How the Olympic Games can Motivate you

Regardless of how you feel about the Olympics, there is no denying that watching feats of strength and countries coming together brings out the best in people. Even if you’re not an avid fan, the personal interest stories are pretty inspiring. If you need a boost, watching others achieve their dreams can push you to try harder. Since I’m a huge Olympics fan, every two years I feel an extra dose of inspiration in the form of 16 days of competition. If possible, I’d like to bottle that feeling so that I’m inspired each day of my life. So in this blog, I will share some things I’ve learned from watching the games.

1. Tough times don’t last, but tough people do. This quote is attributed to actor Gregory Peck and it speaks volumes, in my opinion. I love hearing stories of Olympic athletes who have been through personal hardships but had an Olympic-sized goal and stuck with it. Quitting is easy for many people. If money is tight, your career is bleak, or your personal relationships are strained, remember what you are made of inside. Look to that in times of crisis.

2. Hard work is what separates you from the pack. I have learned from my parents that there’s no substitute for hard work, but it’s reiterated every time I watch an Olympic athlete compete. When I look at the competitions, I’m amazed by how talented these athletes are. Then I realize that they have worked very hard, through training and self-discipline, to compete at that level. Maybe some people are born naturally talented at something, but for most of us we need to work hard to achieve our goals. When you feel like giving up, remember that your hard work will separate you from others who perform the same tasks as you.

3. Always have a goal in mind. In interviews, I’ve heard many Olympians say that they always knew they wanted to be an Olympic athlete. While your goals may not be as lofty, it’s important to have a focus, even if you’re confused about your career. If you are working toward something, you will get there.

If you need some more inspiration, this is a great article.