I don't watch a lot of sports on TV but I do love watching the Olympic Games and the pursuit of excellence that the athletes bring to the table. It is about the success of victory and the high emotions that come with defeat and disappointment.
As I am writing this article I am watching the men's diving competition and the concentration on the diver's faces before they leave the board and what it took for them to get to this point is amazing. Persistence is one word that comes to my mind as I appreciate the dedication that each athlete comes to the games with and their ability to focus and block distractions is unbelievable.
Canada's Alexandre Despatie's made it to the final 3-metre springboard even though only six weeks ago he was laying in a hospital with a concussion after a devastating injury when he grazed his head on the board. The persistence and dedication that it took for him to make a comeback is remarkable. Then Russia beat China for the gold medal in the springboard event which was an unbelievable feat for Russia as the Chinese have dominated this arena since 1984.
If you don't think you have what it takes to be a champion, think again. Champions aren't born, they are trained and molded. Champions have mindsets with the right thinking, beliefs and expectations that lead to powerful results. Imagine what would be possible if YOU chose your best performance every day.
Champions think differently than everyone else. They approach their life and work with a different mindset and belief system that separates them from the pack. They have a superb work hard ethic and an ability to set and achieve goals.
Champions have an ability to cope with and control anxiety and they show great confidence and toughness.
Champions don't know what mediocrity is.
Champions don't let the 'SOMEDAY SYNDROME' get in the way, you know the syndrome I'm talking about...someday I'll do this and someday I'll do that. What have you been putting off for too long?
Champions expect to win. No matter what sport I have watched during the Olympics I haven't seen one athlete come out to their sport not expecting to win. They have their mindset set on winning.
Champions have a championship spirit. They believe in their abilities even when they are the underdog and never underestimate achieving a medal.
Champions face their fears. Fear of failure or fear of success and fear of stepping out of their comfort zones. Their faith is greater than their fear. If fear wasn't a factor, what would you tackle?
Champions celebrate the wins along the way. By celebrating small wins, champions gain confidence to go after bigger wins. Today watching the women's volleyball, for each point they received they hugged each other, high fived each other and celebrated each and every point.
Champions don't make excuses. In watching the games, when an athlete makes a mistake they own it, they don't lay blame on others. They see their mistakes as an opportunity to grow and do better the next time and this makes them stronger.
Champions are committed. They have a long journey to get to the Olympics and they know they have to commit to the training process in order to get where they want to go. They count on their coaches and mentors.
Champions have good attitudes. They keep their attitude in check and don't let the small things bring them down. They are always polishing their skills.
Champions never give up. You can see the intense disappointment in the faces of the athletes that don't win. But, they overcome the disappointment by wanting to practice and polish their skills so they can compete again in the next Olympics with the goal of winning still in site. Their passion is greater than their challenges.
The Olympic motto is "Citius, Altius, Fortius." These three Latin words mean "Swifter, Higher, Stronger." Baron de Coubertin borrowed the motto from Father Henri Martin Dideon, the headmaster of Arcueil College in Paris. Father Dideon used the motto to describe the great achievements of the athletes at his school. Coubertin felt it could be used to describe the goals of great athletes all over the World.
The summer Olympics only happen once every four years. In life, the game is always on. You get to decide how you want to participate. Go forward and WIN!!
