Originally published on pinoria.com
While it might seem unusual to compare the work of an athlete to that of an entrepreneur, there are many excellent traits one can take away to set their new business up for success. Athletes are well known for pushing themselves to compete at extreme levels and have a mindset that enables them to accomplish the unthinkable. In this article, Keith Orie discusses multiple ways athletes and entrepreneurs are alike.
Be Specific in What You Want to Accomplish
As an entrepreneur, the goals you set at the beginning can oftentimes be vague or unclear. The vision might be a grand gesture, but the steps to get there might be unknown. Alternatively, athletes almost always know the specific goal they wish to achieve and understand the work and dedication it will take to get there.
As an entrepreneur, one can learn from athletes by starting with breaking down the ultimate goal into multiple milestones, or small wins. Each small goal helps push you and your business one step closer to achieving your dreams. Small wins allow you to remain grounded in the existing work but also enable drive and dedication to work harder to go above and beyond.
Embrace the Pressure
Just like an athlete, an entrepreneur must be able to perform under immense pressure. Whether all eyes are on you waiting for your next move or hardships are presented, you must be aware of your surroundings and find a way to make sound decisions. There are always times of uncertainty and chaos. It is vital to maintain confidence, keep calm, and focus on how to navigate and perform to the best of your ability.
Don’t Give Up
Similar to being an athlete, it takes determination and self-discipline to carry on even when the odds seem like they are not in your favor. Resiliency is key, and it is vital to identify areas for improvement while constantly striving for greatness. Both athletes and entrepreneurs must be committed to the cause and not give up, even when it seems like it is the easier path. It is also crucial to learn from losses. Like an athlete, not every race or goal will end in a medal or victory. Learn from the losses or failures and find a way to move forward in growth.
Be in the Zone
Just like a participant in a race or a competition, an entrepreneur must be able to ground themselves and be fully in the moment of the task at hand. It can be easy to get distracted; multitasking across projects, initiatives, and issues are commonplace in the workforce these days. To be successful, one must determine how to remain present and focus on the immediate issue at hand.
Competition is Good to a Certain Extent
Competition can be beneficial as it keeps a business from becoming complacent or risk-averse. An entrepreneur must have the mentality to push themselves beyond their comfort zone, take risks, and explore the unknown to find new ways to expand or promote their business. However, they must try to avoid the dark side of the competition, which is comparison. Competition is phenomenal in pushing yourself to the next level of achievement, but at the end of the day, make sure that the goals you set for yourself and your business are truly in your best interest and can be obtained independently.
About Keith Orie
Keith Orie is a customer-oriented entrepreneur and owner of Advanced Medical Sales, LLC. He started the company to give patients a chance to live a life not dependent on pain relief medication or invasive procedures. By providing medical professionals access to an extensive range of top-of-the-line durable medical equipment, he helps provide patients with effective pain relief treatment.