Olympic Dreams: Did the Olympics Inspire Your Inner Entrepreneur?

We have just watched the world’s best athletes compete at the highest level. The games make us all nationalists, competitors, sports analysts and brings out the inner athletes in all of us. But the Olympics are more than those brief moments of gold or not. The Olympics showcase the discipline, determination, and sheer willpower that it takes to achieve greatness. These lessons go far beyond sports.

The Magnitude of a Olympic Dream

As I watched and dreamt of being a gymnast, a breaker or surfing I knew I was really watching the discipline, consistency, goal setting, visualization, adversity, support, competition, teamwork, leadership and the weight of the expectations of a nation on the Olympic athletes. I had a difficult time watching the Olympics in real time. I needed to know the outcome before I could watch the games.

I am not sure if its the mother in me that imagined the parents anxiously watching their children perform and praying all goes well. Or if it’s this time in my life trying to rebuild my businesses reminds me of the daily work it takes to be successful. Or if its because after 15 years of running a business I know the work it takes to get to the top. And once you make it to the top, the expectations of repeating in order to repeat. I was just the watcher but the magnitude of each Olympic moment was fraught with knowing how much it takes to get to the top and wanting every athlete to win gold.

Each contest was inspiring. And as I thought about what it took for these athletes to compete, I couldn’t help but think of the valuable insights we can learn about entrepreneurship and leadership.

The Power of Discipline and Consistency

Olympic athletes train for years, often a lifetime, for the chance to compete at the highest level. Their success is not just the result of natural talent but of relentless discipline and consistency. For entrepreneurs, this is a powerful reminder that success in business is a marathon, not a sprint. Building a successful company requires consistent effort, even on the days when motivation is low. Just like an athlete trains daily to improve, entrepreneurs must work consistently on their business, refining strategies, and staying focused on long-term goals.

Setting Clear Goals and Visualizing Success

Olympic athletes set specific, measurable goals and visualize their success long before they step onto the field or track. This clarity of purpose guides their training and keeps them focused on their ultimate objective. Entrepreneurs can benefit from this approach by setting clear, actionable goals for their business. By visualizing success—whether it’s reaching a revenue milestone, launching a new product, or expanding into new markets—entrepreneurs can maintain motivation and stay aligned with their mission.

We talked about goal setting a lot on The What Now Movement! Here’s one of my favorites!

Resilience in the Face of Adversity

The Simone Biles of Tokyo was gone and the Paris, France one was completely different. She seemed happier and ready to face the weight of the event. When she fell off the balance beam, it was hard to watch. Again, the expectations. But, it didn’t stop her from competing and winning a silver on the floor routine. That’s resilience at its finest.

Every athletes faces setbacks, whether it’s an injury, a loss, or a challenge that tests their limits. What sets them apart is their resilience—their ability to bounce back, learn from their experiences, and keep moving forward. Entrepreneurship is the same. We constantly have to mitigate, failures, mistakes, and unforeseen obstacles. But like an Olympian, an entrepreneur must have the resilience to persevere, adapt, and continue striving for success despite the hurdles.

The Importance of a Strong Support System

No Olympian succeeds alone. Behind every athlete is a team of coaches, trainers, family members, and supporters who help them reach their potential. I loved the videos that showed the families watching their athletes winning. Watching the joy was almost as good as watching the athletes competing. In the business world, the same principle applies. Entrepreneurs need a strong support system—whether it’s a co-founder, mentors, advisors, and especially a dedicated team.

Let Your Competition Drive Your Success

The Olympics are the pinnacle of competition, where the best athletes in the world push each other to new heights. I love how the swimming and running competitions. It’s an individual effort but you have to be so aware of the person in another lane that is seconds behind you.

The same applies for entrepreneurs. We have to run our business as effectively, efficiently and creatively as we can. But competition can be a powerful motivator as well. I see you Small Business Lady! Instead of fearing competitors, embrace them. Study what they’re doing well, learn from their strategies, use this knowledge to refine your own approach and define your business against them.

Healthy competition drives innovation and keeps you striving to be better, just as athletes use their rivals to do better.

The Value of Rest and Recovery

The hashtag for this blog is #HealthyWealthyWise. Building a business is demanding, and it’s soooo easy to fall into the trap of working nonstop. I learned early on that if I didn’t take time out for fun and exercise that I’d burnout and gain weight. I called it the Entrepreneur 10 pounds. Today, I’ve added meditation and gratitude to my routine.

Olympians know that rest and recovery are as important as training. Without it, they risk burnout and injury. We, too, must recognize the importance of taking breaks and prioritizing self-care. However, maintaining a sustainable pace and ensuring time for rest and rejuvenation is crucial for long-term success.

Celebrating Milestones and Successes

The joy of winning a medal, even participating in the Olympics, is a moment of immense pride and celebration for athletes. Entrepreneurs should also take time to celebrate their victories, big or small. Recognizing and celebrating milestones not only boosts morale but also provides a sense of accomplishment that can fuel future efforts. Who else was surprised that was Steph Curry’s first gold?

With all that he has achieved, winning a gold medal was a milestone that he’s wanted. And in the gold medal came he made it happen.

I have an Olympic moment each time I reach my goals. I can’t wait to reach 10,000 entrepreneurs and $1M in sales. I will post my Night, night picture.

Let’s Channel the Olympic Spirit in Entrepreneurship

These athletes on the world stage inspire millions with their performances, the lessons they embody go far beyond sports. The stories behind these athletes make us cry. When I saw their families celebrate or look of concern, my heart went out to them. I appreciated the support, resilience and commitment the athletes and their families took to get to Paris. They deserved all the flowers when they medaled.

If we take all the moments from the Paris Olympics and channel the Olympic spirit into their own ventures, we will have built a legacy and achieved our own gold medals.

Share your GOLD moments of glory with me in the comments below!