Being Olympians in Your Own Life by Dr. Damian Goldvarg
Doesn’t it seem like the 32nd Summer Olympics has been running in the background of our lives lately? Through news, social networks, and exchanges with others at home and at work, we are constantly updated on how professional athletes are performing and the impact of COVID-19 on the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020.
Over the last few weeks, as I have been watching some of the sports from the elliptical at my gym, I have really grown to admire the athletes participating in these games. For me, these athletes symbolize the acme of excellence. After all, they have spent years honing their skills just to showcase their talent on a world stage for merely a few minutes. Yes, they have big goals—but they also have a firm commitment, strict discipline, and a sheer determination to give it their all in order to realize those goals.
This has left me wondering how “being an Olympian” applies to our lives.
It goes without saying that we can all benefit from an athlete’s approach. We can benefit from having defined objectives—even if they are intimidating and push us to go beyond what we think is possible. I’m talking about objectives that inspire us to put in the extra effort and objectives meaningful enough to warrant that extra effort.
Consider a personal objective you want to achieve—is it difficult but doable? Having such a goal in mind is a great place to start, but it should also be meaningful enough to inspire you to achieve self-discipline and take the extra steps required.
When I think of discipline, I think of doing things we don’t want to do but have to do nonetheless. Say you want to be more fit. For that, you may need to start doing some activities that you are not already doing or thinking of doing anytime soon—for example, cutting back on your favorite snacks and hitting the gym every day.
Working as a leadership development consultant, trainer, and executive coach for the last thirty years, a lack of motivation is something I see with my clients and sometimes in my own life. We need a strong reason to act on our goals—surviving alone may not be enough.
Now, where do athletes fit into all of this?
Athletes demonstrate the importance of having a dream, committing to it, staying focused, and working hard. They also remind us that they have a support system—coaches, family members, and those who offer emotional fuel—to thank for their accomplishments. How is your support system helping you achieve your objectives?
Then there are the obstacles in the way. Olympic athletes this year are facing a variety of challenges—not the least of which is COVID-19. Learning how to overcome these challenges is something as crucial as commitment and discipline.
What I’m getting at is that identifying our own obstacles is an excellent starting point when thinking about how to become Olympians in our own Olympic Games.
If you want to learn more about how to be an Olympian in your own life and perform at your best, contact Goldvarg Consulting Group today. To speak with one of our representatives, please call us at +1 310 836-7618 or contact us online.
