Sport provides lessons for life

Rod Bannister. Photo/File

During one part of my journey I spent some 10 years as a paid sports professional - either mentoring or playing sport in the disciplines of squash and cricket all over the globe.

I worked in such countries as Trinidad, Namibia, Hong Kong, Singapore, United States, Germany, Australia and England.

Many a time I have been asked what did I learn over that period and these are the tools I use today in my own personal and professional life when working with businesses and business owners.

Lessons from being a sports professional:

-Giving people the tools to succeed does not guarantee that they will do anything.

-Lots of people are educated, have no discipline, are very unfit and will always stay that way, for knowing what to do and doing what we know are totally different things.

-Most people have no idea that they have no idea, even though they say; 'I know!' to any question they ask you, when in reality they don't .

-Attitudes of people have a bigger role in positive outcomes than genetic potential.

-The best equipment does not mean the greatest success.

-Being a qualified mentor and being a good mentor are not necessarily the same thing.

-People tell fibs especially about their abilities and their weaknesses.

-As a mentor, people will tell you stuff you really do not need to know.

Tips:

-The bigger your ego the less chance for success. Practise humility first.

-Being fit means being in shape psychologically and emotionally.
Rod Bannister is an Australasian Masters squash champion, fitness expert and owner of One Mentoring, providing sales solutions for small to medium sized businesses - onementoring@gmail.com