Thriving in Big Moments: A World Champion’s Approach

I had several of these as an elite athlete, one that particularly stands out was the challenge of defending my world title for the first time. The pressure is immense, the competition fierce, and the margin for error slim. It’s a scenario that many business leaders can relate to – the challenge of not just reaching the top but staying there.

The good news is, we can prepare ourselves for big moments so that we handle them and thrive in the moment. I’ve outlined four essentials below.

1. Preparation is key

“Fail to prepare, prepare to fail!”

When faced with significant challenges, thorough preparation is essential. Break down your preparation into smaller, more manageable tasks. By addressing these incremental steps, you will build momentum and ensure that no aspect of your preparation is overlooked. This comprehensive approach fosters unshakeable confidence, derived from the knowledge that the work has been done and no stone has been left unturned.

As I approached the start line to defend my world title, I drew strength from knowing I had nailed  the training and covered every possible angle, I was ready.  I was able to trust that my preparation would enable me to deliver my best.

Remember this: preparation isn’t just about avoiding failure – it’s about creating the conditions for spectacular success.

2. Harness the power of visualisation

As an elite athlete, I discovered visualisation was a game-changer in my preparation for big moments. I used visualisation to prepare my mind and body to behave in a certain way, deliver my best performance and defend that world title. I mentally rehearsed every aspect of my performance from pre-race feelings to my self-talk, my focus, the race plan and even the weather conditions.

This mental preparation was programming my subconscious to respond automatically come race day. In business, this powerful technique can be applied to crucial presentations, negotiations or project execution.

• Visualise your performance in vivid detail.
• Engage all your senses in this mental practice. What do you see, hear, and feel during your ideal performance?
• Visualise not just success, but also overcoming potential obstacles. This builds resilience and adaptability.

Your brain doesn’t know the difference between a vividly imagined experience and a real life experience, so when you see yourself perform in your mind’s eye, it fuels your confidence when the big moment arrives. Mental rehearsal ensures you are ready to perform at your peak when it matters most.

3. Draw on past successes

Reflect on your past triumphs, big and small. What strengths led to those successes? Remember that you have successfully navigated significant moments before; this challenge is no different. Leverage these experiences as a confidence booster and reinforce your belief in your ability to excel.

I may not have defended a world title before but I had faced big pressure moments, that reminded me of my ability to stay calm in the moment, to rise to the challenge and stay focused on my strengths.

Let your past successes fuel your future achievements.

4. Stay in the moment, not fixating on ‘what ifs’

Instead of fixating on potential outcomes, concentrate on the present. Focus on your process and the factors within your control that will contribute to achieving your desired results. No matter how big the moment or how important the outcome, your job is the same.

The world championships is the biggest stage, it was in front of a home crowd but my job was the same as any other race, I needed to get my boat from A to B as fast as possible.

I approached that title defence, not worrying about being the favourite and what everyone was expecting but instead focusing on what I could do to make my boat go faster, focusing on my race plan, controlling my self talk and leaving every ounce of effort on the water.

Remember: stay focused on your process, stay focused on what you can control and let go of the rest.

And finally…

By incorporating these strategies, you can position yourself to thrive in any significant moment, ensuring you are well-prepared and confident in your ability to succeed.

If there are big moments on your horizon that you and your team want to be prepared for contact us for a chat.