Lessons From Sports For Every Founder or Entrepreneur
As an active and athletic person interested in a range of sports and disciplines, I’ve often had to be incredibly focused: on training, on competitions, and literally keeping my eye on the ball. It’s so often the same in business. As a tech startup founder, you can’t afford to be distracted, and it’s surprising how many of the same techniques used in my active training are transferable into the business arena. Here are 5 physical activities I’ve enjoyed over the years and the lessons I’ve brought from each of them into the executive teams of the startups I work with.
Tennis – The Mental Game
Tennis is an incredibly physical game, yet many people don’t realize it requires incredible mental strength, too. I was able to build on mine by reading a particular book: Tennis, The Mind Game by Mackenzie and Denlinger. By incorporating the mental focus tips from this book into my practice regime along with training my serve and forehand, I went on to win the Michigan State Championship.
The points that were key included how I handled a lost point, what I did with the time between points or matches, and how I tuned out negative chatter and focused on my own positive self-talk. The same is so true of your early-stage business ventures. Not every deal will be successful. Not every investor will be interested. But with focus, clear planning, and a drive to keep going, you can circumnavigate these setbacks and gain the advantage for future successes.
Basketball – The Importance of Off-Court Effort
Basketball is a team game where every individual gets a chance to shine on the court. But the off-court effort is just as important. Successful basketball players show up above and beyond scheduled training. For example, I used to hate running, but I knew it was great for conditioning my fitness and stamina, so I stuck at it and kept running, even between practice sessions.
Great business leaders do the same. They show up at meetings, they engage, they inspire. But they’re also busy in the background, making deals, engaging with the right people via multiple channels, and even mentoring others in the company.
Downhill Skiing – Finding Your Line
Skiing is one of those sports that’s touted as dangerous but, statistically, is actually pretty safe. In the 2020-21 ski season, 48 people died due to skiing related incidents in North America. This might seem an alarming figure at first, but it’s out of context. Watersports, for example, are considered as dangerous as traffic accidents for the sheer volume of injuries associated with them. Despite that, if a skier is distracted or unprepared, they can definitely experience falls or even collisions with other people on the slope. Skiing involves finding your line, staying focused and determined, whilst also being aware of your surroundings.
Business owners will find this familiar. There are so many distractions when you’re trying to run a business and plan an effective strategy. Use the skiing philosophy to find your line and stick to it, acknowledging the distractions without veering toward them.
Yoga – Time to Breathe
I’m a certified yoga teacher and have been practicing since I was 9 years old. Yoga requires both flexibility and stillness, and allowing time to breathe fully, embracing the moment. As you run your business, it’s important that you embrace this mindset, taking time to pause, reflect, and breathe in the moment. Take stock of where you are and what you need to do next, rather than hurtling breakneck into the next big venture. Your periods of stillness and peace will be the wells of creativity you need to keep your business thriving and relevant in an ever-more crowded market.
Cheerleading – Celebrate Your Achievements
Cheerleading has an exciting and surprising history, from being considered an “all-male” sport (and it is considered a sport in its own right) to being associated primarily with strong, limber young women. The stereotypes are once again being challenged as cheerleading becomes more inclusive, however, the primary focus has always been the same: banding together to drive a team forwards through celebration and positivity.
While some businesses rail against empty cheerleading – the “yes” people who will nod and smile no matter what you say – proper cheerleading means celebrating successes and the team members who help you achieve them. A cheerleading team is one that can rely on each other no matter what. Building that same trust in your own organization can help you succeed where your competitors fall down.
Final Word
I’ve brought any number of the lessons from my sporting career and hobbies to Arch Collective, turning them into advice for founders and their marketing teams, along with the wealth of experience from helping other ventures grow and succeed. If you need more advice for founders and entrepreneurs, book a 15-minute introductory call with our team who can quickly connect you to the right freelancer or other solution to help your tech proposition grow.
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