Have you watched the Olympics lately? With the summer 2020 games being held last June, and the winter games in Beijing just ending, the games have flooded headlines in the last year.
Almost every Olympic event absolutely astounds me. Each one is made to look effortless by the professionals competing but presents its own set of challenges bystanders could never comprehend.
All politics aside, I admire the athletes who train their entire lives to make it to the grand stage. It takes dedication, focus and sheer discipline to get to that level. The pressure they face knowing the sacrifice they have made to get a chance at gold and the fear that comes with knowing their dream could end with one wrong movement.
While the dedication to their sport is admirable, it feels comparable to farming. You’ve trained years to gain the knowledge it takes to manage. You’ve maintained focus on your goal on becoming a steward of the land. You’ve disciplined yourself to learn from others. All for the chance you get each year to turn a profit – because if you don’t, the dream could end in one wrong movement.
Farming may look easy to those watching, but only trained professionals know the challenges you face and the expertise it takes to overcome. You are the one who makes it look effortless.
Luck also comes into play on how successful you will be. You can train your whole life and be favored before the competition, but one bad draw or one day of terrible weather can impact your success. There isn’t a way to train yourself to deal with failure, and there is no sense in doing so. Train to win, but remember the competition itself is imperfect.
Like the Olympians, remember your worth is not measured by the medal (or lack thereof) around your neck. Continue to train and devote yourself, but know you are valued despite the outcome.
Pierre de Coubertin is credited as the main founder of the Olympic games in 1894. In his unveiling speech, he stated: “The most important thing in the Olympic games is not winning, but taking part; the essential thing in life is not conquering, but fighting well.”
So if you feel like preparing for this season is like staring down with wobbly legs at a ski ramp where you will be expected to make impossible rotations and still land gracefully (and safely) on two feet, or you feel steady and ready for your moment to shine, you will come out victorious in your quest as long as you fight well.
The growing degree days are near; set your goals and go for gold.
