How to take Olympic inspiration and use it for motivation in your life



Every four years, we see the Olympics showcase some of the greatest sports and athletes in the world. Whilst you sit on the sofa watching the action, the Olympics is a prime opportunity to reboot your motivation and update what goals you want in life. It’s important to remember that these athletes have been preparing for these competitions for years and even decades. You might not be destined for the Olympics, but that doesn’t mean you can’t apply the same effort and dedication to your own life and work. Understanding that it takes time to achieve greatness will allow you to plot out long term goals and the short term stepping stones it will take to get you there. Here are some tips to help you find that motivation:

The human body is capable of much more than you think

The Olympics is full of outlandish flexibility, impressive endurance, and incredibly strong athletes. Don’t be discouraged by the elite level of athleticism you see on the TV. Rather, recognise it as a display of what all kinds of body shapes and sizes can do, and that yours is just as capable of reaching the same goals. The Olympics is full of teams and athletes who beat the odds to win and smash personal-best times, so use this to inspire you when you’re at the gym, in the office or at home.

Individual fitness may be important, but teamwork is most valuable

The Olympics teach us that teamwork is just as significant as the individual athletes themselves. Using the Women’s British Hockey team as an example, they have reached their first ever Olympic final at Rio 2016. Each individual brings forward different skills to the team, whether it be strength, speed or stamina, and they wouldn’t have reached it if they didn’t work together as a team. Whether it’s your work team, your family, a circle of friends or a sport’s team, keep in mind how being a team is always stronger than each individual.

Your connections are important

When focusing on your own performance, remember that no Olympian is an island. Even in individual sports, there’s always a coach standing on the sidelines, family cheering in the crowd and friends who support you from home. Gaining advice from those who have been in your shoes before and identifying your role models can further your connections, giving you guidance towards your goals. Take and appreciate the support offered by those who care about you and your dream, and don’t forget to thank them from the podium when you get there!

We all have competition

We all have competitors in life. They might be the other candidate at a job interview or even a close friend who you share career or life aspirations with. Rather than spending energy and time focusing on what they are doing, place your focus on the successes in your own journey, and use competition to drive you forwards.

Minus the occasional disagreement, the Olympics displays a great deal of sportsmanship and respect. Imagine how much better you’d feel congratulating a competitor and acknowledging a well-played game, rather than becoming hateful and jealous towards them.

Even when it’s over, it’s not really over

If you want them to be, the Olympics is an opportunity for much more than sideline spectating. Take the inspiration you feel when watching along with the rest of the world, and use them to fuel your drive towards your own goals. And, if nothing else, appreciate the fact that if you fall or fail, you’ve probably not done it in front of millions of people, and there’s always the chance to get back up and have another go.

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