This year's 2002 Winter Olympics offered an incredible variety of triumph and failure. I so enjoyed the success of 16 year old Sara Hughes for the reason she succeeded in the figure skating contest. Many of us watched Michelle Kwan skate, and as skilled, trained, and prepared as she was, she simply forgot to go out there and have fun. It seemed the Russian competitor also forgot to have fun. Technically correct, poised, proud, and nervous they both lost to little Sara Hughes. Why? Sara, realizing she was up against some very tough competition, simply decided to relax and go out there fully enjoying her opportunity to compete. Her skating for the “fun of it” paid off in Gold!
Put another way, Going for the Gold is enjoying the process along the way. Whenever I am faced with some stiff or difficult challenges in life I have decided to remind myself of Sara Hughes and to just let go and have fun. I let myself enjoy the challenge and rely on my training, skills and confidence to help me to win.
Keep in mind, there is nothing extra special about me or Sara Hughes. We are all capable of winning, if only we are willing to let go! Actually that is the beauty of it. Adopt this principle and adapt it to your roles and responsibilities, and apply it on a consistent basis until it becomes natural and a healthy habit has emerged. Go for the Gold and you will indeed be a winner, just like Sara Hughes, accomplishing even greater things than you thought possible-and what FUN you will have along the way!
