Olympians are some of the most inspiring people on the planet. They put thousands of hours of work in to achieve their ultimate dream of winning a gold medal.
Some also have to overcome incredible obstacles, such as injuries, family issues, and financial struggles to get where they are. While many of us will never understand what it takes to become an Olympian, we can translate their inspiration into our own lives.
Whether you want to become a doctor, are looking to find your passion, or need a little bit of courage, these inspiring quotes will help you on your way.
Make Every Day Count
Rome wasn’t built in a day, right? We’ve all heard this expression before, and it may sound like a cliche, but it’s the truth. As Mia Hamm said in the quote above, what you do every single day ultimately affects your end result.
You can’t expect to be a gold medalist in one day, just like you can’t expect to be the CEO of a major company in one year! It requires putting in time and effort day after day after day. Then, when the moment is just right, you strike.
Focus on the Experience, Not the Outcome
Whenever I watch the Olympics I always feel a tinge of sadness for the athletes who finish in fourth place. In fact, I feel worse for the athletes who finish in fourth than the ones who finish in last. They’ve worked their entire lives and miss out on getting a medal by inches or milliseconds. It’s brutal.
But, the reality is, it’s not always about the end result. It’s about pushing yourself to your limit and achieving something you never thought you could achieve.
There will always be people in life who are better than you at something. There will always be people who finish ahead of you. It’s just the way the world works. But, as long as you continue to try and put your best foot forward, you’ll be a winner no matter what.
Find What You Love
Most of us are not going to be the next Michael Phelps, Simone Biles, or Usain Bolt. We’re not going to dedicate thousands of hours of our lives to one sport, but there is a solid chance we’ll devote thousands of hours of our lives to something.
Like Olympic gold medalist Mary Lou Retton said, we all have something that we’re passionate about. We may not know what it is just yet, but it’s there. And when you find it, you must do everything in your power to pursue it head-on.
Your Passion Is Your Purpose
Don’t waste your life doing something you don’t enjoy. It’s truly as simple as that. The reason Olympians are so good at what they do is because they love what they do.
You don’t get to the top of the podium if you don’t really enjoy what you do every single day. Find what you’re passionate about and pursue it headfirst. Your passion will make you successful.
No Risk, No Reward
You can certainly live your life in a bubble, but I wouldn’t recommend it. Sure, it’s safe and you won’t experience pain, but you also won’t experience any of the beautiful highs of life. We only have one life to live, so why not do everything in your power to make it incredible?!
Yes, Olympians are fearless, but it’s not because they don’t get scared. In fact, they’re where they are today because they pursued their dreams in spite of being afraid. Take a risk and see what happens. Yes, you may fail. But you also may succeed.
