losing gracefully, and the importance of good leadership are all learned from little league through college football. But it's easy to forget these lessons in our day-to-day business lives.

However, watching professional sports teams can remind us of those lessons we learned early on. Here are a few lessons we can learn from professional athletes to help us as entrepreneurs.

The importance of a mentor. Young athletes benefit greatly from the guidance of older, more experienced athletes. Even athletes at the top of their game look to previous medalists for advice. In business, the young, aspiring entrepreneur seeks the example of the business leader who has climbed the ranks. By taking the younger businessperson under his wing, the more experienced person acts as a mentor, passing on wisdom he learnedswift, but to those who keep on running." In business and on the field, success goes to the person who gets back up every time he's knocked down. Even small failures don't stop him. He keeps trying, day after day, year after year.

Winning with grace. Some people are so fiercely competitive, they gloat over accomplishments. This, of course, alienates teammates and clients. As athletes learn on the field, winning gracefully is as important as losing gracefully. The true winner shakes the hand of each member of the opposing team, thanks him for a good game, and exits the field. In the boardroom, a professional entrepreneur maintains his cool at all times, even when having accomplished the deal of a lifetime.

Losing with grace. Losing is never easy, but a