimming final. They are the perfect blend of both worlds. Swimming, tennis, football and archery also captivate me. And of course, I never miss the opening and closing ceremonies. These can be true entertainment jewels.
Despite my love for this unique event, and having lived in London during the 2012 Olympics, I never attended the games until this year. I have to say, it is an experience worth having. And it’s not as expensive as (at least) I thought it was! I haven't been to Paris per se. Instead, I went to Lyon: a beautiful city which is part of the supporting cities for the games (and a perfect one for a week off!).
Getting inspired by the Olympics
Although the experience in Lyon was not exactly the same as it would be in Paris, it was still very interesting and sparked some creativity in me to write here again.
I came to realize that solopreneurs have a lot in common with Olympic athletes. The same drive, resilience, and determination are required to succeed, and there's much we can learn from these elite competitors. Personally, I find them incredibly inspiring.
Take Simone Biles, for instance. Apart from being the most decorated gymnast in history, she showed the world how prioritizing herself and her mental health has made her stronger and better at her discipline than ever.
"I say put mental health first. Because if you don't, then you're not going to enjoy your sport and you're not going to succeed as much as you want to. So it's OK sometimes to even sit out the big competitions to focus on yourself, because it shows how strong of a competitor and person that you really are — rather than just battle through it." - Simone Biles, after withdrawing from the 2020-2021 Tokyo Olympic finals due to mental health issues.
This is what solopreneurs can learn from Olympic Athletes
OK, so let’s dive into how we solopreneurs can adopt the Olympic spirit to elevate our game. Here are a few ideas that came to mind:
Discipline and Consistency
Olympic athletes have to train relentlessly, day in and day out, regardless of how they feel. This level of discipline ensures they are always progressing towards their goals.
As solopreneurs, we need a structured routine too. By showing up consistently, even when motivation fades, we can make steady progress towards our business objectives. This doesn’t mean you can't take breaks or prioritize your mental health. It means that even when it feels tough, you need to keep working to reach your goals. Nothing comes easy in life!
Goal Setting
Athletes are masters of setting and achieving SMART goals (specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound). They break down their ultimate objective into smaller, attainable targets and celebrate each victory, no matter how small it might seem. Think of the Olympic swimmers and how a millisecond can mean winning, losing, or even breaking a world record.
As solopreneurs, we can adopt this practice by setting clear, actionable goals for our business, ensuring each step is a move towards our vision (and celebrating each little win!).
Mental Toughness
The path to the Olympics is fraught with setbacks—physical injuries, losses, mental health issues, and intense competition. Similarly, we solopreneurs face failures, rejections, and challenges.
Developing mental toughness is crucial. By maintaining a positive outlook, practicing mindfulness, resting and unwinding regularly, and seeking support from a network of peers, we can build the resilience needed to overcome obstacles.
Adaptability and Flexibility
Athletes must adapt their strategies based on competition results and unforeseen changes. When a gymnast fails in an exercise and doesn’t get the score needed to be on the podium, she might have to perform a more complex routine in the next round to compensate for the score. If she executes it correctly, she can have more chances to win that precious medal.
For us solopreneurs, the ability to pivot or react in response to market demands is vital. Regularly reviewing and adjusting our strategies ensures we stay relevant and can navigate the ever-changing business landscape.
Team Support and Coaching
Behind every successful athlete is a team of coaches and supporters. Even if they compete alone, they don’t train alone. They have many people behind them working to get the best out of them.
We solopreneurs, while often working solo, also need a strong support system. Building a network of mentors, advisors, and peers can provide valuable guidance, feedback, and encouragement to help us reach our goals.
Health and Well-being
Athletes prioritize their physical and mental health to perform at their best. Simone’s example mentioned earlier is not the only one. Many other Olympic athletes have to withdraw from competition to recover before they can return to competing at the highest level.
As solopreneurs, we should do the same. Incorporating regular exercise, balanced nutrition, and sufficient rest into our routines can sustain long-term productivity and creativity. Not only that, but withdrawing from a project or opportunity to prioritize our health is part of the game too. It might feel like we are missing the opportunity of our lives, but we aren’t. More opportunities will come, and better ones, if we take care of ourselves first.
Conclusion
Even if you’re not a sports fan, watching the Olympics can be very inspiring for your solopreneur journey. The dedication, perseverance, and resilience displayed by Olympic athletes offer valuable lessons for us all.
By adopting the discipline, goal-setting strategies, mental toughness, adaptability, team support, and health prioritization of these elite competitors, we can elevate our own game as solopreneurs. The Olympic spirit isn’t just about winning medals—it's about striving for excellence, overcoming obstacles, and continually pushing ourselves to be the best we can be.
So, the next time you catch an Olympic event, take a moment to reflect on what these athletes can teach you about your own entrepreneurial journey. Who knows? You might just find the inspiration you need to reach new heights in your business and your life!
Until next time, stay competitive and resilient!
-Sabrina
Do you watch the Olympics or have you attended one? Can you think of other examples we can get inspiration from? Let us know in the comments!
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⚡️About Sabrina Bonini
Sabrina Bonini is a content specialist, writer, and edutainer who thrives as a multi-passionate solopreneur. She’s currently creating content about Web3, new technologies, and Sports.
On a personal level, Sabrina writes the weekly publication ✍️ Diary of a Modern Solopreneur, bringing readers along on her solopreneur journey and sharing insights and lessons in hopes of empowering others on the same path.
When she’s not busy typing away, she’s picking up new hobbies, indulging her curiosity, or playing hide-and-seek with her fluffy cat. Discover more about her work and connect with her on LinkedIn.