Summer is almost upon us, and with it comes one of the most hotly anticipated sports events of the year: Wimbledon begins on 27 June.
Every year since 1877, supremely talented athletes meet on the iconic grass lawns of Wimbledon, battling for the title in one of the world’s most competitive tennis tournaments.
As a business owner, these world-class tennis players could be inspiring to you. They have trained hard, developed an unparalleled level of focus, and achieved some of the highest accolades in their sport.
When it comes to running your business, you may have had a tough couple of years. The Covid-19 pandemic might have put your company through its paces, and now, high inflation and market volatility could be concerning to you.
In light of these circumstances, you might be searching for inspiration on how to lead your company through these hard times.
Read on to learn five killer quotes from Wimbledon champions that could teach business owners about what it takes to achieve long-term success.
- “Sometimes you have to accept that someone else played better than you on the day.” – Roger Federer
Roger Federer is an eight-time Wimbledon champion, making him the most-awarded winner ever in the men’s singles division. It’s safe to say this titan of tennis might know something about achieving success.
So, it might be surprising to read that although Federer is nothing short of merciless on the court, his attitude to losing is one of mere acceptance.
As a business owner there will have been times when you have lost. You might have been shortlisted for an award, only to be pipped at the post by your closest competitor.
Or perhaps you’ve been outperformed by an older, more established local business in recent years, causing you to lose faith altogether.
Roger Federer may have won Wimbledon eight times, but he has also been beaten a further four times in the final.
And yet, nobody focuses on Federer’s losses. Instead, they have a clear image in their mind of him lifting the trophy time and time again. Why? He doesn’t let his pitfalls affect the rest of his career.
Rather than becoming hung up on short-term losses, it’s important to focus on your business as a long-term investment. Accepting short-term defeats, and learning from your mistakes, could help you become a more resilient leader.
2. “If my Plan A isn’t working, I have Plan B, Plan C, and even Plan D.” – Serena Williams
Serena Williams holds the record for most grand slam titles ever won, having lifted 23 trophies during her career.
Williams’ insistence on having a “Plan B, Plan C, and even Plan D” matches her reputation for hyper-preparation. No doubt this is what allowed her to scoop seven Wimbledon singles championships (and counting) in her career to date.
Indeed, for business owners, the importance of having a backup plan cannot be overstated.
For example, when it comes to your marketing, sales, or investment strategies, your best laid plans may not work out how you thought. Unexpected external forces, such as the pandemic, can mean your Plan A is quickly thrown out of the window.
With the help of your financial planner, you can establish solid backup plans for your business. Using cashflow modelling, for example, your financial planner can help you model alternative scenarios for your business. If your Plan A proves ineffective, you’ll have the peace of mind that your Plan B, C, and D are waiting in the wings.
3. “However great your dedication, you never win anything on your own.” – Rafael Nadal
Rafael Nadal, the Spanish two-time Wimbledon champion, is known for giving credit where credit is due.
Insisting that “you never win anything on your own” might sound odd coming from a men’s singles champion, but here, Nadal is speaking the truth: nobody achieves success by themselves.
Behind Nadal is a team of nutritionists, physiotherapists, sport psychologists, and coaches who keep him in his prime so he can perform on the court.
For you as a business owner, Nadal’s words may ring true; no matter how talented you are, you can’t keep an entire company running alone. Building a team you can trust, and learning how to delegate, is absolutely crucial.
What’s more, sourcing support from experts like your financial planner could greatly improve your business’s performance. Knowing that the experts around you have instilled you with both the knowledge and the confidence to succeed in the long term could make all the difference.
4. “Nobody changes the world who isn’t obsessed.” – Billie Jean King
After winning a record-breaking 20 Wimbledon titles during her lengthy career, American tennis legend Billie Jean King has one pearl of wisdom for those who want to succeed: be obsessed with what you do.
The word “obsession” can have some negative connotations. Maintaining work-life balance is important; sleeping, eating, and spending time with your family should all be prioritised alongside running your business.
But, when it comes to knowing your industry, your target audience, and your products, nobody should be more obsessed than you.
From a practical perspective, knowing your industry inside and out can help you anticipate potential issues. Plus, this laser focus could make you a pioneer in your field, rather than following already-established trends.
Similarly, from a leadership point of view, being “nerdy” about what you do can be inspiring to your team. Being the most committed person in your crew can help bring others up to your standard, and motivate them to be “obsessed” with what makes your business work.
5. “I believe you should give 100% on the court, so I chase every ball.” – Andy Murray
Speaking on his attitude towards the sport, British tennis legend Andy Murray states that “I believe you should give 100% on the court, so I chase every ball”.
Many tennis players choose not to “chase” a ball that seems out of their reach, but Murray’s stance is one of optimism: if you don’t chase every shot, you might become complacent.
Murray’s philosophy could transfer onto your own attitude to opportunities that come your way. You might meet a potential client and think nothing of it, perhaps failing to chase up that lead after the initial connection is made.
But, by letting some “balls” go over your head, you could miss vital opportunities that might prove fruitful in the future.
Get in touch
Working with a financial planner who specialises in supporting businesses could take you from sitting on the sidelines to playing on Centre Court.
Your company could benefit hugely from the goals-oriented financial planning we offer. Plus, as a business owner, you could develop a winning mindset when it comes to your money, giving you the confidence and backing you need to perform when the time comes.
Email info@henwoodcourt.co.uk or call 0121 313 1370 to find out more today.
Please note
This article is for information only. Please do not act based on anything you might read in this article. All contents are based on our understanding of HMRC legislation, which is subject to change.
