The amazing sporting moments, the highs and lows that Australia saw at the Commonwealth Games, have a lot in common with running a small business, or finding that new, perfect, workplace. 

Sometimes you have to have the low points to get to where you want, and ultimately with hard work and a long-term strategy, things will pay off in the end.

Who could forget Australian road cyclist Steele von Hoff, who won a gold medal in the men's road race just seven weeks after breaking six vertebrae in his neck and back.

Or Australian track cyclist Matthew Glaetzer, who bombed out despite being the red hot favourite in the men's sprint event, losing to slowest qualifier, Malaysian Muhammad Sharon.

Just two days later, and with a huge amount of pressure on him by the sport hungry Australian public, he put that behind him to win the gold medal in the 1000 metre time trial.

Confidence in Your Ability

Both von Hoff and Glaetzer never gave up, and they had confidence in their ability and from their hours of hard work and training, they had a strategy in place so things would turn around.

The President of The Real Estate Institute of Australia, Malcolm Gunning from Gunning Real Estate, said there are comparisons between being a successful athlete, and having success in the commercial real estate business - whether that be as an investor, or finding that perfect location to run a business.

"Like a successful athlete, you have to have a clear and forward plan when it comes to commercial real estate," he said. 

"As an athlete you don't have outstanding performances without a successful training plan, and the commercial real estate business is the same. 

"Rarely is it a quick turn around, you have to adopt a long-term plan much the same as an athlete in the Commonwealth Games." 

Both von Hoff and Glaetzer, and nearly every single professional athlete, has major setbacks in their career, and Gunning said the same thing happens in the commercial real estate world.

Things go wrong, but it's how you pick up yourself and get on with it that matters.

Don’t be Put Off by Setbacks

"You cannot be put off or disenchanted when you have a short term setback," Gunning said.

"It may be a roof leak or you may have a major tenant leave.”

"You have to be prepared for this, and have the ability to manage it." 

Also sometimes in sport it's not about winning that gold medal, but achieving something to the best of your ability and managing your expectations, and the same goes for commercial real estate.

"Do not expect results beyond your capability," Gunning said.

"Doing a personal best is a bit like making a profit slightly above market."

“Don’t be greedy, that is what matters.”

In the end perhaps the words of gold medal winning cyclist Glaetzer ring very true, something the commercial real estate world could take notice of when things go wrong.

“Just get my head space in the right area, just go out there and do what I do best and reset for another day,” he said.

“I knew I had a job to do today, so that is what I had to do.” 

 

Cover image: Australian track cyclist Matthew Glaetzer (Photo Courtesy of Instagram)