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Have you been watching the 2024 Paris Olympics and found yourself wondering how athletes seem to have it all together? They wake up at ungodly hours, crush their workouts, and still have time to smile for the camera. It’s like they’ve cracked the code to this whole “being human” thing. But, luckily for us – You don’t have to be a professional athlete to have an athlete mindset. In fact, you can train your brain to think like a top performer. So let’s get into ‘Athlete Mindset Training for Everyday People: 5 Ways to Win at Life!‘
Table of Contents
- Why Bother with an Athlete Mindset?
- The 5 Key Ingredients to an Athlete Mindset (Spoiler: No Burpees Required)
- Bringing It All Together
Why Bother with an Athlete Mindset?
Let’s be real: Life is basically one big endurance event. Whether you’re juggling work and family, or trying to remember to water that plant you swore you wouldn’t kill this time (RIP Freddie, the Fiddle Leaf Fig), it takes stamina, discipline, and a little bit of grit to make it through.
Athletes have mastered the art of pushing through challenges, staying focused, and bouncing back from setbacks. And the best part? These skills can be applied to literally everything—whether you’re training for a marathon or just trying to get through Monday.
LEARN THE BEST WAY TO STAY CONSISTENT WITH EXERCISE > Enjoy Movement: How To Find Fun In Every Workout
The 5 Key Ingredients to an Athlete Mindset (Spoiler: No Burpees Required)
1. Embrace the Power of Routine
Athletes thrive on routine. They eat, sleep, and breathe consistency because they know it leads to results. But don’t worry, you don’t need a colour-coded calendar or a fridge full of protein shakes to get started. Check out my recent posts on routines: ADHD Morning Routines: Kickstart Your Day with Energy & Recharge Your Day: Effective Afternoon Routines for More Energy.
Start small: Set a simple daily routine. Maybe it’s waking up at the same time every day or having a 5-minute morning stretch. Consistency is key.
Stick to it: Even on weekends. Yes, I know, it’s painful. But this helps build discipline and makes your routine a no-brainer.
Athletes thrive on routine and consistency, which are vital for achieving peak performance. These habits can be translated into everyday life to help individuals build discipline and achieve their goals more effectively. Establishing a consistent routine, even in small ways, can have significant benefits on mental and physical well-being (Carter & Graef, 2016).
SEE MY COMPLETE GUIDE ON HABIT FORMATION > Mastering Habit Formation and Behaviour Change For Your Health
2. Set Goals That Scare You (But in a Good Way)
Athletes don’t settle for average. They aim high, even if the goal seems a bit terrifying. The trick is to break it down into manageable steps.
Big scary goal: Maybe it’s running a 10k, starting your own business, or just making it to Friday without hitting the snooze button 17 times.
Break it down: Create mini-goals or milestones to get you there. Celebrate each win—no matter how small!
Kristen Faulkner: The Perfect Example of Resilience and Growth
If you’re looking for someone who embodies an athlete mindset, look no further than Kristen Faulkner. Faulkner’s journey is a masterclass in resilience, adaptability, and the power of a growth mindset.
What’s particularly inspiring about Kristen is the bold decision she made at 29—a time when many people feel locked into their career paths. In 2017, Kristen was working a typical 9-to-5 job in venture capital, thriving in a world of finance far removed from the athletic arena. But deep down, she felt a yearning for something more, something that would push her limits and ignite her passion.
So, despite having no background in competitive cycling, Kristen made the HUGE choice to pursue the sport seriously, showing us all that it’s never too late to chase new dreams, and that no goal is too big.
Fast forward to 2024, and Kristen’s decision paid off in the most AMAZING way. After years of hard work, dedication, and a relentless growth mindset, Kristen competed in the 2024 Olympics and brought home the gold – something that hasn’t been done by an American in 40 YEARS.
Her success is a testament to the incredible things that can happen when you follow your passion, no matter how late you start.
LEARN MORE ABOUT MY WEIGHT LOSS JOURNEY! > How I Lost Over 80lbs: Tips For Starting A Weight Loss Journey
3. Learn to Love the Process (Yes, Even the Boring Bits)
Training isn’t always glamorous. Sometimes it’s just showing up and putting in the work, even when you don’t feel like it. The same goes for life.
Find your “why”: Remind yourself why you’re doing this in the first place. Whether it’s for your health, your family, or your dream of becoming a homeowner (fingers crossed for 2025!)
Trust the process: Progress isn’t always obvious. Keep going, and the results will come.
Check out my post ‘Types of Goals: Outcome, Performance, and Process Goals‘ for some tips on setting process goals!
4. Fail Like a Pro
Athletes don’t see failure as the end—far from it. They see it as feedback, an opportunity to learn, adapt, and come back stronger. This is where the magic of a growth mindset comes into play.
With a growth mindset, you understand that your abilities and intelligence aren’t set in stone. You believe that with effort, learning, and persistence, you can improve and grow. So, if you mess up (and it’s bound to happen, we’re human!), don’t throw in the towel. Instead, channel your inner athlete and turn failure into your greatest teacher.
Psychological resilience is a critical factor that allows athletes to thrive under pressure and bounce back from setbacks. This resilience can be cultivated through mental training, which helps in developing life skills such as adaptability and perseverance, crucial for both sports and personal life. (O’Brien et al., 2021).
Reflect and adapt: When things don’t go as planned, take a moment to reflect. What went wrong? What can you do differently next time? This is where growth happens. Every setback is a chance to learn something new about yourself and your approach. Use failures as stepping stones to success, not as evidence that you’re not good enough.
Embrace the journey: Remember, progress isn’t always linear. There will be ups and downs, but every experience, good or bad, contributes to your growth. A growth mindset helps you see setbacks as part of the journey, not as roadblocks.
Keep moving forward: Setbacks happen. It’s how you handle them that matters. With a growth mindset, you’ll see challenges as opportunities to stretch yourself and grow. So, pick yourself up, dust yourself off, and keep pushing forward. The only true failure is giving up.
Michael Jordan: Turning Failure into Fuel
If there’s one athlete who epitomises the concept of failing like a pro, it’s Michael Jordan. Widely regarded as one of the greatest basketball players of all time, Jordan’s path to success was paved with setbacks and failures.
Michael Jordan famously said, “I’ve missed more than 9,000 shots in my career. I’ve lost almost 300 games. Twenty-six times, I’ve been trusted to take the game-winning shot and missed. I’ve failed over and over and over again in my life. And that is why I succeed.”
Jordan didn’t just rely on his natural talent; he embraced the grind, the countless hours of practice, and the commitment to continuous improvement. He understood that failure was part of the journey and that each missed shot or lost game was an opportunity to learn and grow.
Michael Jordan’s story teaches us that failure is not the enemy—it’s a crucial part of the process. So, the next time you face a challenge or experience a setback, think of Jordan. Reflect on what went wrong, adapt your approach, and keep pushing forward.
5. Build a Support Squad
No athlete does it alone. They have coaches, teammates, and cheerleaders who push them to be their best. You need the same.
Find your village: Surround yourself with people who lift you up, whether it’s a friend who motivates you to work out or a colleague who keeps you accountable at work.
Be each other’s cheerleader: Celebrate wins together, no matter how big or small. Positive vibes are contagious!
Bringing It All Together
Adopting an athlete mindset isn’t about being perfect. It’s about showing up, doing the work, and being kind to yourself along the way. You don’t need a six-pack or a gold medal to be a champion in your own life.
So, whether you’re facing a challenging project at work, trying to stick to a new habit, or just need a little more mental toughness to get through the day—remember, you’ve got this. With a little training, you can develop the mindset of an athlete and start winning at life, one small victory at a time.
Now, go out there and crush it! (And reward yourself afterwards—athletes love a good cheat day too!)