Overlay

Mindset is crucial to any entrepreneur’s personal and business growth. These days there is increasing awareness and adoption of mindset methodologies.

Athletes have been honing the power of mindset for a long time. So we asked Colin Jackson about his mindset, how it developed and why it’s important to entrepreneurs.

What part did your mindset play in your success in athletics?

Mindset for me is one of the most important things because everybody can prepare well physically. You’re gifted, you're talented physically, but a clear mindset is the most important thing.

So, it’s having that ability to focus and to stay committed. Mindset relates to the things that allow that to happen.

How did your mindset change between the start and the end of your career?

Mindset as you're developing is very different to when you become established as an athlete, and then again when you feel committed to retire. So, from the very beginning, I had the sense of wanting to achieve – that was my driving factor.

That sense of excitement and anticipation, that was my mindset at the beginning of my career. Then when you get into the middle and you're an established athlete, your focus changes.

Your mindset shifts from ‘okay, what have I learned in my development?’ to, as an established athlete, ‘where am I taking this mindset from here on in’? It has its own journey like everything else.

How did your mindset change between the start and the end of your career?

Mindset as you're developing is very different to when you become established as an athlete, and then again when you feel committed to retire. So, from the very beginning, I had the sense of wanting to achieve – that was my driving factor.

That sense of excitement and anticipation, that was my mindset at the beginning of my career. Then when you get into the middle and you're an established athlete, your focus changes.

Your mindset shifts from ‘okay, what have I learned in my development?’ to, as an established athlete, ‘where am I taking this mindset from here on in’? It has its own journey like everything else.

It's very tough when you're young because it's early mornings around the track, again and again. How do you use your mindset to make sure you keep enjoying what you’re doing?

Enjoyment has to be one of the premium reasons why you get involved in sport, you have to enjoy it very much. And when you have that sense of enjoyment, what you can do is apply all the hard work.

Achieving the goal you’ve set yourself, the feeling you’ll get, will be euphoric. So, it's easy to tie all these little pieces together to get to the very top of your game.

It becomes easy to get out there on rainy days. You can get out there, you can do it because of the sense of enjoyment.

Achieving the goal you’ve set yourself – the feeling you’ll get, will be euphoric!

Colin Jackson CBE

What about external influences? What influence did coaches, other athletes or even learning have on your mindset?

A lot! You learn from the stuff around you. Being around people that have experienced things and can articulate that to you, means you can learn a lot. They can teach you how to prepare yourself in particular environments and situations.

When you get to talk to people who've achieved things it makes a huge difference in your equilibrium, in your balance.

So, for me it was really important to rub shoulders and try and learn from people how to focus, how to stay committed and how to use my mindset in a positive manner.

And how would you describe that mindset in two sentences?

My mindset was all about achievement, and all I used to do is tie things together to help me achieve, I took the best from people that I knew, and then I applied things to my own situation.

It's all about how to put those thoughts into action and believe in it. So, if you believe in it and you've got the real passion for it, then you can achieve it.

What would you tell an entrepreneur who asks why mindset is important?

I would tell an entrepreneur, if you do not believe in a mindset and a positive mindset, then you're not going to go anywhere. You’ve got to believe in what you're doing. You've got to have that fun element and you've got to see it all the way through.

It's really easy just to step aside and go elsewhere. But if you've got a passion for something and a belief, roll with it! And even when it trips you up, don't worry, because that side of you, your passion, your drive, will see you through.

Watch Colin’s Beyond the Podium interview

Find out how to champion your inner athlete and build a growth mindset with our free Business Builder content here.

This material is published by NatWest Group plc (“NatWest Group”), for information purposes only and should not be regarded as providing any specific advice. Recipients should make their own independent evaluation of this information and no action should be taken, solely relying on it. This material should not be reproduced or disclosed without our consent. It is not intended for distribution in any jurisdiction in which this would be prohibited. Whilst this information is believed to be reliable, it has not been independently verified by NatWest Group and NatWest Group makes no representation or warranty (express or implied) of any kind, as regards the accuracy or completeness of this information, nor does it accept any responsibility or liability for any loss or damage arising in any way from any use made of or reliance placed on, this information. Unless otherwise stated, any views, forecasts, or estimates are solely those of NatWest Group, as of this date and are subject to change without notice. Copyright © NatWest Group. All rights reserved.

scroll to top