5 things we can learn from MS Dhoni

1. Keep Things Simple

Dhoni doesn’t look at things as black or white. He doesn’t try doing everything at once. Every task, whether daunting or menial, is broken into simpler ones. Then, each step is worked on. The chase in the 2011 World Cup final is an example. He and Gambhir ran hard between the wickets, and set targets for each over. This helped them get closer to the finish line. Dhoni then made India cross it with a historic six.

It’s a myth that complex solutions are effective. Aim to simplify. Ask yourself, “how can I make this simpler?” And don’t shy away from trying. You won’t just solve problems with ease.

2. Live in the present

Compared to the past and future, the present is the most implement important. Take the positives and learning out of the past, implement it in the present and you will get favourable results in the future - MS Dhoni

3. Handle Tough Situations

Stop planning things in your bedroom, or chasing perfection. Expose yourself to more situations and increase your experience. This enhances your self belief. And it builds your ability to think differently.

4. Embrace Chaos

Mahendra Singh Dhoni remains calm during chaos, like a rock in a stormy ocean. The same percolates into his team.

When we encounter chaos, we try putting things in order immediately. Dhoni, instead, embraces it. Here, his abilities to assimilate information and look at things from different angles, come in handy. Then his wisdom, amassed over the years, emerges. If often yields favorable results.

5. Build Mental Models

During a game – whether he stands behind the stumps, staring pensively at the pitch, or bats to take India home – his subconscious mind keeps working. He assimilates information about playing conditions and team members. This is how he develops the ability to look at things from different angles and come up with innovative solutions.

Let your mind gather information freely. Soak in all ideas. You don’t know when seemingly unrelated ideas connect and create remarkable synapses in your head. This creativity further boosts self belief.