6 WAYS TO BE AN OLYMPIAN IN YOUR LIFE
Contributed by Wikipedia
With the Olympics ending in just a handful of days, I have slowly started to feel depressed with the amount of things I have not accomplished in my life (ehh might be exaggerating a tad). But still, don't you feel like your lack of motivation is holding you back or that you get that unaccomplished feeling because the only thing achieved was survival of the workday?
I mean don't get me wrong, surviving the day is probably the most exciting and satisfying feeling... until you realize that you have to repeat it all the tomorrow.
But how can we experience a fulfilling life like the Olympians?
These competitors live and breathe their sport. And that's not an understatement. They train and often have to sacrifice a lot in their lives in order to become the best of the best.
But who wouldn't, right? If I had the chance to represent the US and win a gold medal, I'd work my bum off. So what is their secret and how do they achieve their goals?
We don't have to be olympians to incorporate their habits into our lives, so here are 6 ways we can live our lives like olympians:
1. WRITE YOUR GOALS DOWN. Seriously. I know, I know we always have our goals in our minds, but it makes a difference when you put them on paper. Be realistic, but also push yourself. Reading your goals and visualizing yourself accomplishing them is the first step.
2. CREATE A PLAN. Dreaming is the easy part, but no olympian ever received a medal for just dreaming—they worked for it. Create a plan for your goals so that you're always progressing. Eventually those "little" steps will pave the way to your own gold medal in life.
3. TAKE CARE OF YOUR BODY AND YOUR MIND. Olympians understand that their relationship with their bodies and their minds have to be harmonious. They fuel themselves with proper nutrients, while also pushing themselves to extremes. Your body and your mind combined is your home and in order to achieve great things you must take care of yourself with nourishment and kindness.
4. TAKE CRITICISM AND FEEDBACK. Understand the difference between constructive and deconstructive criticism. I think so many people view criticism as a bad thing—like maybe "that" person is jealous or envious of you—but taking the feedback and processing what they have to say is the best thing you can do. You never know, maybe their view on something might open your mind to a new way of thinking or doing. As a dance teacher, my students know that if they aren't getting corrections and feedback from any teacher then they probably aren't doing their best in the class. We need to recognize that feedback and constructive criticism are not bad things—use it to your advantage and grow.
5. ACKNOWLEDGE AND LEARN FROM THOSE WHO ARE WISER. Sounds obvious, but there are so many people that question their bosses or parents, but the thing I find to be so refreshing is that the greatest olympians never question their coaches. They understand and recognize that their coaches know what is best for them and that in order to receive the best score and support, they must follow through with what theyhave been working on for most of their careers. Open your ears and minds to those who are giving you their wisdom—they are there to help you, not bring you down.
6. DRIVE, POISE, FOCUS. As I was watching the Olympics I was thinking 'what truly makes a champion?' There are a variety of hardworking athletes, but why are some great, while others are just good? I think the ones who truly envision themselves as a champion are the ones that go all the way—they drench themselves in all things olympics. The great olympians have drive, poise and focus. Their drive is simply invincible. The ones who want it bad enough, won't stop. Each champion has poise. They stand with confidence representing who they are and where they come from. And they all have focus, which is so important in life. It gives us awareness and purpose. Just like the winning olympians, our focus needs to be clear—don't lose sight until you achieve your goals.
Contributed by Wenner Media
These olympians have a passion and a dream, and are willing to chase after it to become the best version of themselves—no matter who they are or where they come from.
While some spectators may be watching strictly for the sport or the skill set of each olympian, I like to look at their eyes—you'll see their focus in the pupil; you'll see the blood, sweat and tears they experienced in order to follow a dream; and you'll see that anyone can do it—even you—as long as we grasp our drive and hold on for the ride.