12 Lessons from Michael Schumacher
“If you are lucky enough to be famous, then it’s great if you can use your fame and the power your fame gives you to draw attention to things that really matter.”
# 1 — Don’t blame others in public.
Schumacher had once to exit from the Chinese Grand Prix. The reason for it was that one of his wheels was not properly attached when he entered the pit stops for the first time. While many drivers would have gone nuts for something like that, Michael Schumacher had no hard feelings. He actually felt sorry for one of his team members who he thought must have felt responsible for his exit. Schumacher looked at this event as “part of the game”, even though this could have been the best result after his comeback. So, no ranting, no blame, no raving, no recriminations, no tantrums, just a simple straightforward comment delivered to a reporter. We don’t know what is going on behind closed doors in the formula one environment, however, problems should be discussed and sorted out behind closed doors and not in public. If you have to cope with a bitter disappointment do it with style and maturity. That’s what Michael Schumacher did by choosing demeanour and words that were more powerful than any open conflict would have done. Surely an example to follow!
# 2 — Know how to create a winning team.
Even though many people describe Schumacher as arrogant and smug, one cannot deny the fact that he has proven more than once that he has the ability to create a winning team around him. A team that can achieve extraordinary results, and that on a consistent basis over long periods of time in a very competitive sports world. The fact is that the way you deal with your own failures will define the team.
# 3 — Be passionate.
If you are passionate, you will automatically be motivated to do what you love doing. So, don’t waste your time doing things that you don’t like. Focus on things that you feel enthusiastic about and succeed.
# 4 — Records are there to be broken.
Michael Schumacher’s ambition made him become the only Formula One Racer in this world to win 7 World Championship titles. His credo was always that records are there to be broken. However, statistics where never in his mind, that was not the reason for his passion for racing.
# 5 — You need to prove yourself every time.
If you win a race once, you need to prove yourself every time afterwards that you can win it again. It doesn’t just happen automatically. You win once, but for the next race you need to put again 100 % effort into it in order to keep up that position.
# 6 — Keep fighting even if the chances are very low.
A race is only finished once it’s really finished. No matter what experts predict, you need to keep fighting, never give up, even if chances are very little.
# 7 — You don’t win it alone.
In Formula One you can’t go it all alone. Never forget that in Formula One you need to rely on several team members in order to finish your race first. You can be the greatest racer, but if your technical team is performing poorly, your efforts will vanish.
# 8 — Don’t care whether people like it or not.
Michael Schumacher always liked to push things to the limit, no matter whether people liked it or not. He believed that as long as it is allowed, he will not allow anyone to stop him in his actions.
# 9 — Hide your emotions in order not to show your weakness.
Michael Schumacher believes that it’s for every sportsman the same: if you start showing emotions to others they will perceive you as weak. Therefore, it’s better to hide them.
# 10 — Ups and downs don’t just exist in sports.
You will face up and downs throughout your life, it’s not any different when it comes to sports. One day you will feel great once you get up and the other day you will feel anything else than great.
# 11 — Learn to deal with the pressure.
Michael Schumacher believes that if you know who you are and what you are supposed to do in your job, you will be able to cope with pressure much easier.
# 12 — Accidents can happen everywhere.
Michael Schumacher had never any serious car accident in his sportive career. In 20.. while being in Switzerland for some winter holidays he fell so badly when skiing that he suffered serious head injuries which left him in coma. Ever since he still in the process of rehabilitation. What can we learn from this experience? You don’t need to participate in a risky sport to get injured, it can hit you in an unexpected moment doing something that you love, even if it’s not risky.
