Win Like Tiger
Filed Under: Labels: continuous improvement, entrepreneurship, personal development, positive thinking, professional development, sports, successI'm a huge sports fan, so I spend a lot of time reading about about sports teams and athletes. I love to read articles and stories about championship teams and players and what helped them to become the best. Much can be gleaned from sports franchises and athletes that relates to winning in business.
Of all the sports that are played in the world, golf is probably the one that is most similar to entrepreneurship (especially businesses that only have a few employees). I say that because every weekend golfers have to compete against dozens of other golfers who are the best at what they do. And unlike sports such as football, basketball, and baseball, in golf there is not a team of people that you can rely on to win the game while you're playing. Even though golfers have coaches, advisors, and assistants, they can't come with them on the course.
When most people think of championship-caliber golfers, the person that usually comes to mind first is arguably the best golfer to ever play the game, Tiger Woods. As we have already seen this year with him winning his first four tournaments, he seems to be constantly getting better (if that's even possible for him). In a story about Tiger written last week, Steve DiMeglio of USAToday.com wrote:
"So how has Woods continued to elevate his game, even after reaching the No. 1 ranking? Fellow athletes, sports analysts, business leaders and others say he's done so by meshing his considerable physical talent with a combination of focus, commitment, strategy and nerve that is unlike anything they've ever seen."
In that same story, the author outlined five key factors that keeps Tiger at the top of his game and consistently in front of his competitors. There are some definite applications to you as an entrepreneur. Here's their list:
- The mind game: Never stop learning and don't let anyone out-think you.
- Finding motivation: Cultivate an internally-motivated, passionate, relentless, "refuse-to-lose" attitude.
- Fit and rested: Take care of your body, because your health is the most important thing that you have.
- Confidence to change: Don't be afraid to mess with success, especially when you know you can get better.
- A unique talent: Determine the special qualities that you have/need to be the best.
Empowering Champions,
Paul Wilson, Jr.
"Five Keys to a Game that Remains on the Upswing" by Steve DiMeglio at USAToday.com
http://www.usatoday.com/sports/golf/pga/2008-03-20-Tiger_N.htm
"The Habit of Winning" by Me
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