By Terry L. Brock
“Good morning, Mr. Phelps. Your mission, should you decide to accept it, is to achieve success gaining 8 gold medals during the 2008 Olympics in Beijing, China. The task will be more than difficult. You must sacrifice daily. Oh, and you get to consume 12,000 calories a day! And one more thing, Mr. Phelps — this memory will not self-destruct!”
We have been mesmerized and thrilled to watch Michael Phelps win gold medal after gold medal in the 2008 Olympics. But it doesn’t come easy. His daily regimen consists of training for 5 hours a day, 6 days a week relentlessly.
I had to pause and think about what he has done and how you and I can apply these principles to our own lives in business. Here are some principles I see that you and I can take from his great achievement and apply to our own lives:
1. Turn A Negative Into A Positive. As a child, Michael Phelps had ADHD, Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder. He probably was called names. People looked at him funny, etc. However, he got interested in swimming as a way to deal with that energy and channeled it into good use. We all have negatives. Stuff happens to each of us. What can you do to turn your negative into a positive? When life hands you lemons, don’t just make lemonade—make champagne! Phelps sure did!
2. Discipline Yourself Mercilessly. I don’t know, but I’ll bet that Michael has had many days when he wakes up and would rather do something other than swim more laps in a pool! After the 100 billionth time (probably seems like that to him!) he probably could justify taking it easy, taking a break, relaxing. Hey, if someone has already won a gold medal, it is easy to just sit back and take the easy road. But that is not the way for Mr. Phelps. He’s at it working and following the instructions of his coach, Bob Bowman. He listens to his coach. He does what the coach says to do. He is open to learning and growing. What if you were to decide on that one thing you really want to achieve in your life and get the right coach? Then what if you discipline yourself mentally and physically to achieve that goal? I’ll bet you’d be surprised at the good you can do! Zig Ziglar said it well years ago, “The tougher you are on yourself, the easier life will be on you. The easier you are on yourself, the tougher life will be on you.” Good point, Zig!
3. Have Fun With Others. Phelps’ teammates have nicknamed him “Gomer” after the character Gomer Pyle played by Jim Nabors. Phelps is a likable, fun guy. Perhaps he is a real-life Forrest Gump! Yes, he is disciplined but he makes sure he has fun. Being likable is one of the most important traits you can have in sales. Sometimes you have to bite your tongue to be nice, but do it! Always be gracious and kind no matter what. That is the goal. It would be easy for the guy with the most medals in history to be pious and obnoxious. Well, not for ole’ Gomer! Be fun and have fun with others. This will do more to help sales and credibility than being a mean, quiet sourpuss!
4. Focus. This is hard. Phelps told NBC news, “Eat, sleep, swim, that’s all I can do.” He knows that to achieve greatness you have to focus and be disciplined. You might not want to win 8 gold medals at an Olympics. But what about learning a new skill? What about being the best salesperson in your division? Find that goal and get the resources, books, training, coaches and whatever necessary to achieve your goal. You’ll be a better person for it and help others along the way.
5. Reward Yourself On Achievement. Phelps makes sure he celebrates with others and with those he loves. It is important to celebrate not just when we achieve the big goal. Create mini-celebrations along the way. Made that extra sales call you didn’t want to make? Congratulate yourself with a small reward. Got that extra sale? Do something meaningful for yourself and loved ones. As you reward yourself regularly with the small and big wins, you teach your subconscious that the reward will be there. This helps you achieve even more.
Mission accomplished, Mr. Phelps! You and your team have made it work. We’re proud of you and celebrate your victories.
So, what are YOU doing to set goals for those things that you want to do in your life? Relationship Marketing tells us to find ways we can help others. What if you had a goal to help 3 extra people today? What about making those extra sales calls? What about reaching for that stretch goal that you know you can make with a little more work?
As I think Michael Phelps might say, “Get in that pool. 10 more laps!”
Go for it!
Terry Brock is an international marketing coach and columnist who helps businesses market more effectively, leveraging technology. He shows busy professionals how to squeeze more out of their days using time-honored rules and practical technology tools. He can be reached at 407-363-0505, by e-mail at terry@terrybrock.com or through his website at www.terrybrock.com.
March 13th, 2010 at 12:04 pm
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October 17th, 2009 at 7:33 pm
Да таков наш современный мир и боюсь с этим ни чего невозможно поделать:)
March 17th, 2009 at 7:18 am
Отменноя статья, вызнал много нового!)
February 25th, 2009 at 11:33 pm
А интересно, если текст с вашего блога себе копировать, ссылку куда лучше ставить прямо на эту страницу или же на главную страницу.
January 31st, 2009 at 12:42 pm
Читал про это в Википедии. Вообще конечно жизненная тема.
November 14th, 2008 at 4:38 pm
Я бы кое-чего добавил конечно же, но в общем-то по сути сказано практически все.
November 6th, 2008 at 7:26 pm
michael phelps is cute
November 6th, 2008 at 7:26 pm
November 6th, 2008 at 7:25 pm
hey people wanted to say this website rocks btw im 11 years old wanted to let yall know.
October 22nd, 2008 at 9:02 am
“The tougher you are on yourself, the easier life will be on you. The easier you are on yourself, the tougher life will be on you.”
That is counter-intuitive these days. Thanks Zig & Terry.
September 24th, 2008 at 9:59 pm
Все-таки интересное изобретение – блог. Казалось бы обычный сайт, но преобразили подачу разной информации, отдали вебсайт в руки одного человека и открылась еще одна новая грань общения со всем миром.
August 22nd, 2008 at 7:00 am
Very good. Enjoyed your video and I can always use a reminder of what it takes.
August 22nd, 2008 at 6:35 am
Hi Terry,
Man you have done it again…some great content and some great advice too.
You had better let up soon my friend or people are going to think I am stalking you if I have to keep giving you all this positive every time you make a great video (which seems to be every time)
Seriously, I enjoyed this video and the bit I liked the most was taking that extra step and being disciplined – how can I turn Phelps’ “Sleep, Eat, Swim” into something to benefit my life and my business.
Keep up the great work and think about us here in rainy and wet UK whilst you are basking in all that Panama sunshine.
Regards
Michael
August 22nd, 2008 at 5:30 am
Terry, you have an incredible knack of translating what’s happening in the world into real-life applications for pushing us all to the next level! Keep it going – your media-rich posts are terrific!
August 22nd, 2008 at 3:22 am
Hi Terry,
What a fantastic extract of the essence of Michael Phelps success! The timing is perfect too as people will be very keen to find out the secrets of his success. You are the right person to write about it too since you are a living testimony of living by those principles.
There is one area which business needs which I think probably Olympics may not need as much. That factor is innovation. All Olympic events are governed by very rigid rules and structure. Technology may help, as in the swimsuits but there is very little that the athlete can innovate since the days of the Fosbury high jump and the butterfly stroke which was originally an innovation on the breaststroke. We are yet to see an innovative Olympic medallist for a very while! I hope this will provide food for thought for those preparing for the 2012 Olympics!
August 21st, 2008 at 9:10 pm
Terry,
What a great message for all who are trying to make improvements in their lives. My son struggles with ADHD. I am going to send this video to him as I think he will find your “analysis” of Michael Phelps’ to be very helpful.
Keep up the good work!
Gina Carr
August 21st, 2008 at 9:09 pm
Hi Terry,
Thanks for some great tips to achieve “greatness” in our respective businesses. I especially appreciate the “discipline” message as this, to me, seems to be the singlemost challenge of most solo entrepreneurs who enjoy “doing the work” as opposed to “getting the work”. I also enjoyed the way in which you set up your video by changing background settings every few minutes for those of us (like me) who have succumbed to needing constant entertainment. I learn so much about marketing just watching you do it! Congratulations and enjoy your stay in Panama.
August 21st, 2008 at 8:30 pm
Hi Terry,
Love what you say, the way you say it, and the technology you use to deliver it.
Great pick up for a rainy, cold day here in wintry Sydney – felt the warmth of the sun in your words and the sights of Panama.
Have a great weekend!
Anne
August 21st, 2008 at 7:33 pm
Great message as usual Terry.
August 21st, 2008 at 7:26 pm
Dear Terry:
Great article — very timely for me. Your emphasis on focus has helped me focus! Like you, I am in speaking business. The past year, I began to feel tired … a bit worn out. To help me strengthen my momentum — I think about the word focus. What helps me is to focus my energies on helping people make significant change.
Thanks again for your insight,
Eddie
August 21st, 2008 at 6:56 pm
Inspiring message. I loved your post.I have been so intrigued about the human side of Michael Phelps and what makes him tick. Want to use his principles for success to motivate my career transition clients who will benfit greatly by taking notice of an inspirational history breaking champion. Continue to enjoy life in Panama!
August 21st, 2008 at 6:04 pm
Yes, Diane, you (and every one else reading this) have my full permission to use this video in schools where it can help children of all ages. In fact, go ahead and share this message with anyone you think could benefit. Yes, discipline is so important and we don’t hear enough about it today. We’re taught from TV and Hollywood that we don’t have to work for something that it comes by magic. Thank you for your kind words. Hope you have a great day! Terry, Terry@TerryBrock.com
August 21st, 2008 at 5:56 pm
Terry;
Excellent message! Can we show this in all the schools in America? There’s no escaping discipline to reach success.
When I grow up I want to be just like you. If only my mind worked like yours! : )
xo
Diane
August 21st, 2008 at 5:28 pm
Hi Terry
Many thanks for today’s advice. What a great person to use as an example.
We are busy in our business trying to make our lemons into champagne and not lemonade.
Thanks again
Beryl