A kid glued to the TV, watching every Mike Tyson fight like it’s the main event of his life. That was Bilat Shaista. But unlike most kids who just dream of being like their sports heroes, Bilat took it a step further. He wanted to lace up those gloves and step into the ring himself. Yet, his path was rocky. Amateur boxing clubs weren’t exactly rolling out the red carpet for him. But here’s the thing about Bilat – he’s not one to throw in the towel.
After bouncing around a couple of clubs, facing more challenges than knockouts, Bilat realized something crucial: if he wanted to make it, he had to pave his own way. Thats when he decided not just to sit around waiting for opportunities; rather he went all in for creating those opportunities. After discovering the role of self-sufficiency in his life, things started getting aligned. His ‘Every Punch Must Count’ mentality paid off beyond the ring, where he clinched titles and accolades, but also in the boardroom, where he transformed challenges into opportunities and setbacks into stepping stones towards success. He puts his journey as “Success rarely comes looking for you. Sometimes, you’ve got to be the one to go out and grab it by the horns.”
Setbacks Becomes Comebacks
After realizing that the amateur boxing scene wasn’t cutting it for him, he soon decided to test his mettle in the business world. But here’s the kicker – he didn’t have a fancy degree or a silver spoon prepared for him – things were mostly built on good old-fashioned hustle.
From working in hotels to exploring banking, he soaked up every bit of experience like a sponge. And just like in boxing, where “every punch teaches you something new”, every job taught brought an avenue to stretch out his problem-solving and perseverance skills. That analogy is an excellent reminder for any entrepreneur eager to launch a new product or service and make a significant impact on the world – it’s not about where you start but where you’re willing to take yourself.
The Champion’s Mindset
Occasionally, Bilat would abruptly stop his coachees amidst their most powerful position and advise them, “Hey, concentrate,” he cautions. “Power means nothing if it doesn’t hit its mark. And this requires a mindset.”
He didn’t just leave his boxing days in the past; he carried those lessons with him into the world of entrepreneurship. In the ring, you’ve got to be disciplined, focused, and always ready to roll with the punches. And guess what? The same goes for business.
Whether it’s planning your next move or staying disciplined in the face of challenges, his approach to business is straight out of the boxing playbook. And here’s the kicker – he didn’t just keep those lessons to himself. He’s passing them on to the next generation of fighters and entrepreneurs, showing them that with the right mindset, you can hit that mark like a breeze.
Take a Deep Breath
During training sessions, Bilat encourages brief pauses. In those fleeting moments, he encourages coachees to “savor the air,” a practice he instills by teaching trainees to “just breathe” and lower their heart rate during breaks.
These breaks are reminders to stop and smell the roses. Many entrepreneurs get so engrossed in the moment that they neglect to pause, take a deep breath, and reflect on their accomplishments. He says, “Remind yourself to enjoy the oxygen, it’s definitely a great way to feel ready for the rest of your workout. Taking time to appreciate the journey helps in maintaining resilience in the face of challenges over the long haul.”
He states, “Boxing like a pro does not mean to throw punches at the first chance you get against your opponent. It’s a strategic way of dealing with things.” These little pauses are meant to be a subtle assurance that, circumstances take a turn for the worse, and it’s important to have the physical and mental capability to defend yourself.”
Amidst the rings and entrepreneurial world, he recollected his journey in such a way, “While being in the ring and fighting may seem straightforward, what sticks with me most is the challenging journey leading up to it. Coming into the sport underdeveloped taught me the value of self-reliance and finding my own path to success. This mindset has had a profound impact on shaping who I am today.”
