Break Point: Why your mindset matters more than your talent
I recently binge-watched the Netflix docuseries Break Point which followed top professional tennis players as they competed for the four grand slam titles and at the ATP and WTA tours in 2022 – 2023. Firstly, I have a deep appreciation and respect for professional athletes - the level of commitment, focus and discipline it takes to train and compete at that level of sport is unmatched. Secondly, why didn’t I start following tennis sooner? This docuseries and the off-the-court drama instantly turned me into a fan.
But beyond this newly found fandom and bucket list dream to one day watch a live tennis match at Wimbledon or Roland Garros, this series was able to capture the behind-the-scenes storylines of what separates a good tennis player from a great one. Aside from natural ability and 10 000 hours of rigorous training to cultivate this talent, a fine line that really separated the two types of players was having the right mindset. As I moved on from one episode to the next, it became evidently clear that mindset plays a vital role in determining the success of a tennis player.
This mindset doesn’t only include the mental state or attitude that a player needs to have to effectively interpret and respond to situations on and off the court. It also refers to the mental resilience and fortitude required to move through defeat, adversity and uncertainty both personally and professionally. The kind of mental strength that would allow a player to be fully present during a match and still be able to regulate his/her emotions without losing their focus. That even when the crowd is a distraction or the opposition is playing mind games, you stay in your game. I recall one of the players saying that when they are on the court, they are not only playing against their opponent, they are also playing against themselves. This is the kind of mindset that goes beyond the match point – one that is not exclusive to professional tennis players or any other kind of athlete for that matter.
As I watched the series, I tried drawing parallels and taking notes of how the players trained and competed to how I want to show up as I build my business. The players studied their craft, their opponents and put in hours of training, which in the business world means studying the market, studying the competition and refining/optimising my business model and services to meet my customer needs. These players also consistently had a solid team of people around them which included coaches, fitness trainers, family members and partners. In business, this is equivalent to having mentors, a business coach or business partner and similarly friends and family to form my support system as I journey through entrepreneurship.
And lastly, one characteristic that remains the same whether you’re a professional athlete or are new to entrepreneurship like I am, is having the right mindset. Having the right mindset helps you embrace change, it helps you to view challenges as opportunities for growth and exploration and it allows you to manage your emotions when difficulties or defeat arises. The right mindset matters more than talent or resources - it is the thing that makes a tennis player a grand slam winner and a business, a profitable and sustainable one in the long run.
That’s the key ingredient. That’s the secret sauce.
