It’s a safe bet that just about all of you reading this have been invested in watching the Olympic Games in Sochi to some extent. I, for one, am now in my second week of less sleep than I desire and each night say … “I’m not doing this tomorrow”. And then tomorrow comes …
I know that one aspect that gets me hooked is the fascination with trying to imagine what getting into the games has really meant for all of those we watch? How have some maintained this focus for the time required to have these games be their 1st or their 6th time as an Olympian? And finally, how can they speak enthusiastically and openly about building on this experience and returning to the 2018 Olympics in South Korea? 
Are they serious? They have nothing better to do? Come on!
I try to imagine what each participant has had to do that enables them to dare to dream of being an Olympian. It has to be driven by a true passion and belief in what’s possible for them … and this is a needed, and only, first step. What they have obviously done next is create the plan that will assure them of achieving that dream as participant and yes, a medal winner. Finally, they tirelessly execute their plan and seek and accept the help from others capable of guiding them on their chosen path. As I write this, it sounds pretty straight forward and simple approach. Note I didn’t say easy.
This all makes me really ponder what viewing one’s job in an organization would accomplish if we were to approach it to parallel the trek of the accomplished athlete we are watching daily right now? After all, we are hired to do a certain job and hopefully one that allows us to successfully climb the ladder to achieve the medal we seek. Maybe it looks like this:
- The VISION: We establish a well defined goal of where we want to go that will spell ‘success’ and give us a chance to medal.
- The PLAN: What is it that we need … the learning, training and the actions that are required for us to achieve that goal?
- The HELP: to strengthen the skills needed and to learn to recognize the things that can interrupt our climb and thus, be obstacles to staying the course of that plan as we learn how to get control of them.
Just three steps that mirror those taken by the Olympian and we, too, can achieve our medal. During a post victory interview following the Snowboard Cross competition in Sochi, bronze medalist Alex Diebold (USA) was asked for how it felt. He replied … “It paid off. All the hard work, all the sacrifices I’ve made. It has been such a long, hard road and it was absolutely worth it … every one of them.”
And there we have it. Simple isn’t it? Just dream, plan and execute … using whatever help you know you need to stay your course. Keep our eyes on the ultimate win and the medal can be ours! Are you up for it? It’s all in your committing to the overall plan. I’m headed for the podium. Want to join me?
Mike Dorman
