The Olympic Winner’s Circle and Life
Posted by Don MacAdam
One of the e-zines that I get is from Dr. Denis Waitley. In his February 23, 2010 edition he makes some excellent observations as he ties together winning, the Olympic Games, and life.
The Winner’s Circle by Dr. Denis Waitley
Every four years we see those five brilliant, interlocking Olympic rings on flags and in television and billboard advertising globally. The Olympic Games are where the best in the world go for the gold and the few stand, listening to their national anthem, in the coveted winner’s circle. If the five Olympic rings were attitudes of champions in every profession, these five attitudes would be prominent in the mindset of the peak performer:
Paying the Price. Everyone wants to win, but few are willing to invest the time and effort. Paying the price means focusing on developing the skills and training regimen of champions—observation, imitation, repetition and the internalization of knowledge into habits; also, learning why and how to go the extra mile and seeing success as a marathon, not a dash. Champions view failures as temporary inconveniences and learning experiences.
The Olympian Within. Winners believe in their worth in advance of their performance. Most people base their worth on their current status or achievement level, which means that until they are judged successful by society’s standards, they have little to be proud of. Champions believe in their dreams when they have only a dream to hang on to, even in the face of criticism and superior achievements by others.
Non-situational Integrity. Authentic, lasting winners have an uncompromising attitude about self-honesty. They function according to an “integrity triangle,” consisting of three basic questions: (a) Are my beliefs based upon truth? (b) Do my words and actions correspond with truth and honesty? (c) Before I speak or act, do I honestly consider the impact of my decision on other people and the environment?
The “Coachability” Factor. Champions are always open to alternatives to improve their performance. Consistent winners are not the arrogant egotists who dominate the media spotlight. The most successful individuals in the game of life are often the most approachable, most gracious, least judgmental of others and most critical of their own performances, as well as most eager to learn and improve.
Being a Team Player. A team in harmony is synergy in motion, where the whole is greater than the sum of the individual talents. When all assignments are understood, when each takes 100 percent responsibility for the outcome, a quantum leap in performance takes place. Winners learn how to become interdependent—without sacrificing individuality—and how to stand out, while fitting in.
This is good advice with a timely Olympic twist. Hope it stimulates some thought about life.
Keeping Perspective When Setting Expectations
Posted by Don MacAdam
A great as the Vancouver Olympics have been on so many levels, it seems like the Canadian athletes were set up to fail. A campaign with the slogan ‘Own the Podium’ has been blasted at the Canadian population for months now.
Here is part of an op ed in Tuesday’s Globe and Mail Published on Monday, Feb. 22, 2010.
As Jean Chrétien might say, nervous Nellies, relax. Canada’s men’s hockey team is coming together. It has talent and is playing with pride. The world is not going to end today when Canada plays Germany to qualify for the Olympic medal round. Canada will win, setting up a nail-biting quarter-final tomorrow against a fantastically talented Russian team. The world will not end at least until then. And possibly not even then.
It would be terribly ironic if the Own the Podium Olympics, the games that were supposed to mark a cultural shift emphasizing Canadian excellence, resulted in its opposite, a loss of faith in the verity that, come what may on the slopes, Canadians excel in hockey. That verity has survived the reality that, in the three Olympics since professional players were allowed in, Canada has won just one gold in men’s hockey. (It also won the 2004 World Cup of Hockey, for those who are keeping score.)
It seems to be second nature in sports, and life, to set the bar at a level that will more often bring failure. Why? Have we been conditioned to do this? Are we creating more losers than winners? You bet we are!
Why not prepare the best we can, utilize the resources and talents available as best we can, then accept the results for what they are. Overachieving is good. Surpassing expectations is a good thing too. Neither result belongs in the loss column.
Let’s keep results in perspective, enjoy the experience, and applaud the effort.
