The importance of winning the gold medal?
| Category: Personal Development For Marketeers | Date: 2001-04-02 |
With the Olympic Games only weeks away from starting in Sydney, Australia there is a huge euphoria and mania about The Games. Not only are they out of season for everyone concerned (it will the beginning of spring in the Southern Hemisphere) but everyone will be walking around upside down in the land "Down Under".
Almost every Olympic Games is the biggest and best there has been. It's not just a place to compete at the highest level possible, it has also become a spectacle bringing out what the host nation can offer and show the world. It could be likened to an exposition of one country to the world. Amongst all the madness,hype, expectations, lead up and not to mention the longest Olympic Torch Relay ever undertaken, the bottom line comes back to the participants; the athletes. It is they who compete against one another to be the best they can be at their chosen sport.
It is these athletes in every sport who have the opportunity to compete amongst the world's best and to strut their stuff in front of a world audience spreading to some 200 or so countries. As far as intensity and tradition goes the Olympics are way up there.
Now, about these participants from all over the globe. Why are they there? If you were to ask any of them the most common answer they would give is to win gold for themselves and for their country. It brings out patriotism of the highest order. But above this it brings out superhuman performance above and beyond any other call that affects so many people. It is this astounding and outstanding level of performance that I want to talk about today.
For many just to perform at the Olympic Games is a huge honor and reward in itself but when they are in the team the goal changes. Well, maybe it doesn't change it simply expands. They want the Gold Medal. How important is a Gold Medallion? Most of the athletes have an avid, keen, non-blinkered interest in their chosen sport. It's something they love, appreciate, understand and respect. Their love for their chosen sport is obvious in the way they devote themselves almost daily in a ritual of practise & training. They understand the importance of their physical and mental condition. They must be in tip top condition the whole time to enable optimum performance. This is hard work but their passion, love and desire propels them forward as they pursue what is closest to their heart.
They set goals for themselves. They set sub-goals (stepping stones) for themselves. They are so disciplined as they follow their dreams every day. Their dream is to be the best they possibly can to bring home The Gold Medal and they know that if they deliver anything less then they simply won't cut it.
Take the swimming team as an example. Not many are blessed with the good fortunes of living in the Tropics thus making 5:00AM starts at the height of winter a major hurdle to overcome. It involves getting up in the dark. The mercury hovers around zero (32°F) which isn't overly inviting swimming weather. Still, they do it.
They do it because they know exactly what they want. Although they are competing against one another for a limited number of positions they support one another and draw strength from each other. They push themselves to the brim of their physical and mental capabilities to bring it to reality.
There is everything at stake here. The Gold Medal is given to one person or team. It's awarded to the one who has earned it. Invariably it is the one who asks more of themself and has the capacity to bring out their best on the days that count. This generally equates to being the best. It's winning of the highest degree. There is no second. Gold is the goal. Not many at the Olympics will get Gold as every event has only one on offer, and is therefore reserved for only a select few. Most will miss out. Still, it is the goal of them all.
Sure, after the Games are finished many will be very happy at their performance. Missing out on The Gold Medal won't constitute failure. Not at all. As long as their best foot was put forward and they performed at optimum level then there is nothing to be disappointed about.
No one ever says "I wouldn't mind the Gold Medal". No way that is far too wishy washy. It gets no results as dedication and intent is obviously lacking from the beginning. However something like "I want to win the Gold Medal more than anything else in the world and I will bring it home for me and my country" sings with direction, purpose and commitment. It is a goal. It is a prime example of the power of crystallized thinking. The task and challenge have been laid down. But a flimsy nothing like the first option won't bring anything home except disappointment due to a lack of association with the goal. There must be intent, desire and all important action to chase these goals down.
These athletes set their targets and goals out very early to allow them sufficient time to improve on their performance to become competitive at the level they aspire to. It is a long and hard journey for each and every one of them. But you ask anyone who triumphed with the Gold Medal as to whether all he/she endured to earn the medal was worth it or not. They may look at you as if you are stupid. They wave the Gold Medal in your face and advise "Of course it was. I have the ultimate result. I've won Gold at the Olympics". This is something that can never be taken away from them (cheating aside). This success remains with them always.
Like the athletes you have aspects of your life both business and personal that you are passionate about. Pretend that you are going for Gold. Outline your mission and your goals in your head - then write them down.
You need to evaluate the importance a Gold Medal holds for you in your chosen field. If it's not as high as it could be then try something else you really like. You need goals, passion, desire and action to transpose your dreams into reality. A Gold Medal really is the ultimate result. Go into training today.
About the Author
Written By: Darren Roberts Copyright © 2000, All Rights Reserved
Subscribe to Darren's popular "Success and Self-Motivation" Weekly publication, "AAvenues 2 Your Success" and receive the E-Book "How To Build A Healthy Attitude" absolutely free.
Click Here To Subscribe!
The above is an excerpt from Darren's new book called: "Making Your Success Inevitable" For more information on subscriber discounts and bonuses see details below
darren@topliving.com
http://www.topliving.com
Almost every Olympic Games is the biggest and best there has been. It's not just a place to compete at the highest level possible, it has also become a spectacle bringing out what the host nation can offer and show the world. It could be likened to an exposition of one country to the world. Amongst all the madness,hype, expectations, lead up and not to mention the longest Olympic Torch Relay ever undertaken, the bottom line comes back to the participants; the athletes. It is they who compete against one another to be the best they can be at their chosen sport.
It is these athletes in every sport who have the opportunity to compete amongst the world's best and to strut their stuff in front of a world audience spreading to some 200 or so countries. As far as intensity and tradition goes the Olympics are way up there.
Now, about these participants from all over the globe. Why are they there? If you were to ask any of them the most common answer they would give is to win gold for themselves and for their country. It brings out patriotism of the highest order. But above this it brings out superhuman performance above and beyond any other call that affects so many people. It is this astounding and outstanding level of performance that I want to talk about today.
For many just to perform at the Olympic Games is a huge honor and reward in itself but when they are in the team the goal changes. Well, maybe it doesn't change it simply expands. They want the Gold Medal. How important is a Gold Medallion? Most of the athletes have an avid, keen, non-blinkered interest in their chosen sport. It's something they love, appreciate, understand and respect. Their love for their chosen sport is obvious in the way they devote themselves almost daily in a ritual of practise & training. They understand the importance of their physical and mental condition. They must be in tip top condition the whole time to enable optimum performance. This is hard work but their passion, love and desire propels them forward as they pursue what is closest to their heart.
They set goals for themselves. They set sub-goals (stepping stones) for themselves. They are so disciplined as they follow their dreams every day. Their dream is to be the best they possibly can to bring home The Gold Medal and they know that if they deliver anything less then they simply won't cut it.
Take the swimming team as an example. Not many are blessed with the good fortunes of living in the Tropics thus making 5:00AM starts at the height of winter a major hurdle to overcome. It involves getting up in the dark. The mercury hovers around zero (32°F) which isn't overly inviting swimming weather. Still, they do it.
They do it because they know exactly what they want. Although they are competing against one another for a limited number of positions they support one another and draw strength from each other. They push themselves to the brim of their physical and mental capabilities to bring it to reality.
There is everything at stake here. The Gold Medal is given to one person or team. It's awarded to the one who has earned it. Invariably it is the one who asks more of themself and has the capacity to bring out their best on the days that count. This generally equates to being the best. It's winning of the highest degree. There is no second. Gold is the goal. Not many at the Olympics will get Gold as every event has only one on offer, and is therefore reserved for only a select few. Most will miss out. Still, it is the goal of them all.
Sure, after the Games are finished many will be very happy at their performance. Missing out on The Gold Medal won't constitute failure. Not at all. As long as their best foot was put forward and they performed at optimum level then there is nothing to be disappointed about.
No one ever says "I wouldn't mind the Gold Medal". No way that is far too wishy washy. It gets no results as dedication and intent is obviously lacking from the beginning. However something like "I want to win the Gold Medal more than anything else in the world and I will bring it home for me and my country" sings with direction, purpose and commitment. It is a goal. It is a prime example of the power of crystallized thinking. The task and challenge have been laid down. But a flimsy nothing like the first option won't bring anything home except disappointment due to a lack of association with the goal. There must be intent, desire and all important action to chase these goals down.
These athletes set their targets and goals out very early to allow them sufficient time to improve on their performance to become competitive at the level they aspire to. It is a long and hard journey for each and every one of them. But you ask anyone who triumphed with the Gold Medal as to whether all he/she endured to earn the medal was worth it or not. They may look at you as if you are stupid. They wave the Gold Medal in your face and advise "Of course it was. I have the ultimate result. I've won Gold at the Olympics". This is something that can never be taken away from them (cheating aside). This success remains with them always.
Like the athletes you have aspects of your life both business and personal that you are passionate about. Pretend that you are going for Gold. Outline your mission and your goals in your head - then write them down.
You need to evaluate the importance a Gold Medal holds for you in your chosen field. If it's not as high as it could be then try something else you really like. You need goals, passion, desire and action to transpose your dreams into reality. A Gold Medal really is the ultimate result. Go into training today.
About the Author
Written By: Darren Roberts Copyright © 2000, All Rights Reserved
Subscribe to Darren's popular "Success and Self-Motivation" Weekly publication, "AAvenues 2 Your Success" and receive the E-Book "How To Build A Healthy Attitude" absolutely free.
Click Here To Subscribe!
The above is an excerpt from Darren's new book called: "Making Your Success Inevitable" For more information on subscriber discounts and bonuses see details below
darren@topliving.com
http://www.topliving.com
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