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Anyone who’s tried their hand at playing sports knows that we learn some of life’s greatest lessons through sports. Perseverance, discipline, and teamwork are all recurring themes that we’ve witnessed from the bleachers or through our screens. But the great thing about the hard-earned lessons we learn on the field or mat is that they don’t only apply to fitness and sportsmanship, but in all aspects of life — especially in the professional world. After all, athletes are put through incredible amounts of pressure that are akin to modern day work environments. Here are some of those nuggets of wisdom that you might want to apply in order to thrive in the workplace:
1. Hard work pays off
For athletes, natural talent can only take you so far. You need to put in the blood, sweat and tears (literally) to achieve gains, improve athletic performance, and overcome hurdles. Tennis elite Serena Williams, for instance, was on bed rest after a difficult pregnancy, but spent a lot of hours on the court to regain her status as one of the greats.
Similarly, hard work is your ticket to success as a professional. The first lesson from Muay Thai (highlighted right here on Sterling Career Concepts) is this: You get out of it exactly what you put into it. This doesn’t just apply to searching for jobs, but to everything else that comes after. There will always be obstacles to overcome — being a woman, perhaps, in a male-dominated field — but persistence and commitment can take you a lot further in the professional world.
2. Working smart also yields results
That said, you also need to learn where to direct your attention and how to be more efficient. This is called smart work. Four-time MVP and Los Angeles Lakers star player LeBron James exemplifies training smart, as he’s refined every aspect of his game down to his sleeping habits.
At work, it’s not about being the last one to leave the office. It’s about knowing how to prioritize tasks well and managing your time so that you don’t have to spend more energy than you need to. Working smart also ensures that you remain on top of your game and don’t burn out easily.
3. Find a work-play balance
Athletes train hard, but they also play hard. Whether it’s Tiger Woods’ lesser known fishing hobby, Lolo Jones’ affinity for dancing, or Tim Duncan’s love for Dungeons & Dragons, it’s all about finding a balance between work and play. Without hobbies or outlets, it’s easy to get burned out.
Being a working professional is the same. We’ve all heard the saying, “Choose a job you love and you’ll never have to work a day in your life.” However, too many of us don’t have the pleasure of working in a field they’re passionate about, and for those who do, it’s still unhealthy to focus your entire life on the job. You need to learn how to separate work from your life outside of it. If you have something you look forward to during the weekends, for example, you’ll be more motivated and might even find more excitement in your work.
4. Push past your comfort zone
It’s very tempting to never venture out of your comfort zone in sports or at work. In the world of fitness, that’s equivalent to reaching a plateau, a place no athlete ever wants to be stuck in.
This won’t leave much room for personal and professional growth. Special Counsel Regional Vice President and avid triathlete Ryan Becker explains that being uncomfortable is a sign that you’re actually pushing past your comfort zone. Of course, you can keep doing the same things you know you’ve already mastered, but with testing your limits comes the possibility of more accomplishments and fulfilment.
5. Celebrate your success
French soccer player Paul Pogba is known for many things — including being Manchester United’s current star player and the team’s most expensive signing. But he’s also famous for his funny celebrations.
With this in mind, Trepoint Founder and CEO Bill Carmody argues that celebrating your success creates more excitement in your mind that can continue to fuel your work. There’s absolutely nothing wrong with celebrating your accomplishments Pogba-style, especially if it’s something that you’ve worked hard for.
