Why Model Of Olympic Athletes Is Bad For Your Small Business

Posted by 3keyscoach under Self-Development
From http://www.abilitysuccessgrowth.com 4275 days ago

Every aspect of an Olympic athlete's life from sleep to rest is devoted to becoming specialists. Yet...this is a bad model for small business owners.

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Comments

Written by elainerogers
4275 days ago

Hi Elli,

I agree in parts with your post. I don’t believe training for the olympics is a 4 year goal, and know of many many athletes who have performed in 3 or 4 olympics, which is a long time. This is much more long-term for the athlete, and affects every aspect of their life, forever.

I agree that Business owners need to beware of burn-out and assuming 90 hours is necessary to achieve weekly goals. Consistent overworking puts us in hospital, destroys relationships, and ultimately destroys the business (not to mention the culture passed on to employees).

And there is so much we can take from the performance of these top athletes. As long as we aspire to the emotionally healthy and well grounded top athletes, we should be ok.

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Written by 3keyscoach
4275 days ago

Hi Elaine,

Thanks for adding how you agree and disagree with my post. My concern for small business owners is that if they act as if they improved one thing, they will be more successful. Olympic athletes dedicate their energies to their sport and sacrifice so much for a single goal. This is certainly admirable!

But for small business owners, they have to weigh how they approach their roles as leaders and managers and how these choices affect their lives beyond work as well.

Maybe the question lies in the exit strategy for each business owner. Are you building something you want for 10-20 years, to sell or to pass on?

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Written by HeatherStone
4275 days ago

Hi Elli,

This is an interesting way of looking at small business and, yep, there are probably more small businesses that don't fit the Olympic model than do. An interesting look at where we should be aiming.

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Written by 3keyscoach
4275 days ago

Hi Heather,

Thanks for commenting. As small business owners, we do want to find that thing that maximizes our performance as leaders and managers. We want to be excellent, the best. It is also important to take into consideration that there is a lot to absorb. It takes time and experience of the day-in and day-out rather than aiming for the big event.

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