I haven’t been upto writing anything for the longest while. I’ve wanted to in my mind. Even done drafts but I think I’ve been struggling with writer’s block and the uncertainty of whether i have what it takes to successfully write engaging pieces. Despite that fear, I’ve decided to try again. To get back to my writing goals isn’t easy for me but here I am.
The 2021 Olympics in Tokyo are about a week old now. The athletes and organizers defied the pandemic fear to have the sessions continue. It’s a positive direction to any who are seeing the need to continue despite the fears of living in a worldwide pandemic that continues to kill many.
Olympics and any major Sporting Events, has always had elite athletes performing in it. They train regularly, maintain a good balanced diet and have a good rest. There are sports personalities who have always stood out in their chosen professions. Not just for a season but they have been trailblazers. Even years later, their performance is documented and remembered. This can be attributed to their skills or even talents, outstanding performance or even persistence despite it all to succeed.
When I think of a few sports personalities who have made history: Oscar Pistorius comes to mind. He had speed running with blades that he acquired the name the blade runner. His success had many question whether to attribute it to his artificial legs. Still, it was undeniable that despite his lack of limps, his determination to succeed stood out.
Michael Jordan also comes to mind. He currently is successful in his business endeavors. His name though is synonymous with basketball. His style of play being unmatched. He broke records and set standards in basketball that others strove to follow. Nike as a company had success with Jordan as a player and the products they branded with him in mind.
Alot stands out when you look at him. It took alot to be ontop of his game. Training, sacrifice and the desire to continuously succed despite failures or even past successes. That he was talented in basketball is clearly evident. His dedication to the game had him practice for long hours and never miss out on it despite personal challenges. He continuously delivered beyond what was expected of him. I loved watching the NBA back when he was a player. It was an entertaining sport for me.
Usain Bolt. Is undoubtedly someone who is associated with speed. He is a sprinter who won the Olympics medals in 2008, 2012 and 2016. For both the 100m and 200m run. Even though he retired due to an injury, he was successful and unmatched at his love for the game. Bolt was social and you could see how easily he interracted with athletes and support staff at the games. His signature sign with his arms once he completed a win is also one that I can’t forget. There is a young Indian athlete whose speed has everyone’s attention in the current Olympics but it doesn’t diminish the success stories of Bolt.
Kipchoge Keino. He remind me of what people mean when they talk about family business. His father being a runner also who encouraged his son. He took up the sport. At one time the doctor having warned him not to participate due to abdominal pains. He defied and took on the challenge two lapse short of the finishing line, the pains became unbearable to continue. He won four Olympic gold medals.
Catherine Ndereba. Wikipedia says this about her: she is a Kenyan marathon runner. She has twice won the marathon at the World Championships in Athletics and won silver medals at the Summer Olympic Games in 2004 and 2008. She is also a four-time winner of the Boston Marathon. Ndereba broke the women’s marathon world record in 2001, running 2:18:47 at the Chicago Marathon.
Caster Semenya. 800m runner who won gold at the 2012 and 2016 Olympics. She has also won three world championships. Her success story is a case of fighting against all odds. Her career might be at standstill at the moment as she fights guildelines that were passed in 2018 by world athletics that affects eligibility required to participate as a female athlete for transgender individuals. Her goal still is and remains to compete until she is 40. That’s about 10 years from now.
These and other top sports personalities have many lessons that can be learned on:-
- Developing a schedule and sticking to it. This can either be waking up time, working out a business plan or even a career. It’s possible to be successful at it when the end goal is clear in mind.
- It takes beyond talents to succeed. Its important to practice and work at your goal. Be different in what you do. Strive to perform it well and better than your previous success. Keep at it.
- Success curve eventually ends. Before it does, you can have an exit plan to something that you can still enjoy working at.
- I keep learning that to be a successful writer, I need to read alot and write regularly. I am not yet where i want to be but I will keep working at it.
- When your career takes off invest in your future, in people and the environment around you. Have an impact that will last beyond the success you currently enjoy.
- You can’t succeed without overcoming all sorts of challenges. There are ongoing hurdles that one deals with. Overcoming some at the moment doesn’t mean that others wouldn’t crop up in future.
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