The 2012 Olympic Games are in full swing and what an awesome spectacle it is turning out to be. It is just amazing to see the competitors showcase their brilliance and put all of their effort into the events that we see. The excitement of the events, the fantastic venues that have been created for sports people from all over the world to partake……and yesterday, 4 August 2012, turning out to be the best medal day for Britain since 1908 with 6 gold medals. Just brilliant!
Looking at the TV coverage it is so easy to forget all of the training and sacrifices that are required to even get to the games. The extra special ingredient to achieve at the top level is even harder. As one past Olympian, Mary Peters, who won gold in the pentathlon at Munich back in 1972 said, it is easy to forget all of the training that goes on day in day out in preparation, come rain or shine, in the years before. All of this preparation focusing like a laser beam, illuminating the part that we witness only on the day, only in the Olympic venue.
As I went to bed, feeling very proud to be British, I read a chapter in an old book that I managed to locate a few months ago. It was talking about the times that people stumble and fail in their business and in other parts of their life – it then went on to comment on the strength of human character to get up after the fall and still press on. As Winston Churchill said “You only fail when you fail to get up.”
This so resonated with me as every single one of the people who won Gold medals yesterday had a major setback in the past. Being not fit enough and missing the Beijing Olympics 4 years ago and watching from their sofa. Failing last year at another major sporting event. Illness that could have dashed their hopes of ever competing again.
ALL of these challenges had been put behind them in their dive, in their desire, in their determination to compete and win. They kept their focus, put the effort in and even in the lows managed to get up and press on. Yes, I am sure there were people around them who had helped, who never lost their faith in them, who would get up and do whatever it took to help. Who had pride in them too.
On the radio this morning I was listening to Duncan Goodhew, who won a swimming Gold at Moscow in 1980 Olympics. He was saying that he is still often asked how many medals he has won, he says ‘lots’ but not many are Gold. A comment he went on to say stopped me in my tracks:
“Through all that losing you learn how to win.”
Now that put a lump in my throat, as a former competitive athlete myself, that resonated with me. As a person who strives for excellence in business that still resonates with me.
So while we bask in the success of current and past Olympians perhaps there are some massive learning points for us all. A good place to start is to ask a few questions of ourselves:
- Have you got a goal that you are focussed on, that means something of significance for you, that come rain or shine you will work to achieve?
- When you have not achieved the success you are after, have you learnt some lessons then refocused and carried on? In spite of everything had the determination to pay the price, put the effort in.
- Are the people around offering their support and utter faith ….in you?
- Have you made sure that you have all of the support you need for success?
- In those dark moments do you dig deep and keep going?
Now that has got me thinking….and pleasingly wanting to take action.
I hope it has got you thinking too…..and also wanting to take action as well.
It may not end up with a Olympic Gold Medal but if it means something to you isn’t that prize enough!
My best wishes,
Peter
