As many of you know, one of my hobbies and passions is boxing. I’m a bit too old to be super-competitive with some of the younger guys in the gym. However, I’ve learned that the wisdom, patience and self-understanding that comes with age, helps to offset some of the age discrepancy. As I rotate from business consulting to boxing each day, I can’t help but notice many striking similarities between business and boxing. I’ve listed the top 10 below:
10) Learn to relax under pressure. Tension wins you no points. It wears you out mentally and physically faster, and shows your opponent you’re vulnerable and an easier target. Always stay loose.
9) There is always someone bigger, stronger, faster, more experienced or hungrier than you out there. But hopefully no one with all 5.
8) Strength and size can easily be beaten by speed and precision.
7) The “fight” is won months and weeks before the competition. Prepare, prepare, prepare. If you wait the day before, or decide to “wing it”, you’ll lose easily to a lesser opponent who prepares harder.
6) Persistence, Persistence, Persistence. The winner of many boxing matches is not the hardest hitter, or even the best fighter. It’s the fighter who is in the best shape, who tires last.
5) Have a strategy. Boxing is like chess, not checkers. For every action, there is a reaction. Good opponents always learn from you, adapt to you, and try to time your next step to beat you there. You must do the same.
4) Boxing, business, and life are about give and take. You must learn how to take a punch. If you’ve decided to play the game, learn how to take your lumps, counter attack, and move on. Don’t be scared to get hit….hard.
3) Listen to those with experience whom you trust (i.e. boxing coach). They can see things in you and your opponent that you can’t. If you don’t know anyone like this, find them….fast.
2) Things NEVER go as planned. As soon as the first jab lands on your nose, the plan may change. Be willing to adapt on the fly. Be in the present moment.
1) You must risk “coming inside” to land a hit and to win. Thus, the only way you can win, is to risk getting hit. No risk, no reward.
