The U.S. and China – two of the world’s leading economic powers – are also leading in the medals count at the Olympics in London. From team wins like the Fab Five in gymnastics, to Michael Phelps eking out another individual gold, and heading further into uncharted waters of Olympic glory.
So, what do the Olympics teach us about personal achievement? It’s a great venue to compare us mere mortals to while watching these ultra-fit athletic heroes. Here are a few lessons…
Play to your unique strengths – Rebecca Soni has just won back-to-back golds in the 200m breaststroke. She has stated that her success is tied to the ability to swim her own style, which in many ways is not the traditional way. Her cadence is fast, the style is unique, and it would be nearly impossible to copy. She’s been quoted as saying that her focus is on smoothness and rhythm and not strength of the swim. Some coaches would have tried to change this to fit the mold of past swimmers’ style. Soni went her own way and played to her personal strengths. This can be a great lesson for anyone in their daily work. Companies often get hung up on what the industry or a specific company has defined as “the way it’s done”. Sometimes you just need to be smoother and have better rhythm to win gold.
It takes many to put one on the podium – From the coaches who commit to daily routines with the athletes to the parents who may say goodbye to their child at a young age (along with all their retirement savings) to achieve greatness, there are many people behind the athletes. In daily work, there are often times one employee gets the glory in a company for an achievement. Nearly always there’s a team of people behind that person working to make that success happen.
Recognition is a powerful experience – Each of the athletes at the Olympics has worked harder than many of us can even imagine accomplishing these great feats. So what do they get for their success? Well, in financial terms they get $25,000 for a gold medal, $15,000 for a silver and $10,000 for a bronze, from the US Olympic committee. Not very much when you consider all the years and great expense it takes to get there. So why do it? I would argue that it’s the intangibles that drive our Olympians to achieve great things. That achievement is represented by the medal itself. I don’t think those athletes get emotional on the podium because of the check they are expecting to receive after the closing ceremony. Recognition of accomplishment and connection to something bigger is a powerful thing.
Just like many people around the world I’m watching the Olympic events when I can during these hot summer days. It’s a great excuse to stay in the coolness of my air-conditioned house. It’s top-notch entertainment, and an opportunity to appreciate everything it means to live in a great country, and there are a few lessons to also be learned.