5 Life Lessons We Can Learn From Superstar Athletes

The world of sports has definitely provided us with a lot of entertainment both on and off the field.

When athletes aren't winning games or breaking records, they're usually offering up some pretty useful advice.

Here are five simple and important lessons we can learn from power athletes Maria Sharapova and David Beckham:

1. Once you get hit, face it and move on.

There will be many times in your life where you will be judged, criticized and frowned upon, especially in the world of business. David Beckham has had his great share of criticism, but nothing has stopped him from reaching the top; it all comes down to how he handles any obstacle that comes his way. He says:

“In the end, always be polite. Be honest. It's all about how you handle that situation."

2. Build your identity or personal brand.

It is normal to not know what you want out of life or to be completely comfortable with who you are as an individual, but that doesn't mean you can't improve upon on it. Try different things to find your niche. Once you do so, establish yourself and your brand.

Think about Beckham's many billboards across the world: How do you think he got there?

I am not saying that is what you should aim for; what I am saying is Beckham reached a successful point in his career by understanding what he values, building upon what he stands for and sharing his brand.

As you are also aware, you are lucky to have unlimited resources, such as LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram, to build your presence online and connect with the people who could help lift your career. If you want to reach the top and be successful, you have to focus on yourself first, and then get your presence out there.

3. Once you find your niche and your focus, enforce it and reinforce it.

Know that you will always have a destination to reach. Keep working; there is always room for improvement. Beckham once stated:

“If I had a bad game, I'd hear all about that. When I was playing for Manchester United, playing something like 200 games and winning European Cup finals, my dad still wouldn't let me get away with saying, 'I've made it.' So that's one thing I have never done and never will do.”

4. Your love for what you do should always stay alive in order for you to strive for increasing greatness.

Sharapova began her career at the age of 14. She is now 24 years old and considered a veteran of the sport, but her love for it has not changed one bit:

“I love this sport as much as I loved it, you know, when I was at that age. Every day I feel like I can improve and that makes me feel young. I feel like I still have a lot of energy and desire.”

When you lose your love for something, you will fall off the ladder of success. If you no longer love and enjoy what you're doing, move on.

5. Be willing to go above and beyond.

Players like Beckham and Sharapova have had years of training, working a countless number of hours in order to get to where they are right now. Being successful requires dedication and commitment towards your goal.

In addition, for different people, it takes different speeds to get to the top because it all depends on your own personal and professional development. You have to constantly work on it and put in the time.

Sure, not all of us are going to want to be or to meet famous people, hit grand slams, win World Cups, marry a pop star, or have our face (or our body for that matter) on a billboard. Figure out what you want in your life and work towards it by reminding yourself of these five points.

Everyone's definition of success is different, and there is no right or wrong success. Just remember, it is your life and your success. It is for you, not for anyone else. Choose to do something about it.

Photo credit: Getty Images