I love reading autobiographies of athletes as it can really offer an insight into their mindset, and there are some secrets of successful athletes we could all learn from. I love to learn how they achieved what they did and how they dealt with the setbacks and persevered, despite adversity. If we adopt some of the great athletes' mental beliefs, I believe we can all achieve great things. So here are some secrets of successful athletes to help you on your way.
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1. If You Want It, You Must Earn It
One of the ultimate secrets of successful athletes is their knowledge that nothing worth doing was ever easy. This is one of my mantras too. Achieving your goals can be difficult and takes hard work and determination. That's one thing we can learn from successful athletes who have put their minds to achieving that goal. Whether it be that gold medal or beating their personal best, their mindset is such that they want it so much but know they must work hard to achieve it.
2. The Power of Experience
Experience teaches us so much, so don't underestimate its power. Your experience in life will help you in so many ways. It can keep you grounded and stronger when the going gets tough. People assume that when you're younger, you're stronger, and sometimes, for certain sports this is true. However, you will also have to experience the highs and lows of life to enable you to become stronger mentally.
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3. Keep on Keeping on
Just keep going and when you fall, dust yourself off and try again. Successful athletes work hard and train hard. Often they have a brief age window in which to work, but this isn't true of all sports and certainly isn't true in all other careers. Perseverance is key in all aspects of life and with whatever it is you're working towards at home, college or work. There are many examples of successful athletes, such as Edna Campbell, who have battled cancer and achieved great things despite their illness.
4. The Benefits of Perspective
Successful athletes know how important it is to have some down-time and put things into perspective. This time can enable you to think and reflect and seek exactly what it is you want to achieve. Without taking that time out, you may just be traveling on a trajectory you don't necessarily want to be on. Take the time out to reflect and things will become so much clearer for you.
5. Embrace Disappointments
Setbacks are not a bad thing and even the greatest athletes have had disappointments along the way. Successful athletes don't let these disappointments and setbacks hold them back or stop them from training for that next big event. They use it to their advantage, knowing that everything happens for a reason. They also use these situations to learn from so that they can become better at what they do.
6. Break down Your Goals
Sometimes, not always, it may not be possible to achieve your ultimate goal straight away in life. Athletes know it takes time to work towards that Olympic gold dream. But if you break down your goals into manageable chunks, it will make that ultimate 'gold medal' of achievements easier to accomplish. If you want to be a writer for example, start with trying to get your work published in a college magazine then work towards local publications. This experience will help you to achieve that ultimate goal you're working towards.
7. Dreams Can Come True
This is the ultimate mantra of the successful athlete and it's what helps them keep on keeping on. As the singer Gabrielle once said, dreams can come true. You just have to believe in yourself and your abilities and stay strong through everything life throws at you. It will be worth it in the end!
These are just a few key secrets of great athletes that we can all learn from. What other key mantras have I missed out?
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