Posted on September 1st, 2023

The champion mindset: Lessons I learnt from the world’s greatest athletes.

“Some people want it to happen, some people wish it would happen and others make it happen.” ~ Michael Jordan

Watching sport in Australia is a national obsession, and how often do we sit in awe and wonder as we watch athletes kick the ‘impossible’ goal, golfers sink an ‘unbelievable’ hole in one, or runners ‘miraculously’ come from behind to win a match in the last few seconds of a race.

We sometimes refer to great sportspeople as born athletes, or even superhuman, but the reality is they are much the same as you or I. So what is it that makes them more successful than others? How do they get to the top of their game? What gives them the edge over their competitors?

They’re not built differently. They just think differently.

Even though those who don’t know me would in no way mistake me for an athlete, I was very sporty (I played soccer, table tennis and was very athletic) as a student and I do share the same athletic mindset that one needs to become successful in their field.

Joseph Chou is in the black shorts alongside his team mates from the Peking University soccer club.

It’s interesting though that while we look at successful sportspeople and marvel at their training and perseverance, some people still consider those who have been successful at building wealth as ‘lucky’.

While there is a certain amount of ‘luck’ in property investing (and sports for that matter), the truth is at the heart of every successful person in any field, is an unwavering commitment, focus, drive and good old fashioned hard work.

There’s no magic bullet. But there are invaluable lessons we can learn from athletes and adopt on our own journey to success.

“There is no way around the hard work. Embrace it.” ~ Roger Federer

Trait 1: Commit to Big Goals

The greatest athletes don’t settle for mediocrity; they set challenging goals and go after them with courage and determination.

Whenever I set myself new goals – which I do all the time – I always ask myself a few pivotal questions. How bad do I want it? Is the goal worth the price physically, emotionally and spiritually? Is this goal aligned to my deepest values? I find that when you really want something badly enough, it sparks a fire and an unrelenting desire that fuels your determination to go for it.

Trait 2: Don’t buy into instant success thinking

“Don’t think about the start of the race, think about the ending” ~ Usain Bolt

Success in wealth building and property investing is a marathon, not a sprint, so it’s important to train your mind to focus on the long game. Athletes know there’s no reward without the sweat, while successful property investors know it’s all about steady progress, refusing to quit and having the courage and foresight to stay the course. Having the perseverance to buy and hold your portfolio for 15+ years is key to your success.

Trait 3: Work with a world class coach to turbo-charge your portfolio building skills.

“Talent wins games, but teamwork and intelligence wins championships.” ~ Michael Jordan

One of the most profound lessons we can glean from athletes is the value of coaching. The best athletes, and the most successful property investors, seek guidance from someone who has already mastered what they want to accomplish.

I certainly wouldn’t be enjoying the life I have today without the wisdom and experience of mentors to coach me along my own path to building wealth.

The beauty of Ironfish is that all our strategists (and many of our staff) are experienced property investors themselves, so you get a team of coaches and mentors working with you, cheering you on and helping you stay mentally match fit for the journey ahead.

Trait 4: Pace yourself to victory

Running a marathon is a great analogy for successful property investors because the strategy is very much the same. Training for a marathon requires a well-structured game plan that prevents burnout come race day. Marathon runners break their race into small segments or landmarks, focusing on reaching each milestone to boost motivation.

So embrace the concept of “daily wins” – small achievements that contribute to your larger goal. In my own life I also believe it’s essential to establish routines and schedules that promote productivity and well-being. Prioritise tasks, allocate time for personal growth and maintain a healthy work-life balance. Yes, you want to be successful, but it’s also important to enjoy the journey along the way!

Trait 5: Harness worry and fear to your advantage

“Limits, like fears, are often just an illusion”. ~ Michael Jordan

Both athletes and investors encounter moments of fear and doubt.

Fear is a natural protective instinct, but if you let it dominate your thoughts, it can hold you back when you should be pushing forward.

Basketball icon Michael Jordan used the fear of failure as a relentless drive to push himself harder, practice longer, and strive for perfection.

His attitude toward fear is a masterclass in channelling negative emotions into positive energy. By reframing fear as an opportunity for growth and improvement, he transformed it from a potential obstacle into a powerful motivator that fuelled his quest for excellence.

Trait 6: Go the extra mile

Going above and beyond is a hallmark of champions. Athletes sacrifice short-term indulgences for the promise of greater rewards in the future.

Our signature portfolio building approach emphasises the significance of long-term thinking and strategic planning – pillars that mirror an athlete’s unwavering dedication to consistent training and preparation.

The ‘4 investment properties in 6 years’ strategy involves carefully building a diversified property portfolio, to build long-term wealth and stability. This is an effective approach for those seeking to attain true financial freedom and live their retirement years in ultimate comfort, or even bringing their retirement age forward.

The principles that lead to success in one arena apply equally well to the other. Both disciplines require smart goal setting, long term thinking, taking action, great coaching, self-pacing, picking yourself up when you fall, conquering worry, and going the extra mile.

There are no shortcuts to success. Self-sacrifice and self-discipline are more than words to endurance and wealth champions. They’re a way of life.

I encourage you to think what extra steps you could be doing to improve your chances in the wealth building race.

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