I love the Olympics. It gives us a broad view of what it means to win.
During the games, we are reminded that the human spirit can surmount obstacles and emerge victoriously. So, as we watch the athletes, we see ourselves.
Winning is an art that is governed by principles, and like Olympians, you must apply them to help you win in the game of life. Here are four winning principles to equip you.
Consistency: Winning demands that you show up every day no matter what–rain, sunshine, hell, or high water, you are present for as long as it takes. Your chance of winning is slim if you lack this attitude. It is a quality decision that every athlete or winner makes – it is not negotiable. Generally, people give up easily on their commitment when things get tough, or they are not in the mood, but not winners; they always show up despite how they feel. It is not an emotional decision, but a deep commitment to their goal.
Discipline: It is not enough to show up consistently, but also, you must diligently do the work that is required. To be at the Olympics, there are activities that you must do daily in preparation. If you do not do these tasks, you might as well forget the games. Your goal requires that a set of tasks be completed. Are you ready to do these tasks? Winners commit to daily doing what must be done.
Sacrifice: What are you willing to give up to ensure that you win? In his book, The 15 Laws of Growth, the leadership guru, John C. Maxwell, wrote about The Law of Trade-Offs which stated that: “You have to give up to grow up.” In the winning process, sacrifice is inevitable. What are you willing to forgo to reach your goal? You may have to give up alcohol for a period to achieve your health goal or curtail your spending to attain your financial goal. Those who are unwilling to sacrifice rarely win.
Teamwork: You cannot win alone. You need other people’s help at different stages of the process. Every Olympian understands the need to work with a coach, teammates, and other stakeholders. In the winning process, the lone-ranger mentality will not take you far. Winners learn to work collaboratively with different people at different levels. Greatness requires teamwork–do not try to do it alone. You need people’s help to pull through. Every winner is someone who was helped.
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