Business Bytes: Olympic gold medalist’s tips on how to hurdle business challenges

World class athlete Sally Gunnell shares her golden tips to success to small businesses through her new book, Book of Gold Medal Business Advice which offers transferrable skills she has learned from her own Olympic success. 

1. Know what you want to achieve 

Have drive and focus and know exactly what your end goal looks like and don’t be scared to think big! Sally says if you know what you want to achieve you will have the clarity and patience to make it happen. 

2. Surround yourself with successful people

Don’t be afraid to ask for help and surround yourself with people who are good at what they do – they will help you to excel. But remember to give yourself time to develop as a team and look out the people who give you the constructive criticism you need to help you progress. 

3. Embrace competition

Make sure you step out of your comfort zone in order to keep learning and growing. Don’t forget that competition is healthy and it’s that competitive nature that will get you out of bed in the morning on a rainy day. 

4. Accept disappointment 

Learn why mistakes happen and how you can learn from them, but don’t dwell. Don’t let the fear of failing affect your success as an entrepreneur or business. 

5. Have self-belief 

All of us will doubt our ability at some point, but use your mind to visualise your goal and control that inner voice. Don’t hold yourself back, always think about the bigger picture and where do you want to take the company.