Olympics - the ultimate test!

I’m completely in awe of every single one of the 10,000+ Olympic athletes competing in the 2012 Olympics.  I so admire every one of them! Not really being a fan of watching any sport on TV, I’ve not watched a whole lot of the competitions but I still admire their drive. I’m an adamant fan of the focus and drive of these athletes. The amount of time and determination that they’ve spent in preparing for their competition is beyond my comprehension.

My all-time favorite sport to watch is the Formula 1 Grand Prix but that’s because my favorite driver, Michael Schumacher, is such a perfectionist. I had the pleasure of watching him in person at a Grand Prix race in Barcelona and have to say that I’m convinced that he practices perfection in everything that he does! Not only has he won many Formula 1 races, he knows the cars he drives inside and out and continually advises with the engineers to make the car run better and better. (Anyone who disagrees with me will have a fight on their hands.)

I have to admit that I’m one of those people whose brain and interests skips from topic to topic. Sometimes this happens on a minute-to-minute basis – just ask my husband about some of our conversations. I’d love to be as focused as these Olympic competitors, but my brain just doesn’t work that way. My brain is constantly wondering “what if” or “why” or “why not” and then it hops on to a totally different topic and those questions just repeat themselves.  I’d really love to have only one focus such as an Olympic competitive sport if only for a short time – but it just will never happen. In fact, most mornings, I have to kick my bum out the door to work out, whether at the gym or on our cross island trail or this summer at the pool. Other days, I get so wrapped up in various projects that working out really is my most hated chore. I just am not into any “one” exercise or sport and it was only when I was working out with a trainer that I felt motivated.

My point is that these athletes have shown us that whatever you want to accomplish can be done, through determination and initiative, along with a passion for your goal. These Olympic winners, and their competitors, all have things in common that we can learn from.  They are absolutely clear about what their goal is, or goals as some of them have come away with several gold medals. They also have a total belief and trust that they will win and they are confident that they are the best.  Even if they don’t come first, they take positive action to try and better their time or performance in the next race.

The last couple of weeks of Olympics has shown us that the competitions are all about holding nothing back. It’s also about motivation. It isn’t always easy day in and day out to find that motivation. This is one key that we can learn from the Olympic greats. We can apply motivation and drive to our own lives and our own goals. Our goals don’t just automatically happen on their own; we have to take the steps necessary to get there, day-by-day.

 
“Success isn't a result of spontaneous combustion. You must set yourself on fire.”

Arnold H. Glasow

 “Try not. Do or do not. There is no try” Yoda in The Empire Strikes Back