Three Olympian Lessons from Tessa Virtue!

“Are you spending any time watching the Winter Olympics?” I am committed to watching the Games on TV because it is like a ‘Master’s’ program in Excellence!! ‘These athletes give it all they’ve got – for an opportunity to reach for the Gold!” Watching and listening to these Olympians gives me inspiration and encouragement to continue to excel and grow my business. I was particularly interested in the Figure Skating because of the early reports that Moir/Virtue would not win the Gold – it was being reported that the Russians and the Americans were doing whatever it took to ensure that the Canadian pair would not win Gold. I wanted to catch every interview that was happening to see/hear how Virtue/Moir were not only handling the pressure, but the influences. Before her final skate performance, Tessa Virtue was asked what drove them to participate in these Games when, in fact, they could have retired after the last Olympic games. She said: “……because we want to be there” “Does it have the look, the feeling that we want” “We don’t want to be doing the same things” These 3 statements are relevant in business, too. Let’s examine. 1) “DO YOU REALLY WANT TO BE IN BUSINESS?“ To many, looking at the world of entrepreneurship from the outside, it looks glamorous. Entrepreneurs have the freedom and flexibility to come and go as they choose. They can plan time off and vacations in off-season times. They can write off their expenses and save on taxes. So many things seem so alluring. In truth, being in business is H.A.R.D. Entrepreneurs work many more hours than it is perceived by the outside world. The stress levels are high. Risks are taken each and every day. This really does relate to the Olympic games because each and every day, as an entrepreneur, we must re-affirm (as Tessa did) that ‘WE WANT TO BE HERE”! Each and every day. Ask yourself the question. Then pay attention to the answer. 2) DOES YOUR BUSINESS HAVE THE LOOK, THE FEELING THAT YOU WANT? Tessa Virtue talked a lot about their visualization habits. Did their skating routine have the ‘look’ and the ‘feeling’ that they wanted as they stepped out in front of the world in Russia. How often have you asked yourself that question in business? Does your business have the look and the feeling you want? Is your messaging clear? Are you consistent with your brand? If not – then it’s time to make some changes. (Stay tuned for our own re-branding soon to be launched! Very exciting! As business evolves, so too should you……and that’s what we’ve done for 2014.) 3) “WE DON’T WANT TO BE DOING THE SAME THINGS.“ Tessa Virtue shared that they needed to make some major changes in their performance for these Olympic games. Their former routine did not have the look and the feeling that they wanted in the quest for the Gold medal. We’ve all heard the old expression: ‘When you keep doing what you’re doing, you’ll keep getting what you’re getting’. Is that what you want for your business? For your life? Change is critical. Make time, on a regular basis, to assess and review your business systems, processes, team members and the way YOU are doing things. “A champion is afraid of losing. Everyone else is afraid of winning.” – Billie Jean King