No doubt if you’ve read any news medium in the past few days, the story of Michael Phelps‘ incredible gold medal run at the Olympics in Beijing. In the U.S. especially, his 8 gold medals is already becoming a legend. In reading about his extreme focus and physical determination I’ve come to the conclusion that I do not have what it takes to reach that level of athleticism. It is just not in me. So what, then, can we mere mortals learn from his – and every other Olympic athlete’s – experiences and successes?
Linda Robertson in an article for the Miami Herald provides great insight:
“Five years ago, when Phelps first plotted his record, it seemed like a presumptuous, wacky fantasy. He was like a baseball player declaring he would break Joe DiMaggio’s 56-game hitting streak. He was like an astronaut declaring he would step foot on Mars.
Once in a while we need someone who doesn’t ask why, but why not?”
Why not? I used to have a sign posted on the walls of my office that said “How can we?” Tired of negative, “we can’t” attitudes, I was trying to change the conversations.
At a recent meeting with one of my FABULOUS South African mentees, she mentioned something they wanted to do by then brushed it off as absurd. We can’t. I of course asked the question: why not? She thought about it for a minute. Yes, why not? We proceeded to work through the question and found at the end that it was, indeed something they could consider doing. We even mapped out a plan of how to do it.
So my challenge to you this week, this month, this year is to listen to yourself. If and when you find yourself saying “We can’t” change the dialog. Think in terms of “How can we?” and see what opportunities emerge.
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We can do every things if we will try for winning, If you accept like challenge then definitely you can do.
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Having an optimistic outlook on life is both healthy and positive. I am a great believer in self motivation and of course that comes from within. Having a “can do” attitude is not only less effort it is also more rewarding.
Julie @ Stewardess Costume´s last blog ..Disclaimer
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I agree, good post, thanks for sharing.
I agree.. Miami government always encourage the players ….
Thanks for sharing..
Miami Limo
It did take a lot of guts to do what he did in Beijing. An athlete of that level will spend years and years training for one shot to win a 1 week contest against other world athletes. It is too bad for all of the trouble that he has gotten in since then.
Absolutely! Why not? Optimism drives us and the world. So I accept your challenge and will ask myself “Why not”! Thanks for posting such an encouraging post.
Kari @ coarse fishing tackle´s last blog ..About Us
yes!! i love these kind of things. it is so lame to hand around saying about what you can’t do.. what great people do is they show the world what they can do..
cheers!!
jobs@jobbank´s last blog ..Watch Ridee tharaka ITN
Yes the point is just to be positive! Keep believing on what we can do and not what we cant do. Not just athletes can do it, even us too. Live on everybody!
I know these girls sure Can – The hottest winter Olympic Athletes