Can I share a secret with you?

Many years ago, when I was seriously into my athletic goals, I had the great fortune to train around and with, and to observe training, some of history’s greatest Olympians. Big-timers like Edwin Moses, Mary Decker Slaney, Eric Heiden, Al Oerter, Divers, Track stars, Gymnasts, Swimmers, Hockey players, Volleyball players, Team handball players, Wrestlers, and so on. (I also met the legendary Jesse Owens – who gave me an inspiring pep talk and shared a life lesson – while I was rehabbing my jacked-up shoulder and elbow at the Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs, Colorado. But, that’s a topic for another article.)

Anyway – As a lifelong student of success I absorbed a ton of great success tips from these true super-humans. Time has revealed to me that these folks can teach us a lot about not just sports – but also about life, marketing and business success. Here are 6 lessons we can all learn from these athletes and others I’ve shared space with.

1. Spend your time around people whom you want to be like.

Why? Superior athletes know that when they hang around people who are doing what they want to do, they automatically have a much greater chance of success. The incredible energy at the Olympic Training Center is something I still feel to this day, even years later. You’re surrounded by world-class competitors, gold medalists, and celebrities. The feeling literally drives you to create your personal-best results. Plus, there’s a wealth of knowledge surrounding you as well. You can’t help but get better.

It’s the same in our day-to-day lives. Who are YOU hanging around? (Think about it.) They either lift you towards your best or hold you down to your lesser self.

2. Keep moving forward to achieve lasting success.

Real success is built over the long-term. These winners have a long-term plan that they follow to get to their best performance in the biggest competitions. They keep moving forward day in and day out. What’s your plan for lasting success?

“If we strive to be the best we can be each day, we can do some wonderful things on this earth.” ~ Al Oerter

3. Successes and failures are a part of the process.

These super-achievers know that progress is not an unfettered ascent to the top. Sometimes breakthroughs occur with seemingly little effort. Others times, you may trip and fall back from the pace. None know this better than the great track star Mary Decker Slaney who suffered mishap, tragedy and misfortune during her career. Despite it all, her greatness as a track legend endures.

Life, business, relationships, and marketing do not move in straight lines either. Don’t worry when you slip. Just make sure to immediately get back up and go for your goal.

4. Get ready to “do it hard.”

When I am scheduled to host a seminar after landing late via a delayed plane, I never say, “I’m tired and I don’t wanna!” I just do it. It is simply part of the deal. And that attitude ensures my success.

Between 1977 and 1987, Edwin Moses won 107 consecutive hurdle finals (122 consecutive races) and set the world record in his event four times. You have to know that there were times during that incredible 10 year run when he didn’t feel quite ready to run. But, the record shows that against all comers – the world’s very best hurdlers who wanted to knock the king off his perch – Edwin “did it hard!”

Much about life and business is not easy. Sometimes, what you really want is a hard slog away from you. The key is to make the hard stuff fun by doing what you love to do in your life.

5. Copy those who are doing what you want to do.

The fastest way to gain success is to copy those who are succeeding in their lives. Drop the ego and search and reapply to your own life. Reinventing the wheel is just plain stupid. From weight loss to growing your business to career success to relationship success to whatever! —- Model the best examples you can find. (Every one of these world-class athletes studied the competition to uncover some clue that would lead them to better performance.)

6. Find a coach or mentor for faster and better results.

I have trained with, coached, consulted with, interviewed, and worked with some of the top performers in a variety of fields. Olympic athletes. Corporate CEOs. World leaders. Military generals. Fast-growth entrepreneurs. Doctors. Personal development gurus. And on and on. None of them got to where he/she did alone. They all had a coach or advisor who could walk them through every step of the way from where they were to the accomplishment of their goals. Does this cost money? I hope so! Top-of-their-field experts have a value. But you don’t judge a coach on what he/she may cost you. You must look at what they’re WORTH to you. These coaches can accelerate your success accomplishment. Stop struggling personally or in your business and invest in someone to show you the way to your goals – the first time.