What Musicians Can Learn From Olympic Athletes

It’s official. It’s that time again, and I definitely have Olympics fever! Bring on the Opening Ceremony, the gorgeous London backdrop, the edge-of-your-seat parallel bars, the blink-and-you’ll-miss-it 100-meter dash – oh, and does anyone else out there like watching televised table tennis as much as I do?

Every four years I look forward to watching the athletes battle it out, and I’m always inspired by the way the events bring together people of all countries, cultures and backgrounds.

As I’ve been following the news, I started thinking about how similar sports and music are, in that sense. In sports, the rules are understood no matter what language you speak. And with music? You can appreciate catchy harmonies, melodic piano runs and the beat of the drum without even saying a word. But that’s not where the similarities end. I’ve put together my list of things musicians can learn from Olympic athletes here – what other crossovers can you think of?

1. Success takes dedication and commitment.
No athlete wakes up one morning, decides to take up a particular sport, and then days later is invited to the Olympics. I recently read that 15-year-old Kyla Ross, the youngest gymnast on the U.S. team this year, practices 30-35 hours every week – that’s pretty much a full-time job! What’s more, these athletes usually begin training at a very young age.  To compare: if you think you can master the guitar in just a few short lessons, you’ll probably end up pretty frustrated. True success – with anything – takes passion, practice, and most of all, commitment.

2. Try, try again.
If you don’t perform at your finest the first time, there’s nothing wrong with trying again. Take 71-year-old equestrian Hiroshi Hoketsu, whose attendance this year makes him the second-oldest contender in the history of the Olympics. He first competed in 1964, but has never medaled.  There are two lessons here: First, you’re never too old to dedicate yourself to a goal. Second, you’re not limited to just one opportunity to reach that goal. If your audition doesn’t go the way you wanted, reflect on what you can do better, keep your attitude positive and then try again – even if it’s 48 years later.

3. Attitude is everything.
Whether you’re preparing for a small, family-only recital or the most important audition of your life, your attitude will always influence your performance. If you’re so worried about getting through a specific part of the song, you may not be playing at your full potential.  So instead of focusing on the negative thoughts, think about how you’re going to rock it out, and how all of your practice is about to pay off. Athletes often use visualization techniques to envision themselves reaching the finish line – take advantage of the strategy by picturing yourself wowing the audience.

4. Goals are necessary.
Setting goals, no matter how far off they may seem, gives yourself the direction you need. With an ultimate goal of the gold medal, great athletes know the importance of breaking that down into smaller goals – run a little bit faster or throw a little fit further next time, for example. So what do you really want? Do you want to record an album? Do you want to be the next Adele? Do you want to eventually earn a Grammy, or sell out huge amphitheaters? Write those goals down. Determine the smaller steps and milestones that will lead up to that, and then get to work!

5. Don’t neglect your support team.