Unleash the Winning Olympian in You!

Several months ago, the greatest athletes in the world were in London competing for gold at the 2012 Summer Olympics. Many of these 10,000 plus elite competitors from more than 200 countries trained their entire lives for a moment of glory on the world stage. Their drive, determination and mental training can teach us a lot no matter what our life goal may be. One of the much anticipated highlights of the summer games was the men’s 100 meter dash. It determined the fastest man on the planet. And reigning Olympic champion Usain Bolt of Jamaica defended his title with a blistering run that electrified the world—again. You remember, Bolt “bolted” to the finish line in 9.63 seconds, setting a new Olympic record and quieting critics who questioned whether he had it in him to repeat his stunning 2008 performance in Beijing. For bolt, running to win is a lifestyle. And it can be a great analogy for life itself. rnWinning takes tremendous effort even after years of grueling training. You never stop or sit on your laurels because you are good at what you do. In fact you train or study even harder. You are only as good as your last race, your last promotion, that last work project, that last speech. And there is always room for improvement. That’s the spirit of an Olympian. That must be our spiritual mantra as well, if we plan to set ourselves up for success in life. So, why do these Olympic athletes put themselves through such extreme, agonizing training? And what can we learn from their rigorous practice? Can their winning strategies help us become better in our everyday lives? Olympians do what they do for the love of the game. They don’t just want to win, they are passionate and will stop at nothing to win. And that takes tremendous focus, a singleness of mind, determination to press through pain, mental and physical anguish, and the agony of defeat, all to eventually enjoy the sweet taste of Olympic victory. So how can you train the Olympic winner in you? Here are four basic rules ranked high on the list of many Olympic athletes. 1. Make sure what you are going after is well defined. You can’t be fuzzy, unclear or double minded. Remember, “A double minded man is unstable in all his ways.” 2. Begin with the end in mind. Visualize yourself already where you want to be. That brings it into the “now” space and triggers your brain’s eagerness to find ways to get it done. 3. Be passionate about your goals. If you are not, you won’t last. When you are clear about your purpose, passion shows up. When you are passionate about a thing, doing it is a joy not a dread. And no matter how hard, the work to get it done is satisfying. 4. You must be self-motivated. Coaches are crucial. Friends who cheer you on are great. But you must always be the president of your fan club. Only you are with you 24-7. You and only you can decide to “think yourself happy” when discouragement sets in. Stephen Covey said: “Motivation is a fire from within. If someone else tries to light that fire under you, chances are it will burn very briefly.” Great Olympians know how to dig deep when things get rough. They can find their second wind when it feels like they have given their all and their lungs are about to collapse under the pressure to make it to the finish line. That’s when winners override their feelings and run on sheer determination and will power. You too can run your race like an Olympic champion. You’ve got what it takes. Don’t skip your daily training. Your level of hunger and personal commitment to your life purpose will determine your level of discipline. Your level of discipline and hard work will determine whether you win a gold, silver or bronze medal in life–or live life disappointed. On your mark. Get set. Go!