Great Olympians and entrepreneurs share the mindset of a champion. Here are eight of the greatest Olympic quotes of all time from American athletes:
#1 Your Biggest Competition is You!
“The only victory that counts is the one over yourself.”Jesse Owens, American Sprinter and Long Jumper
When Jesse Owens won four gold medals in the 1936 Summer Olympics in Berlin, hedidn’t just defeat athletes from all over the world. He also helped defeat the message of “Aryan racial superiority” that Adolph Hitler hoped the Germany-held games would spread.
In a way, Owens was racing against racism. But in his mind, he was just racing against himself. As Owens set a world record in 100m dash, the only competition that matteredwas the internal battle going on in Owens’ body and mind.
Adopting the Gold Medal Mindset:
“I Didn’t Set Out to Beat the World; I Just Set Out to Do My Absolute Best.” Al Oerter, four-time gold medal winner in the discus throw
Instead of thinking about other competitors focus your competitive energy internally. When you create an excellent, one-of-a-kind training effort, the competition is irrelevant.
#2 Do What You Love
“The first thing is to love your sport. Never do it to please someone else. It has to be yours.”
Peggy Fleming, gold medalist in figure skating in 1968. If you’ve heard this advice before, that’s because it’s profound and important. When Peggy Flemming was 12 years old, her coach William Kipp died suddenly in a plane crash. If it weren’t for her intense love for figure skating, she surely would have been discouraged from continuing her training with a new coach. Instead, she won Olympic gold eight years later.
Adopting the Gold Medal Mindset:
No Olympian has ever medaled in an event they didn’t like. In life, we should all do whatwe love and love what we do.
#3 Ignore Nay-Sayers
“When anyone tells me I can’t do anything, I’m just not listening anymore.”Florence Griffith-Joyner, three-time gold medalist in 1988
Florence Griffith-Joyner (a.k.a. “Flo-Jo”) is considered the fastest woman of all time,based on the fact that she holds the record in both the 100m and 200m. But even she had people telling her that she didn’t have what it takes to win gold.
Adopting the Gold Medal Mindset:
At every sporting event, there’s someone booing. At every comedy show, there’s a heckler. And for every musician, there’s a music critic.
Recognize that nay-sayers are going to be there no matter what, so there’s no reason to take it personally. Instead, have Flo-Jo’s attitude and stop listening when someone tells you that you can’t do something.
#4 Don’t Get Caught Up with Tomorrow
“I’m trying to do the best I can. I’m not concerned with tomorrow, but with what goes on today.”
Mark Spitz, gold medalist in swimming in 1972 and 1968. There’s an old sports cliché: “We’re just going to take it one day at a time.” However, like most clichés, there’s a good reason it’s so often repeated. The only day you canaccomplish anything is today. On training days, you can’t be day-dreaming about winning the main event. When the day has finally come for you to perform, all you can focus on is your performance – not the medal ceremony.
Adopting the Gold Medal Mindset:
Remember that for every second an Olympic medalist stands on the podium, they’ve spent hundreds of hours in practice facilities.
#5 Success is Journey
“It’s all about the journey, not the outcome.”Carl Lewis, gold medalist in 1996, 1992, 1988
As a track-and-field athlete, there’s no greater outcome than setting a world record. Lewis set multiple world records and won nine gold medals, so he knows all about achieving the pinnacle of success. Yet he says “it’s all about the journey.”
Adopting the Gold Medal Mindset:
“The most important thing in the Olympic Games is not winning but takingpart; the essential thing in life is not conquering but fighting well.” -Pierre de Coubertin, founder of modern Olympic Games
#6 Cherish the Challenges
“Hard days are the best because that’s where champions are made. So if you push through the hard days you can get through anything.” Gabby Douglas, two-time gold medal winner in the 2012 London Olympic Games
Gabby Douglas has had her fair share of hard day. In the 2012 London Olympics, she received criticism for her hairstyle and for shaky performances in individual events. But for a 16-year-old, she had a remarkably mature perspective on taking on challenges. Her rigorous training schedule has taught her the old adage that “the strongest steel is forged in the hottest fires.”
Adopting the Gold Medal Mindset:
Next time you’re feeling frustrated by a hard day or practice or game performance ask yourself how facing this challenge will help make you a better entrepreneur in the future.
#7 Be Prepared when Your Moment Comes
“I am building a fire, and every day I train, I add more fuel. At just the right moment, I light the match.” Mia Hamm, gold medalist in women’s soccer in 2004 and 1996
As a soccer player, you train for thousands of hours all in preparation of one match: the championship. When that big game comes, the players who perform are those who prepared fully.
Adopting the Gold Medal Mindset:
“Olympics — A lifetime of training for just ten seconds.” -Jesse Owens
Every day think about ways you can be better. Can you improve on your nutrition, sleep, flexibility, film study, etc when your big moment comes, make sure you’re ready to capitalize.
#8 Greatness is About Rising to Yourself
“Never underestimate the power of dreams and the influence of the human spirit. We are all the same in this notion: The potential for greatness liveswithin each of us.”
Wilma Rudolph, gold medalist in athletics in 1960 and bronze medalist in 1956.
Every human being is capable of accomplishing great things. Gold medalists are people who make the decision to rise to their personal potential for greatness. Follow this advice and work each day to achieve your potential.