About Paris 2024: How to bring an athlete's winning mindset to make your way to the top
Oliver Eckart
Digitalize and rise with AI. Building brands, platforms, teams to make growth happen. D2C Nike L'Oréal RTL Disney FitnessFirst SaaS, Interim, Advisory Board, CS50
"Unbelievable! Is she even human... So casual. A new Olympic record."
With the Olympics 2024 in Paris just wrapped up, we've all been reminded of the power of human potential. Whether it's watching athletes push the limits of what's possible or seeing underdogs rise to the occasion, the Olympics are a global stage where inspiration and motivation take center stage. As someone who has spent a lifetime immersed in sports and leadership, I can't help but see the parallels between athletic excellence and career success. The mindset that drives Olympians to greatness is the same one that can propel you to new heights in your professional life.?
Some inspirations wanted before we dive into the topic?
Let’s dive into four game-changing strategies that athletes use to stay ahead, and how you can apply them to your career to achieve your own victories.
1. Master the Art of the Present Moment, When it Matters
Winners don’t crack under pressure. Picture this: It’s the last minutes of the 4th quarter in the Men s Basketball final FRA - USA. US was leading the whole game, but in the 3rd and 4th quarter, France got close by 6points. The crowd is on its feet, the pressure is intense,. What separates the gold medalists from the rest? Their ability to stay laser-focused on the present. Kevin and Steph showed throughout the game their incredible talent to take the hot potato in the last seconds of an attack and make the points, when it matters, 3 points of course.?
In the workplace, being fully present can be your secret weapon. When you’re juggling multiple projects or facing tight deadlines, staying in the moment helps you keep your cool and make smart decisions. Forget about the last meeting that didn’t go well or the mountain of work waiting for you tomorrow. Focus on what you can control right now, and watch how your productivity and decision-making soar.
?Talking about art. The photo of Brazil surfer Gabriel Medina by Jér?me Brouillet is epic. It looks fake, but if you see the full video, you understand the art and eye, Jér?me has, trained in years over years. Like Picasso said (not literally): the picture did not took him a moment, it took him a lifetime to be able to make the picture.
2. Run Your Own Race?
Have you seen the Dutch runner Femke in 4 x 400m races?
and the one last year?
Being at position 4 in the last relay, far behind USA, the number one so far. Hopeless. And she runs out all competitor, making it look effortless. Smiling and jumping after winning with a new OR. Legacy. One of the most inspiring things I have seen in a while. “superhuman. Is she even human?” said the commentator? Femke said, she knew she would have to run fast from the beginning. She knew it would hurt, but she was hoping her legs would take her to the end anyway. It hurt a lot.” This is true DNA about the Olympics, seeing athletes from all walks of life, each on their own unique journey. The best athletes don’t waste time worrying about what their competitors are doing—they’re too busy fine-tuning their own performance. Take a page from their playbook: instead of comparing yourself to your colleagues or chasing someone else’s career path, focus on becoming the best version of yourself.
In the office, this means setting your own goals and measuring your success against your progress—not someone else’s. When you’re locked into your own journey, you’re not just working; you’re building a legacy. Plus, you’ll find that your confidence grows, and with it, your ability to take on bigger challenges.
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3. See It to Achieve It
Duplantis breaking his own world record in pole vault.
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Duplantis looks like a normal mortal. At the age of 4 he was jumping from sofa to sofa at home, with a small wooden stick. Athletes don’t just train their bodies; they train their minds by vividly imagining their success. Whether it’s sinking the game-winning shot or crossing the finish line first, they’ve already “seen” it happen in their minds. The Olympics are full of stories where mental preparation made all the difference. These people have a vision. Vision comes from visualization. Getting there is a result of seeing yourself In the future moment and make this the carrot that takes you there along a very long path. Formula1 racer, downhill biker, freestyle snowboarder etc they all “walk” through every step of their race to be prepared for the expected and ready for the unexpected.?
You can use the same strategy in your career. Before a big presentation, meeting, or project, take a few moments to visualize everything going perfectly. See yourself in the future moment, yourself and the other people that matter. Imagine yourself nailing every point, impressing your audience, and walking out with the win. This mental rehearsal can boost your confidence and performance, making you more likely to succeed when it counts. Earn it.
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4. Feedback is Gold?
If there’s one thing athletes know, it’s that feedback is gold. Every critique, every piece of advice, is a chance to improve. Whether it’s a coach pointing out a flaw in their technique or a teammate offering tips, athletes thrive on constructive feedback.
Do you know, why Jamaica is so successful in running? They are part of the same coaching ?MCPTrackClub. Coaching is solid feedback system:
Golden runners like Elaine Thompson Herah, Shelly Ann Fraser-Pryce, Shericka Jackson, Asafa Powel, Junelle Bromfield, Shericka Jackson can tell a story.
More on feedback for managers here:
In your career, feedback is just as crucial. Instead of shying away from it, seek it out. Treat every piece of feedback as a stepping stone to getting better. When you view feedback as a tool for growth rather than criticism, you’ll find yourself improving faster and reaching your goals more efficiently. Remember, even the greatest Olympians had coaches who pushed them to be better—so why not welcome that push in your career?
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5.Final Whistle: Keep the Balance?
Malaika Mihambo?is certainly the best female long iump athlete. She is.
“I can’t breath” she signals to her coach. Nevertheless she continues the finals.
In Paris she “only” wins silver with 6,98m and has to leave the stadium on a wheel chair, tears in her eyes. When ill, stay home. But if you “can’t”, it is your overall condition, the way ?you treat yourself, that may give you the last energy bit, you need to get going. Harmful maybe, but for a cause. 4 years of training, you don’t want to miss the moment you have worked for so hard. ??
Just like athletes need time to rest and recover, you too need to strike a balance between work and life. Burnout is real, and ignoring your need for downtime can lead to diminishing returns. Learn from the pros—sometimes, taking a step back is the best way to propel yourself forward.
So, as we reflect on the incredible feats we witnessed at the Olympics, let’s harness that inspiration and start applying these athlete-inspired strategies to our careers. Whether you’re chasing a promotion, leading a team, or launching a new project, these tactics can help you go the distance. Remember, it’s not just about working harder—it’s about working smarter, with the mindset of a champion. Game on!
Fotos by: Jér?me Brouillet (surfer), Philipp Collignon (dog), Kai Pfaffenbach / DLV (long jump), Olympics 2024 House of highlights YouTube (basketball)
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Oliver Eckart what you see is the story you sell 2 yourself....