“Work always pays off”.... This is what my father was used to telling me every time he could see me discouraged, frustrated or angry even. This was years back when I was training hard for competition. I got great rewards and bitter failures, but more importantly I took with me great lessons that I realize, have very much shaped the way I am in my professional life today.
These lessons learned, they have become a way of life more like... Here are my own ones:
1. Sport: It is ok to fall, and critical to get up and repeat all over again and again. Professional life:
RESILIENCE - Giving up is not an option.
2.Sport: Optimum conditions are seldom, your desire to win is determined by how much you are capable of outperforming no matter what the environment is. Professional life: FLEXIBILITY to changes - See obstacles as opportunities.
3. Sport: Perform in competition as if you were at training, not getting intimidated by anyone or anything (how many people are great at training but keep losing in competition?). Professional life: EMOTIONAL INTELLIGENCE - Not getting impressed by anyone, whoever it is and manage well at (high) level of pressure.
4. Sport: Going to a competition with the spirit of participating means you already lost. Professional life: DON’T JUST DO IT, GET IT DONE!
5. Sport: Be good sports and congratulate the winner, no matter how bitter it can be. Professional life: BE HUMBLE AND LEARN - Questioning is key.
6. Sport: Talent is not everything, consistent and tough training are required to raise the bar. Professional life: LEARNING AS PART OF YOUR ROUTINE - Nurturing yourself regularly and get inspired to think ahead.
7. Sport: Winning is not because of you only, but for a great part to anyone who has supported you, in those bad and good days.. Winning means shared success. Professional life: TEAM SPIRIT - Also get to know who your allies are, trust people who trust you.
8. Sport: Winning just doesn’t happen by coincidence: Will and work, work & work do the trick. Professional life: Like my father said, WORK ALWAYS PAYS OFF - Discipline is key.
9. Sport: The one with the best in class gear and/or most fashionable equipment is not necessarily the one who wins. Professional life: DIPLOMA should be ranked last in the evaluation of a professional.
10. Sport: There is a time for everything. Consistently remaining at the top is the hardest thing to achieve, not all can. Professional life: Same :-)... COACHING - Your experience means nothing if you don't help and encourage others to develop themselves.
