How to Face Life’s Challenges Like an Olympian
Tough times test us all, but they also shape us in ways we often don’t realise until we’ve made it through the other side. As someone who’s had to face the highs and lows of elite sport, I’ve learned that resilience isn’t just about enduring—it’s about finding strength, gratitude, and creativity in the process. Let’s explore three key strategies to help you build resilience when the going gets tough.
1. Practice Gratitude, Even in Difficulty
When things are falling apart, it’s easy to focus on what’s missing or what’s gone wrong. But here’s the thing: no matter how hard it gets, there’s always something to be grateful for. During tough pre-season training periods or injury setbacks, I’d remind myself that others would give anything to be where I was—representing my country and doing what I love.
Here’s what I’m grateful for now:
My parents and the sacrifices they made to support my dream.
The prosperity and opportunity that comes with living in a first world country.
All the decisions I’ve made in my life that has brought me to this point now.
Perspective Shift: When you focus on what you do have rather than what you don’t, you’ll find a bit of peace and clarity, even in the chaos.
2. Tough Times Don’t Last
The old saying, “This too shall pass,” might feel cliché, but it’s true. Tough times might feel never-ending when you’re in the thick of it, but they’re temporary. After a painful performance in competition or a frustrating training session training, I had to remind myself that every storm eventually clears. The key is to keep moving forward, even if it’s tiny little baby steps each day.
Tips to weather any storm:
Take notice of what’s going on in the world around you.
Give to others, whether it’s time, money, or even advice.
Connect with people close to you.
Be active away from your main occupation.
Keep learning and expand your knowledge.
Stay Patient: Celebrate the small victories—they’re proof that things are turning around.
3. Focus on Solutions, Not Problems
Dwelling on the problem won’t change it, but taking a solutions-focused approach might. Creativity is one of the most underrated tools in tough times. When I faced challenges—whether financial, physical, or emotional—I leaned on brainstorming and asking for outside perspectives to come up with a way forward. Resilience is a skill you can build. Ingenuity plays a massive role in resilience. Don’t let obstacles stop you; let them push you to think differently.
Personal Insight: My coach was inspirational in ensuring I came out of the pandemic as a better athlete, even though everything that I was used to became disrupted. She enlightened me to this “solutions-focused approach” where anything in front of us didn’t remain an obstacle for long. We did whatever we needed to do to get over, under, around, or even straight through it.
Shifting Your Mindset
Resilience isn’t about avoiding challenges—it’s about learning to thrive despite them. When you focus on gratitude, remain patient, and tackle problems with creativity, you build the kind of mental toughness that not only helps you survive tough times but also come out stronger on the other side.
Join the conversation
What are your strategies for building resilience? Leave your thoughts below, share this with a friend who might need it, and let me know what topic you’d like to hear about next!