What we can learn from the Olympic Games?

Training, focus and self-discipline are the main ingredients in any success driven goal. All serious athletes have to put other distractions to one side as they concentrate their time, energy and enthusiasm on their ultimate objective. Similarly, when something is important enough to us we need to fully commit all our attention.

Success entails working with others and co-operating. Even individual sports require a team effort with trainers, nutritionists, sports psychologists all liaising and sharing ideas and strategies. A successful team effort recognises the importance of utilising each other’s different skill sets. Setting aside differences and co-operating with each other enables the best possible outcome from a joint effort.

Asking for help can be an important component in success. Sometimes admitting that we don’t have all the answers and need to ask for help or admitting that we’re on the wrong track and need help in putting things right can make all the difference to the eventual outcome. And a little humility often indicates an important shift in attitude and outlook towards better flexibility and improved receptivity of thinking.

Using defeat as a motivating factor is an important lesson from competing at the highest level. When a high jumper clears the bar he or she simply raises it to the next level until he eventually fails. Using defeat as the motivation to explore what it takes to succeed is an important lesson to learn from top athletes.

Learning to lose with good grace knowing that we’ve done our best is an important life skill. Losing brings disappointment, especially when we’ve been working with dedication and commitment for years. But acknowledging that we’ve tried our best, today someone else is better, allows us to congratulate the worthy winner whilst not becoming discouraged ourselves.

-Signing off @ 9:34 PM-