Olympic games: what’s your personal goal?

There’s no doubt the Olympic Games are the proof of men and women around the world breaking physical boundaries and pushing limits regardless of their age, nationality and gender. Even though the pandemic is setting new rules for observers and athletes, the competition is still a great opportunity to feed ourselves with financial and personal inspiration.

So what tools from the Olympics can we apply in our daily lives?

Start with manageable goals

Athletes usually set SMART goals: Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Relevant and Time-Bound. By keeping realistic targets and a structured plan, your goals will become clearer and and success will be even more feasible. Just like athletes, we can’t hope to take action one day. A schedule with a detailed plan is the basis of every athlete’s major achievement, and we should definitely imitate that in every single aspect of our lives.

Team work is always better

While Ariarne Titmus is stealing our hearts with her amazing performance in swimming, it is important to acknowledge the wonderful team behind her victories. We are talking about her parents, coaches, trainers, dietitians, physiotherapists and doctors who have advised her and shared vital wisdom to her.

Us mortals probably don’t need to put together an entourage, but creating a powerful network can help you reach your goals, keep you accountable and provide ongoing motivation. From financial advisors, lawyers and accountants to therapists, coaches and even just great friends or family members.

Pick your battles

Some exceptional athletes have made history in different sports, but the general rule for them is to specialise in one area in order to achieve gold. By playing to your strengths, you can focus you energy and much precious time in one major goal, sharpening your skills and creating a solid base with no risk of burning out or trying to accomplish too much with too little.

Build your confidence

The most famous boxer in history, Muhammad Ali once said: “I am the greatest; I said that even before I knew I was,”. It might sound like overdoing it when we try to say that to ourselves, but confidence can play an unimaginable role when it comes to achieving goals.

As the social psychologist Amy Cuddy would say, don’t fake it till you make it, fake it till you become it! The latest papers on psychology and neurobiology have proven little daily routines such as posture, affirmations, mindfulness and more can improve not only our mental but also our physical health (yes, even losing weight).

There’s no such thing as failure

Failure has become a shameful little monster with a very negative connotation. But most athletes and successful entrepreneurs would laugh when talking about it, because these are the key moments in life that teach them how to improve.

Failure makes us feel like we have lost completely, all athletes had to fail in order to learn how to ride their bicycles for the first time, row better, jump higher or throw further. To this day, that’s the best way to refine skills in sport: repetition towards success.

Failure is also the foundation for resilience and adaptation. When the future seems blurry, a better plan and a determination to continue our paths can make the difference. Rethink failure the way tennis players do: they may lose a tournament, but rarely they decide to retire without giving it another shot.

As the Olympics continue to inspire us with unforgettable moments and astonishing athletes, remember you can also achieve great goals with a bit of discipline and effort!