As we watch the heroics of the 2022 Winter Olympic Games, each athlete boldly shows us how to get the most out of life. You don’t have to conquer the Giant Slalom to reach your full potential. Here are 7 Life Lessons that Olympians have mastered, and you can too!
Set Goals
Most Olympians decided early in life to pursue a very specific goal. This is a life skill that translates to all of us. Live with intention and set your action plans accordingly.
Prioritize Health
Athletes understand that peak physical condition is key to their success. Being in good health is the baseline for pursuing most of life’s goals. Energy, stamina, mental acuity… they all stem from being healthy and require regular maintenance.
Overcome Setbacks
Before the Opening Ceremonies one of the most experienced US Hockey stars, Brianna Decker, suffered a gruesome injury in a game against Finland, unnerving the players. The US team responded by stepping up and winning. But the team did not bring reserves to Beijing. How will they proceed?
American bobsledder, Elana Meyers Taylor, was elected to carry the US flag in the opening ceremony but tested positive for Covid-19. Not only did she miss a monumental life event, but she is also confined to a small space that doesn’t allow many training options as she hopes for a positive Covid test to compete. Will these circumstances change her performance? We all suffer setbacks in life. Cultivating the inner strength and determination to persevere is a 365 day effort.
Face Fears
Watching lugers fly at 90mph unprotected down a track gets the blood rushing. While the term “no risk, no reward” has a different meaning for all of us, pushing outside of our comfort zone is the way to stretch and grow.
Learn New Tricks
American snowboarder Shaun White, competing in his fifth Olympics, knows a thing or two about mastering new tricks in a half pipe. The cost for advancing his sport has been hospitalization and countless stiches. Not all trial and error is so physically demanding. Learning new tricks to handle different situations in life requires a desire for self-improvement and the willingness to risk failure.
Respect Teammates and Opponents
US Speed Skater Brittany Bowe won three 2022 Olympic trial events. Bowe relinquished her spot in the 500m to fellow skater Erin Jackson. Jackson, the world champ 500m skater, had slipped in the trials and finished third. This act of respect for a competitor and friend is a fine example of Olympic level sportsmanship. We have the ability to think of others and create level playing fields across all parts of life. Letting that parking space go to another, helping someone else get recognized, or a simple act of kindness will all make your life and the world a better place.
Self-Motivation
Olympians are by nature motivated individuals, but this is often put to the test. US ski racer and two-time Olympic gold medalist Mikaela Shiffrin’s motivation drastically changed in 2020 when her father suddenly died. She took time away from her sport to grieve his passing and then found new motivation to move forward. Now back at the 2022 Olympics and predicted to break records, Shiffrin says she skis best when she is focused. “It’s not really blocking out the noise as much as it is being able to see my path through it. I just want to take it step by step, day by day, and try to keep more of the grateful attitude that I feel.”
We all struggle with motivation at times. The trick is to refocus and get back on track. Holding ourselves accountable and moving forward one day at a time with an attitude of gratitude is an excellent place to start!
Not only are the Olympic Games an exciting sporting event, but they are also an opportunity for inspiration. Olympic life lessons are the ultimate example of setting and achieving goals. One way to focus like an Olympian is to work with a life coach. Having a coach in your corner can help turn dreams into goals with action plans. Regular support provides you with new tricks to overcome setbacks and converts pressure into finding joy in what you love.
Where in your life could you use more focus? Who inspires you?