The Narrow Margins of Success: Lessons from the Olympic 100m Final for Business and Life

In the world of athletics, particularly in the highly competitive 100m sprint, the difference between winning and losing often comes down to milliseconds. This was demonstrated in the men's 100m final at the Paris 2024 Olympics, where Noah Lyles clinched victory by just five-thousandths of a second. This razor-thin margin serves as a powerful metaphor for business and life, highlighting the importance of preparation, the inevitability of unforeseen outcomes, and the enduring sting of regret from not preparing adequately.

The Importance of Preparation

Noah Lyles' victory was a testament to his preparation and relentless training. Every stride, breath, and movement had been honed over years of dedicated practice. Similarly, in business and life, preparation is the bedrock of success. Companies and individuals who invest time and resources into thorough planning, skill development, and strategic foresight often position themselves to capitalise on opportunities and navigate challenges effectively.

In the corporate world, this could mean conducting market research, building a robust business plan, or continually updating skills to stay ahead of industry trends. For individuals, it might involve educational pursuits, professional development, or personal growth activities. Preparation doesn't guarantee success, but it significantly enhances the probability of achieving desired outcomes.

The Unpredictability of Outcomes

Despite the best preparation, the final outcome can still be unpredictable. Kishane Thompson, who led for most of the race, was narrowly beaten by Lyles. This unpredictability is a reality both in sports and in life. Market conditions can change suddenly, new competitors can emerge, and unexpected events (like a global pandemic) can disrupt even the best-laid plans, and sometimes, you just don't get the result you wanted despite an immaculate preparation. At the highest level, someone might just be better.

The Pain of Inadequate Preparation

Perhaps the most poignant lesson from the 100m final is the regret that comes from not preparing adequately. While Lyles had the satisfaction of his hard work paying off, any athlete knows the gut-wrenching feeling of falling short due to insufficient preparation. In business and life, this regret can be even more acute.

Consider an entrepreneur who fails to secure funding because they didn’t prepare a compelling pitch, or a job candidate who misses out on a dream role due to a lack of interview preparation. These scenarios underscore the painful reality that while not every effort guarantees success, inadequate preparation almost certainly ensures failure.

Regret from lack of preparation is often more painful than the disappointment of an unexpected loss. The latter can be rationalised as being beyond one’s control, but the former haunts with the knowledge that the outcome might have been different with just a bit more effort and foresight.

When something you could have controlled is the reason for the outcome not being reached, that is what will really kill someone.

In Health

The same can be said of your health. You can prepare as best you possibly can but still get injured or sick. Does that mean you shouldn't prioritise your health and fitness? Absolutely not.

You have to control what you can - how you train, eat and manage stress. You have to put yourself in the best possible position to 'succeed'.

Unfortunately, people don't because they feel invincible, especially us men. But the biggest regret is not doing more when you had the chance, not controlling what you could. I have seen it before and the regret when you are sick is what gets you.

Take this as your notice to start now.

We can't see the impact living a healthy lifestyle has on us because we don't know what we don't know but I can ensure you it is helping. Who do you want to be in the future? Who do you want to be for your family?

Don't leave it until you see the impact of not living a healthy life rear its head.