5 Tips from Top Olympians for Performing Your Best

Admins can learn a lot from Olympic contenders. Successful athletes are confident in their ability to set and reach their goals, as well as to consistently improve, no matter what obstacles they face. You can, too. Here are inspiring quotes from Olympic medalists that say it all.

1. Be Passionate
To be the best you can be, you must bring passion to your work. Passion will drive you to aim higher, try harder, and ultimately, advance in your career. AsMary Lou Retton, gold medalist at the 1984 Los Angeles Olympics, said: “Each of us has a fire in our hearts for something. It’s our goal in life to find it and keep it lit.”

2. Be Confident
The difference between people who succeed and those who fail is often the confidence to make things happen. When we believe in ourselves, we’re apt to block out negativity find solutions to problems we might not otherwise see.“When anyone tells me I can’t do anything, I’m just not listening anymore.” –Florence Griffith-Joyner, gold and silver medalist, track and field, 1988 Seoul; silver medalist, 1984 Los Angeles.

3. Be Resilient
Rather than hide from a mistake at work, admit to it, make it right, and bounce right back. Your honesty will be valued, and you might discover areas in which you—and your organization—can improve. Remember that everyone makes mistakes. “Adversity, if you allow it to, will fortify you and make you the best you can be.” –Kerri Walsh Jennings, gold medalistin women’s volleyball, 2004 Athens; 2008 Beijing, and 2012 London.

4. Be a Risk-taker
Approach risk (a new project; a new job) as a chance to shine rather than an opportunity to crash and burn. No one has ever succeeded by playing it safe! Perhapsboxing champMuhammad Ali, who won gold at the 1960 Rome Games, said it best: “He who is not courageous enough to take risks will accomplish nothing in life.”

5. Be Persistent
Perseverance separates winners from losers. Stay the course, no matter what obstacles you encounter. Success requires commitment and the ability go forward despite setbacks. “If one can stick to the training throughout the many long years, then will power is no longer a problem. It’s raining? That doesn’t matter. I am tired? That’s besides the point. It’s simply that I just have to.”  – Emil Zatopek, (Czech) gold medalist, running—1948 London; 1952 Helsinki.