During Beijing Olympics, 200 m butterfly finals, Michael Phelps goggles were filled with water and he had 75 meters yet to swim. Still, he ended up wining the seventh gold medal in Olympics.
When I read this story, I was very intrigued. This inspired me to learn more about his preparation and mindset which makes him the most decorated Olympian and learn what goes behind making such an extraordinary performance. Behind every gold medal was countless hours of silent work. Behind the records were battles with anxiety, depression, and the unbearable weight of expectations. It was sheer mindset – the mental edge which enabled the elite athletes such as Michael Phelps to deliver their best when it is needed the most.
It became the inspiration behind the conceptualization of “Champion Mindset™” Program. Because the mindset that carries an Olympian through their toughest hours is the same mindset that can transform how we show up in our own lives, in boardrooms, workplaces, homes, and within ourselves.
June 23rd is International Olympic Day. At its core, Olympic Day is a global celebration of something much more powerful: the human capacity to grow. It is aboutexcellence pursued with purpose. But perhaps most importantly, it is a reminder thatgreatness lives in all of us. Not as a trait, but as a choice.
Three Mindset Shifts Every Champion Makes
- A growth mindset is the foundation of progress: A champion is the one who is always striving to become better and set the higher standards for next performance. Imbibing a growth mindset helps us to look failures in positive light and learn from them rather than avoiding failures.
- Achieving excellence is a process, not an outcome: Phelps did not wait for the big stage to perform. Phelps famously trained harder and longer than anyone else, pushing the boundaries of his physical abilities. His mantra was simple:“You can’t put a limit on anything. The more you dream, the farther you get.”This work ethic didn’t just elevate his own performance; it set a standard for his entire team.
- Resilience is about rising, not resisting: Even best performers have bad days, months or sometimes even years. What enables them to sail through these is the muscle of resilience which they build over time. At one point, Phelps walked away from swimming to fight his inner demons. When he returned, he was not chasing medals. He was chasing meaning.
You may not be preparing for a swim, but you are showing up for something important: a business presentation, achieving sales targets, a leadership challenge, a dream that demands more of you. That journey requires more than skill. It requires a shift in mindset.
TheChampion Mindset™ Programis designed to help business professionals and leaders achieve their possible best v/s personal best version of themselves. All of us carry this potential to become the champion in our chosen careers. Now is the time to discover and unleash it.
If you are ready to operate with the clarity and commitment of a true Olympian, explore ourChampion Mindset™ Programand begin building the habits that lead to lasting impact in work, in life, and within yourself.