For those of you who know me, you know that I couldn’t miss the opportunity to talk about this year’s French Open and the achievements of Roger Federer. What I love about Roger’s journey to becoming the best player ever to play men’s tennis, is that it’s full of lessons that you and I and everyone in business can learn from.
1. Just because some things come easy, it doesn’t mean that you can take them for granted. Roger is a gifted player but he works very hard on his mindset, his game, his strategy, his image, and his self-development.
2. Just because you suffer some losses doesn’t mean that you give up on what got you there. It doesn’t mean you have to panic or that you need to quit. Roger has had a few dips along the way to capturing the French Open. The biggest one was the emphatic loss last year to Rafael Nadal. But Roger never quit, he never panicked, he never lost his commitment to good habits, and on Sunday this paid off.
3. Sometimes the greatest competition you face is between your ears. Being able to focus on what you can control, to commit to your “to be” goals, and to trust in your preparation and hard work is the key to overcoming your fears and in achieving your potential.
When Roger Federer was unbeatable he was fascinating to watch. But when he started losing, the press started pressuring him, and fans began questioning him – he became the greatest ever.
What if this current economy, the restructuring of your organization, or the growing pressures from the competition is just what you need to become the greatest ever? Do you have the habits, the hard work, the focus and the trusting mindset to make it happen?
By Scott Peltin, Founder, Director of Performance
TIGNUM - Institute for Sustainable High Performance
1. Just because some things come easy, it doesn’t mean that you can take them for granted. Roger is a gifted player but he works very hard on his mindset, his game, his strategy, his image, and his self-development.
2. Just because you suffer some losses doesn’t mean that you give up on what got you there. It doesn’t mean you have to panic or that you need to quit. Roger has had a few dips along the way to capturing the French Open. The biggest one was the emphatic loss last year to Rafael Nadal. But Roger never quit, he never panicked, he never lost his commitment to good habits, and on Sunday this paid off.
3. Sometimes the greatest competition you face is between your ears. Being able to focus on what you can control, to commit to your “to be” goals, and to trust in your preparation and hard work is the key to overcoming your fears and in achieving your potential.
When Roger Federer was unbeatable he was fascinating to watch. But when he started losing, the press started pressuring him, and fans began questioning him – he became the greatest ever.
What if this current economy, the restructuring of your organization, or the growing pressures from the competition is just what you need to become the greatest ever? Do you have the habits, the hard work, the focus and the trusting mindset to make it happen?
By Scott Peltin, Founder, Director of Performance
TIGNUM - Institute for Sustainable High Performance
totally agree....there was another big loss in his carrer that formed him...he coach died in a car accident. i guess that was also a turning point for him to focus on his to be goals.
roger is a role model and as you wrote this can be applied to the business world. the level of preparation is just great and not seen in an office
Posted by: Peter Sage | June 10, 2009 at 03:57 PM
Great insights!
Gary Mack used to say the most important muscle is between our ears.
Additional thoghts...
http://tennis.com/yourgame/sportsscience/sportsscience.aspx?id=170120
Posted by: Brad | June 10, 2009 at 03:13 PM