5 Lessons in Greatness from Serena Williams
Observing elite performers at the zenith of their careers can help boost your own success. So definitely try to catch Serena Williams soon.
Serena is the focus of attention at the 2015 U.S. Open in New York as she aims to become the first Grand Slam winner (of the four major titles in tennis) since 1988. More than an athlete, Serena is a personality and celebrity instantly recognized by a single name.
As you watch on court or follow headlines, here are five lessons in greatness from Serena to inspire your own.
1. Carve your own path. Your path is yours and yours alone. Embrace it. Serena has never gone by the script. Trained by her father in Compton, California, Serena largely avoided the junior circuit—the conventional path to tennis success. Since her arrival on the scene as a teenager to embracing her physical power and chiseled physique, Serena never conformed to others’ expectations. As she told Robin Roberts in a recent interview: “I don’t have time to be brought down… I have Grand Slams to win, I have people to inspire, and that’s what I’m here for.”
2. Adapt well. To sustain success, you have to embrace change. From the blazing heat of the Australian Open hard court to the slippery clay at the rainy French Open, and the fast grass at Wimbledon, Serena proves her versatility. Her versatility virtually means that her environment is not a factor. It also means that she digs down when she needs to. Being able to recover quickly from adversity is part of adaptability.
3. Relish the moment. Serena has not been the underdog in a match since 2011. That’s over 250 matches! When it comes to the greatest pressure point, Serena appears to enjoy grabbing the chance to separate herself from the competition. Does she ever have doubts? Yes, she says. “I just embrace it and I bottle it up and I throw that bottle away. I just go for it.” Her mentality is one we can all embrace.
4. Find your work-life fuel. Bring your full self to everything you do. I believe that Serena finds ways to tap her inner strength on the tennis court because she has found a balance with her life outside of tennis. That sweet spot of work-life balance is highly public: she is a minority owner with the Miami Dolphins, designs her own line of clothes and footwear (called Greatness, naturally), headlines her own foundation, and is even taking premed classes. These outlets feed who she is as a person, and keeping a balance translates into optimal focus and results.
5. Never stop competing. At 33, Serena has been winning major titles for 16 years—pretty much half her life. What this says to me is that she wants to win at her core, and she needs to win for as long as she can. Only one person, Steffi Graf, has won more titles (22) and Serena will tie that if she wins the Open. We know she embodies the pure drive to win—will it be enough for a Grand Slam in 2015?
Your Game Changer Takeaway
Serena Williams shows us how to remain true to ourselves, trusting in our unique gifts and talents. Never measure yourself by your competition. Maximize your energy source by minimizing energy drains, and always keep pushing to distance yourself to the best that only you can be. There’s only one Serena, and there’s only one you.
Molly Fletcher helps inspire and equip game changers to dream, live and grow fearlessly. A keynote speaker and author , Molly draws on her decades of experiences working with elite athletes and coaches as a sports agent, and applies them to the business world. Sign up here to receive our monthly newsletter.
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