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I just finished watching the final Olympic Hockey game between Team USA and Team Canada. It is so hard to see the US players look so disappointed when they performed so well.
I have been thinking a lot over the last two weeks about what it means to be an Olympic Athlete. What does it take to become good enough to compete in the Olympics? For most it means that from a very young age you pursue your sport with such dedication that you give up the distractions that most kids enjoy. I can’t decide if I think that is a good thing or a bad thing.
On one hand I think it is great that they have found that one thing that they can do very well, that they love enough to dedicate four years practicing countless hours every day to become the best that they can be. After all, isn’t that exactly what we are trying to do with blogging? Finding that one thing that we do very well, that we love enough to sacrifice doing what most people do until we reach a certain level of success.
I think it is great that these young athletes are supported to follow their passions and their dreams. I am impressed by the mindset they must have developed to compete at such a high level and to handle the pressure of the entire world watching.
On the other hand, I worry about what happens when their Olympic career is over. Most of these athletes retire from their sports at what most of us consider to be a very young age. So here you have young people, with most of their lives left, who find themselves in the position where they can no longer do that one thing that they love. The one thing that they have focused nearly every waking moment on for probably as long as they can remember. Will they ever be able to find something else that they enjoy as much?
So I am not sure if I would want my son to be an Olympic Athlete. I can remember my parents telling me in school that I should join as many different clubs/sports as possible. That I wanted to be WELL ROUNDED. I can see the benefit of being well rounded. In being well rounded though, are we preventing ourselves from discovering our true passion? Should we not pursue that one thing whole-heartedly to avoid having a hard time adjusting to life when that thing is gone?
This is probably one of those times that my parents have unintentionally passed on a limiting belief.
It makes me grateful that we are not in an Industry where there is only one winner. You don’t have to come in first to feel successful and hold your head up high. You also don’t have to start at a young age. Anyone can start at any stage in their life and still reach any goal they set. Which also means that there is no time limit on how long you can continue to enjoy doing what you love.
There is a lot that we can learn from the tenacity, determination, and focus of the Olympic Athletes, but I know that I would not want to trade places with them. I am completely happy exactly where I am, with my family every day!
I would love to hear your thoughts on the Olympics! What did you take away from the last two weeks?
Jodi Lee (10)
Kellie Hosaka (9)
Venus :) (8)
Yannick van den Bos (8)
Val Wilcox (7)
Kara Grabenhorst (6)
Jean (5)
Kimberly Castleberry (5)
Nick Logan (5)
Sandy & Al Ab... (5)
I love your perspective on the Olympics, especially as a mother yourself. It is interesting for athletics because in many sports you can only do it as a career for so long due to the physical demands on the body. So, it’s true, then what do they do… The lessons of focus, determination, persistence, visualization, goals, etc are truly admirable, however, I do agree with your concern and wonder.
I have to admit, I didn’t watch the Olympics at all as I have been “obsessed” about learning all of this new technology. I do appreciate all of your insight and I admire the commitment and dedication of all of the athletes!
Thank you for sharing. :0)
Kellie Hosaka´s last blog ..MY PRIVATE AND VERY PERSONAL ADDICTION TO FOOD
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melissa Reply:
March 5th, 2010 at 3:35 pm
Hey Kellie! Thanks for the great comment. I didn’t watch as much of the Olympics as I typically would either. I can completely relate to being “obsessed” with all of this Social Media stuff. I admire all of the focus, determination, and persistence that you put in to everything you do!
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Melissa, I haven’t been in tune with the olympics so it is refreshing you shared this. Thank you, Venus
´s last blog ..Do You Really Need It? 
Venus
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melissa Reply:
March 5th, 2010 at 3:35 pm
Thanks Venus!
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Mellisa, This is a thought provoking article. I agree with your insights, and I think we can all learn from many of the Olympic stories. I don’t agree that most or many of the athletes are not “well rounded.” For example, the 17year old American figure skater seems to be involved in a variety of activities. I also think of Debbie Thomas, who was an champion figure skater ab out three winter olympcis back She was going to Stanford while she was skating and is now a well recognized surgeon.
Al and Sandy Abrams
Sandy & Al Abrams´s last blog ..Soy Safety and Quality Control Checklist
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melissa Reply:
March 5th, 2010 at 3:38 pm
Thanks for the comment Sandy. I am glad to hear that there are some Olympic Athletes who are striving to lead more balanced lives. Those individuals are definitely setting themselves up for success.
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Melissa, oh my heart is still beating fast when I think back on the iceskating moment of Sven Kramer (the Dutch iceskater), what I have learned from that is that life really can be a challenge and that you have to keep your head up at all moments!
Great post!
Yannick van den Bos´s last blog ..5 Steps To Success: Have fun! (Step 1)
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melissa Reply:
March 5th, 2010 at 3:39 pm
Hey Yannick! I didn’t see any of Sven Kramer’s story or any of the ice skating events. How did Sven do?
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Melissa,
Athletes definitely know how to visualize to achieve their desired results. Alot can be learned from that.
Wonderful post! Thanks,
Val
Val Wilcox´s last blog ..Meet Malin Berdette, World Traveler Extraordinaire
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melissa Reply:
March 5th, 2010 at 3:41 pm
Thanks Val! I can’t help but be inspired by the athletes.
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Hi Melissa,
Hmmm….seems like we had some similar thoughts about the Olympics and doing a blog post. I also watched that incredible game of hockey. In my post I share about a lesson I was reminded of as I watched the medal ceremony. Stop by and see it.
As for your post, I see a lot of similarity between the athletes and us regular Joe’s. To get to the top it takes determination, practice, tenacity, and a never give up mindset just to name a few. If we practice being the best at our trade, our passion for our business we will reach the top of where we are stretching for. It doesn’t come easy. It requires sacrifice and long hours of hard work. As I see it, we’re very similar to the athletes. It’s all a matter of the choices we make. For them their passion was their sport. For the rest of us it’s what fires our passion to go out and do something great.
Thanks for sharing your thoughts.
Don Enck´s last blog ..Celebrate Your Victories…Even If They’re Silver
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melissa Reply:
March 5th, 2010 at 3:44 pm
Thanks Don for the great comment. I think you have touched on what I like most about the Olympics. It is really impressive to see the people who have put in the time, work, and dedication to become the best that they can be. Most of us will never be athletes at that level, but that doesn’t mean we can’t put that same level of effort into our own talents and become the best that we can be. You never know what kind of impact we can all have on the world if we do.
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Social comments and analytics for this post…
This post was mentioned on Twitter by kelliehosaka: RT @melissawright2 What does it take to be in the Olympics? | melissawrightjourney.com http://is.gd/9pMPc…
Hi Melissa,
Thank you for sharing your insight to the olympics. I do appreciate the angle you see the olympics and what that represents…the wonder? You got me wondering too, what DO they do when they’re done? What I can learn from the olympians is what does it take between winning the gold or the silver? How can I apply the slight one degree of being on track or off? And how can I obtain that razors edge of really mastering my niche? I love your post. It stirred up questions to ask myself within.
Thank you Melissa
Shannon Tecson
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melissa Reply:
March 5th, 2010 at 3:48 pm
Thank you so much Shannon! I love your perspective as well. That is a great point that you bring up. There are probably small steps that you can take everyday that will mean the difference between gold and silver. It may mean putting in a little more time of practice, or it may mean working on you mindset and attitude. Thanks for giving me something else to think about.
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Shannon Tecson Reply:
March 5th, 2010 at 7:42 pm
Yes, I firmly believe, it’s getting just a little bit better everyday in my personal philosophy. Thank you too for your insight
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Melissa,
It is a tough question, one that I too, as a mother, ask myself regularly. Is it better to be a generalist or a specialist? I posted a video, on my blog, about animal school that addresses some of the drawbacks to forcing people to be wellrounded, but I don’t think you are suggesting force, and I wouldn’t suggest that either. I think the key thing is to support the individual in their passions and pursuits. Some people, like Olympic athletes, can be seen as specialists, driven to excel in their chosen sport and many are good only at one. Then there are generalists in Olympics, like Winnipeg’s very own Clara Hughes, who won gold medals in both summer and winter games. And while she may seem to be a sports generalist, she’s still a special level of athlete.
And then there are others of us who want to do a bit of this and a bit of that. And that’s to be encouraged as well.
For me, there is no cookie cutter answer. If someone wants to put their everything into one thing,and that is what makes their life worth living, I stand behind that just as much as I stand behind the one who wants to diversify. Forcing both of those people to do the opposite of what makes them tick would make them very unhappy. And why would we want that?
Jodi Lee´s last blog ..Take back your life
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melissa Reply:
March 5th, 2010 at 3:55 pm
Hey Jodi! Thanks for weighing in from the Happiness perspective! I think you are right. There is no cookie cutter answer and everyone should be allowed to pursue what they feel is right for them. I think as parents we just need to give our kids the opportunity to explore a variety of different things and then follow their lead on what they enjoy.
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Hi Melissa,
Great topic to throw out to your readers. It certainly has been the focus of many people the last few weeks. And you, and your readers address many interesting facets of this subject.
I’m worried though! I think I may get myself in trouble here — and believe me, it’s not my intention. Here’s why. . .
Most posts are very positive about the Olympics and what a young person gives up in dedicating their lives to a sport. And it is never four years of dedication. It is a typically a decade or two (from childhood on), depending on the sport and how long one competes.
Many readers also commented on the issue of “balance” — we hear so often about, and struggle to create and maintain — in our own lives.
Yes, ALL athletes who participate are winners, and deserve to be acknowledged for what they have given up, mastered and personally accomplished.
Yet, I can’t help but wonder about those parents in Canada who have watched their government spend countless $Billions CD to host the games, yet are struggling to feed their families and a roof over their heads.
Same thing for parents the world over who have been so dramatically impacted by the last three years of financial turmoil.
And if you’ve been following the Olympics for as many decades as I have, you’ve seen the price tag to put these events on become astronomical!
Yes, seemingly great things come out of the Olympics, but of what lasting value are they? And what do they really prove about the world’s countries, governments and citizens?
Personally, I can’t but help think how much better we’d all be if the money spent before, during and after Olympics (training, lobbying to host, etc.) were devoted to improving the lives of countless billions around the world who struggle just to live from one day to the next.
This to me is where our balance needs to be — not putting SO much focus on our own individual glory (or that of our athletes, countries or citizens) — but in eliminating the HUGE disparities that exist in this world, that prevent such a large segment of our fellow humans from even contemplating what it must be like to have an opportunity and the resources (personal and/or corporate and/or government) to devote oneself to a sport.
I could go on, but won’t.
So, what we do here in the world of the Internet, can and certainly does, change the lives of those who choose to participate, who decide to acquire the knowledge necessary to be successful in this new and ever changing enterprise.
It is my hope that each of us can take some of what we gain from our online businesses and contribute to helping others who need our helping hand.
Joe
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