How Being a Triathlete Helps Me Dominate Business
A triathlon is the toughest race on the planet. Consisting of 2.4-mile swim, 112-mile bike ride and a marathon run (26.22 miles), the Ironman Triathlon is not for the faint of heart.
As I’m training for my upcoming triathlon, I have had plenty of time to reflect on my athletic career and how it has made me the success that I am today. Now, I’m not the most athletic person on earth. But I have been successful in pursuing and achieving my athletic goals and couldn’t be more proud of my tally of over a dozen completed triathlons.
Triathletes have to be prepared for all of the challenges that this grueling race presents. Fortunately, some of the issues that I face during a triathlon are extremely similar to my daily challenges as a business owner and entrepreneur. Here are a few tips for overcoming your obstacles, whether they are on a bike trail or in the boardroom.
Preparation is Key
Before any race or important business meeting, I make sure to put in the necessary hours of preparation that will give me the best chance at success. Triathletes have a saying that goes, “We train in the dark to see in the light.” From months of training and eating healthy to scouring documents and collecting files, preparation lays the groundwork for achieving your athletic or financial goals in any given situation.
Think about what would happen if you entered a triathlon without running daily or eating right. You would be out of breath within minutes and be forced to quit. That’s exactly how I think about my business decisions as well. If you enter an important meeting without doing the research and seem unprepared, you probably aren’t going to be successful in landing that deal.
Envision Your Goals
From crossing that finish line to securing a new investment, it’s important to envision your success before you get started. By foreseeing your achievements, you can anticipate any potential issues that may arise along the way. Remember, running a triathlon or successful business is a journey not a sprint.
Consider a minor league baseball player that envisions himself in the Hall of Fame in the future. To have this dream in mind, this athlete must also consider all of the years of successful baseball that he must achieve on the path to a lengthy career. In order to successfully reach your long-term goals, it’s vital that you understand the journey that it will take to accomplish the task at hand.
Stay Focused
Once you have prepared for your task and envisioned success, it’s important to stay focused on your goals in the moment. You’re going to have difficulties during a triathlon or complex business development. Keep your mind concentrated on what it will take to succeed and deal with any issues as they arise.
There have been times where my legs have cramped up and I have contemplated ending a race. There have also been times where people have told me that an investment opportunity was not going to happen due to a number of different factors. What did I do in those situations? I dug deep within myself and put everything I had into the race or deal. By understanding that pain in athletics or business is only temporary, I have been able to push forward and achieve my goals on my own terms.
The mantra of a triathlete is to keep going, no matter what. This is also great advice in business situations. To learn more about how to stay motivated and tips for achieving your long-term goals, visit my website today.