What the 2010 FIFA World Cup can Teach Us

Image by Art 4 Inspiration

As the FIFA World Cup has been dominating not only my television but the focus of most of the population, I have realised that there are some lessons from the group rounds in South Africa, that we can apply to our lives.

Event 1: Italy did not win a single game and are out
Lesson: You can be on top of your game (they were champions 4 years ago), yet if you play with fear and confusion, depending on cheating to win - you will lose. Italy have a lot of talented players yet still no team as their mindset is one of ego and self-importance. True championship winning teams work with an attitude of cooperation and collaboration, not worrying about who scores or gets the credit for the success. Their priority is using their strengths and potential to ensure victory, each playing their part in the team so that the team triumphs.

Event 2: New Zealand did not lose a single game and are out
Lesson: When you display determination and a fighting spirit, when you give it your all and not give up, you will be seen as a hero to those who witnessed your efforts. This is regardless of the outcome. The strength of character that the New Zealand players showed in the face of stronger adversities, can only take them on to a bigger and brighter future. They went to South Africa as underdogs, took on the challenge with a great sense of self-belief and a vision of success and will be going home heroes.

Event 3: The USA topped their group over the football giants England
Lesson: It was assumed that the American team were going to have to fight for second position in their group behind the might and talent of the English team. However, the USA were working with the strong belief, that they made public, that they could beat any team in the competition. The USA paired this positive thinking with high quality preparation and intelligent use of the talent on the team. By creating a culture of self belief and success before the tournament, the Americans were able to progress through the challenges they faced and scale great heights to shine.

Event 4: France come bottom in their group
Lesson: Conceit, arrogance and blatant displays of disrespect coupled with a blame mentality saw the French "team" self-destruct. The French blamed their results on everything from the ball, the refereeing, to the weather. The only thing they could agree on was that they were not at fault. This victim mentality, if left to fester usually spirals downwards to failure. Yet it can be taken as a warning that a change is required. If you find yourself blaming external circumstances, you might need to look at how you can respond, what actions can you take to help you reach your goals and make a positive difference to your life situation.

Event 5: Australia let a bad start ruin their chances to qualify
Lesson: While a poor start can lower the odds of your future success, moving forward depends a lot on the attitude you take with you. Australia have the talent to take on the Germans, what they lacked was the self-belief. Australia did not believe they could beat the Germans and they proved themselves right. Even when you are losing, if you take on an attitude of defeat instead of fighting on, it will be your future downfall. You need to notice the signs of self-doubt and take immediate action to overcome it. Look for evidence that supports and builds on the positive rather than the negative and see the difference it can make.

So as the World Cup frenzy continues to take over the globe, it will be fun and interesting to watch for more lessons we can learn.

What the 2010 FIFA World Cup can Teach Us

Do Be Do

Recently, I agreed to completing some tasks that I know would help move my business forward, yet every time I sat down to get them started something else seemed to take my attention. Then, with the universe conspiring to make me stop and take stock of what was happening, through an illness that required bedrest. I had the time to ponder on why I was really putting off these tasks.

I came to the realisation that I associated the tasks with an identity that I didn't want for myself. I am an artist and a photographer. While the tasks I was working on were business related. I was spending 90% of my time (at least) on business stuff; marketing, promotions, budgets, finances, systems. And next to none on photography. In fact I hadn't picked up my camera for over a fortnight, which would probably surprise those who know me personally. My psyche was trying to tell me that I needed to get back to doing what I love and am.

After a major mental breakdown, through the help of those nearest and dearest to me, it finally came to me (like being hit by a truck comes upon you) that I didn't want the identity of a business person yet everything that I was doing was leading me to be one. I love being a photographer, yet I wasn't doing it - and wondering why I was unhappy and stressed.

Now I am doing what I love - taking beautiful images of all the miracles that the universe puts my way. I also realised that while I don't like doing the other tasks, they do need to be done. So found someone who I trust and who loves doing all the business stuff, and is excellent at it thus making it a win-win situation.

I will become a success, by doing what I love and by being true to myself because that's what I do best. I will also become a success by having a team around me that all love doing what they need to do and trusting that they will do it to the best of their ability. Because no-one lives on this planet by themselves and we need each other to become the best we can be.

The final realisation I had was that it don't matter of the identity you have for yourself, it might be photographer, business person, athlete, speaker or parent. You still need to be doing tasks that are a integral part of that identity. So as a photographer, I take photos. If you are an athlete, you do your chosen sport; if your identity is that of speaker, you get up on stage in front of as many people as often as you can and speak.

In other words, you DO (take the action) to BE (your chosen identity). Just take a moment to really ask yourself are you being and doing all that you can to be the best that you can be.

Do Be Do