Optimism in Action

“The one with the right mindset will win”. I heard this a lot from commentators during the Olympics.

In watching some incredible performances, we were reminded once again that success isn’t just about physical talent, strength or skill, - it’s about mindset too. Time and time again, we saw the impact of mental agility and optimism on athletes’ performances. And of course, their mental preparation offers parallels to how we can achieve the results we want in our own lives.

As someone who has spent years studying what drives results - especially during challenges - one thing that always stands out is that success starts with mindset. Especially optimism, which is a foundational pillar for peak performance, and the Olympics showed us this in action.

The Mindset of Champions?

One of the most interesting examples from Paris is Australian high jumper Nicola Olyslagers, who brought a huge mental game to every single jump. After each attempt, Nicola used a journal to record technical feedback alongside motivational quotes, which helped her to mentally reset. This practice of pausing, reflecting, learning and planning kept her sharp, even when facing setbacks. In these moments, it wasn't just her physical training that moved her forward, but her ability to reset mentally and keep her optimism intact after each jump.

Similarly, marathoner Sinead Diver, competing at 47 years old, showed us that mindset can overcome age. Diver has spoken extensively about the importance of mindfulness and mental preparation to stay competitive in one of the most physically and mentally demanding events at the Olympics. Diver’s story is a testament to the power of optimism and perseverance, qualities that allowed her to continue thriving at an elite level when many others might have given up.

What can we learn from Elite Athletes?

So, what does this mean for us? Whether we’re leading teams, striving for exceptional results or pushing through adversity in our careers, we can all take insights from the Games. These athletes demonstrate that mindset isn’t just an add-on to success - it’s one of the foundations of it. And the same goes for us.

Optimism is a set of beliefs about the future. Optimists believe that tomorrow can be better, and as a result, they tend to put more effort into today. They persist through challenges and setbacks because they see hurdles as opportunities rather than roadblocks. This mindset allows them to innovate, to problem-solve, and to keep moving forward even when the odds seem stacked against them. Because they think positively about the future, they tend to make it so. On the other hand, pessimists, who have less favourable expectations about the future, often put in less effort and when there are bumps in the road, they’re more likely to give up.

Just as athletes like Olyslagers and Diver rely on their mindset to stay competitive, we too can rely on optimism to keep us moving toward our goals, even when the going gets tough.

What are the benefits?

It’s not just anecdotal evidence that supports this idea - science backs it up as well. Studies have shown that optimism can significantly impact performance, engagement resilience, and overall wellbeing - the key pillars for success. Optimistic salespeople, for instance, tend to outperform their pessimistic counterparts by as much as 20-40%. Optimism also plays a critical role in how resilient we are and how we manage stress. Optimists tend to be happier and more energetic, they have greater wellbeing, better physical health, live longer and?have stronger and longer-lasting relationships.

It’s not just about seeing the glass as half full - ?it’s about believing that with effort, the future will be better than the present. And with that belief comes the determination to make it so. And the good news is that optimism can be learned and improved.

So, how are you shaping your mindset today to achieve what you want in the future?