All eyes are on Rio for the 2016 Summer Games. While it’s fun to watch the world’s greatest athletes go head-to-head in competition, there are some very important life lessons everyone can learn from watching them.
Let’s say you already consider yourself successful in most areas of your life; the Olympics can inspire you to take it to the next level. Or, let’s say you’re still trying to find your way in your career, personal life or just in achieving some goal you’ve never been able to conquer; watching the Olympics can help with that, too.
Here are 5 ways that watching the Olympics will inspire everyone for greatness.
1. Consciousness is contagious
They say you are who you hang around with and spend the most time with. The reason: consciousness is contagious. Nobody is saying you should dump your closest friends based on their level of success, but the fact is the results you achieve in life are usually pretty similar to the people you spend the most time with.
Fit people spend time with fit people. Religious people spend time with religious people. Rich people spend time with other rich people. Why do you think Olympians live and train together? They push each other to the ultimate level of greatness both physically and mentally.
2. Overcome obstacles
If there’s any group of people who know how to overcome obstacles, it’s Olympic athletes. They embrace conflict for growth.
When most people run into an obstacle, they seek escape. Olympic athletes have a plan to push forward when this happens and learn all they can from the challenge. They know facing adversity is part of being successful.
When most people are ready to throw in the towel because they’re too tired or unmotivated to do something, they quit. Olympic athletes face the same challenges as the rest of us, but they don’t let it stop them.
3. Never stop learning
Isn’t it ironic that the people who desperately need coaching are the first ones to ignore it, yet those who are at the top of their games can’t get enough of it? That’s because the most successful people in anything know school is never out and they must keep learning to get better. Olympic athletes are at the top of their game, yet they spend so much time practicing, watching replays of their performance and strategizing with their coaches.
If you want to be the best at something, you must commit yourself to ongoing learning.
4. “Do or die” commitments
One of the greatest lessons we can all learn from Olympians is their level of mental toughness. While most people are halfway committed to their diet, career and dreams, Olympic athletes make do or die commitments. When most people are burned out from the battle, Olympians are just getting warmed up.
It’s not that they don’t fatigue, but their commitment to their dream of winning the gold keeps them going.
5. Think big
Olympians think big. Ask most people what they’re thinking at any given time, and you might be surprised to learn how many think about just getting by. That’s called selling yourself short.
Olympians are fearless and focused on manifesting their ultimate dream of bringing home the gold. If you ask every athlete in Rio if they think they are going to win the gold, they would all tell you yes. They fully believe in themselves and their abilities, and nothing you could say will talk them out of it. They think big and therefore get big results.
If you’re struggling to accomplish a goal, maybe it’s time to up your expectations.
The Takeaway
If you’re tired of the status quo and achieving average results, it’s time to change your game plan. Watch the Summer Olympics and enjoy it, but more importantly, pay close attention to these great athletes who are competing at the highest level. I promise it will make you better in every area of your life.
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Steve Siebold is a former professional athlete, mental toughness and psychological performance coach to athletes, entrepreneurs and Fortune 500 management teams. He is author of 177 Mental Toughness Secrets of The World Class.
Featured photo by Rory