Imagine possessing the unwavering confidence of a champion while embracing the relentless dedication of an underdog. This is the essence of the “Play Like Your Number 1, Train Like Your Number 2” mindset, a philosophy that can transform not just athletes but anyone striving for greatness.
The Power of the Olympic Training Mindset
Maurice Greene, a four-time Olympic gold medalist, encapsulated this mindset perfectly: “Play like your number 1, train like your number 2.” This principle involves harnessing the self-assurance required to perform at your peak while dedicating yourself to rigorous preparation. Greene’s legacy as a sprinter and record holder exemplifies how confidence combined with hard work drives success.
Learn from the Legends
Maurice Greene’s Wisdom
Greene’s philosophy was not just about performing well but about continuously pushing the boundaries. Before Usain Bolt’s era, Greene held the 100 meters record, showcasing how a champion’s attitude coupled with tireless training was key to his success. His approach highlights the balance between believing in oneself and working diligently to maintain that status.
Adam Peaty’s Journey
Adam Peaty, a British swimmer, vividly demonstrated this mindset during the 2024 Paris Olympics. After a remarkable streak of victories and world records, Peaty faced setbacks but remained committed to training like an underdog. His perseverance and mindset allowed him to return to peak performance, showcasing the power of blending confidence with continuous effort.
How the Olympic Training Mindset Benefits You
Adopting this mindset can significantly boost your performance across various aspects of life:
Confidence and Action: Embrace a winning attitude while preparing rigorously to create a synergy that drives success.
Focus and Resilience: Stay focused and adaptable, just like an underdog, to overcome challenges and seize opportunities.
Continuous Improvement: Regular self-assessment and relentless effort ensure you remain at the top of your game.
What to Do Next
Integrate the Olympic training mindset into your daily life:
In Your Career: Approach tasks with confidence, but prepare with the diligence of someone still proving themselves.
In Your Studies: Believe in your abilities, yet study hard to maintain a competitive edge.
In Personal Goals: Cultivate a winning attitude while continuously working on your skills and growth.
Want More? Join the Mindset Warrior Community
If this mindset resonates with you, you’re not alone. Many have found that combining a champion’s confidence with the humility to work like an underdog has transformed their approach to life and performance.
Share how this mindset has impacted your journey in the comments—your story could inspire others to make the shift, too. Remember, you don’t have to be an Olympic athlete to benefit from these lessons. Whether in your career, studies, or personal life, this approach can unlock your potential.
Ready to take the next step? Sign up for the Mindset Warrior newsletter for weekly insights and actionable strategies to build mental resilience and confidence. Join our growing community today!
Do you want to mentor the right people for you? In today’s article, 5 ways how to be an amazing mentor for the right person. We will discuss the importance of being a mentor but also how you can be a quality mentor for the right person you are mentoring. This article is for coaches, leaders, managers and even parents who want to get the best out of someone they are mentoring. It’s a privilege to be able to mentor someone and I hope you gain the information you need to succeed.
A mentor will also clear the path for the mentee to follow without them having to struggle to find their way to achieving their goals. A mentor will help the mentee formulate plans, set goals, develop networks, and identify the best resources to learn from.
The role of a mentor is vast and a mentee can gain so much from having one. Learning from someone else’s knowledge and experience can help a mentee to progress so much faster and more efficient than if done all on their own.
Why You Can’t Be A Mentor For Everyone
I’ve always been someone who loves helping people and when I was young I was shocked when someone who clearly needed help won’t listen to the guidance on how to solve their problems.
In life, there are people who want solutions and people who want to dwell on their problems. There are people who relate to you and others don’t. There are people who like you and some you just annoy. Hopefully, you get the point that a mentor is not for everyone it’s for the right person.
When looking for a mentee to mentor. You have to find a mentee that wants to change and wants to listen to your message. Mentors should spend their time spreading their knowledge and experience to people who want to receive their message, not people who don’t.
Learn From The Best
To be a great mentor you first have to be a great mentee. When it comes to mentoring. The mentors with the greatest experience can teach the most valuable lessons. Life experience should not be taken for granted when becoming a great mentor.
By making sure you are the best mentor. You have to gain experience through theory and putting those theory’s to action and gaining the results you can teach others.
For mentees, it’s important to have the right mentor to provide you with the information you need. This doesn’t always mean they have a 50-year-old person it can be anyone who’s just further ahead of where you want to be.
Also being mindful that times change and what worked in the past might not work in the present. So having a mentor that’s five years ahead of you or a mentor that keeps adapting will allow the mentee to gain the best results.
5 Ways How To Be An Amazing Mentor For The Right Person
1.Take Time To Listen
The ability to listen more than you speak as a mentor is crucial for the success of the mentee. The reason being is that the mentee will have a goal in mind they want to achieve. If a mentor is just doing whatever they want. It will eventually cause conflict and the mentee will not listen to your instructions. By listening you help them to be heard but you can also find all the information you need to help someone. You just have to listen first.
2. Show You Care
Showing you care as a mentor helps build trust and respect with the mentee. You do this by being genuine and putting the other person first. The best way to achieve this is through your actions. Going above and beyond to make sure they have everything they need to succeed. A story that Cristiano Ronaldo always talks about is when his mentor Sir Alex Ferguson allowed him to take time away from football to go and grieve the passing of his father. There have been mentors in my own life who wouldn’t think to let you have time off to take care of personal issues. This goes to show the mentor cared about the individual and in return, Cristiano gave everything to his mentor.
3. You Have To Be Honest
Some people can find it hard, to be honest with someone if it will hurt their feelings. As a mentor being honest to your mentee is paramount to their success. As well as knowing what they’re doing right. They also need to know what they’re doing wrong. The feedback they need to receive is an honest review of where they are and what they need to move forward. By knowing your mentee you will know what tone of voice to use when you’re expressing your honest feedback. When you’re honest it creates uncomfortably in the short term but they will thank you in the long term.
4. Have A Clear Expectations
It’s important when mentoring anyone to have clear expectations, to begin with. This sets up the relationship boundaries, intentions and goals that each person needs to follow. If not done correctly then there is a high chance for misunderstanding, a lack of high performance and direction. I have witnessed both sides and setting a clear expectation changes everything in a positive light. It also weeds out people who are not a good match for your mentoring style, the vision you have for them and the working environment. So it’s a win-win for everyone. This means you work with the right people but also you can create an environment for success.
5. Understand That Everyone Is Different
When mentoring people you have to understand that everyone has different personalities, standards and upbringing. Treating everyone the same will allow only a selected amount of mentees to receive your mentorship in its best form. Adapting your approach to each person allows for an effective approach. Also understanding that people start at different levels. Some will need a lot of practice and some will pick it up quickly. Being patient to focus on their journey not comparing to what you think their journey should be.
A Final Word From Future Mindset
I hope you enjoyed today’s article, 5 ways how to be an amazing mentor for the right person. Being a mentor is a great responsibility to have. Seeing the development of another person through your guidance is one of the best feelings in life. I hope the article has helped you on your mentoring journey. If you need any help or guidance with mentoring you can contact me at adam@thefuturemindset.com
Hi I’m Adam
I’ve spent over 10 years coaching and mentoring people within sport and business. I have many life skills that I have developed and I want to pass these skills on so people can find their best self. I believe it all starts in the mind and I write about valuable tools and strategies to help people grow in this area.
