Two things we can learn from the very best
Tony Fields
Helping Ambitious Men Achieve Peak Performance Without Compromise ?? | Over 100 Men Coached | Award Winning Performance Expert | National Conference Speaker ??
Serena Williams has won more Tennis Majors than any other female tennis player in history.
As I am writing this, the 23-time grand slam singles champion has just played the final match of her career at the US Open. She is currently ranked 605th in the World, yet it is not her achievements that struck me this week...
There are 2 things that Serena Williams said after her victories in the US Open which really struck a cord and gives a unique insight into how the very best elite athletes think...
Firstly, after her first round win Serena Williams said "I'm just thinking about just this moment. I think it's good for me just to live in the moment now." It would have been so easy to think about what comes after the tournament, to worry about what life without tennis will mean.
This can also ring true in our business lives.
We can spend so much time second guessing what will happen. We constantly worry about things outside of our control. Like Serena, how can you start to live more in the present?
Take a few moments out of your busy day today to appreciate all that you have. This might be as simple as really enjoying the last few days of the summer holidays with your children before they go back to school. Or you may take stock of how far you have come in your professional career. This won't happen overnight, however when you do this regularly, this will start to have a very positive impact on your levels of happiness.
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Secondly when asked whether her second round win (against the 2nd seed) exceeded her expectations Serena Williams said; “No I’m just Serenaâ€.
This was such a simple yet powerful thing to say. It is so natural to question our abilities, and to measure ourselves against others. If things don't go to plan our default approach is often to be very self critical. When you start to focus on YOU alone, things start to change.
How can you start to be yourself more of the time?
A good place to start is to give yourself a regular pat on the back. This will feel strange to begin with and may feel quite alien, however stick with it. Take 10 minutes out this week, and reflect on what you have done that you are proud of?
I am excited to reveal that I will be discussing these topics in more detail in a LinkedIn Live event on the 13th September. This will include how you can improve your levels of happiness and re-discover that motivation you once had. More information to follow about this very shortly!