Baby Steps

Gold Medals, no medals, triumphs, and disasters, the Olympics are always full of entertainment and inspiration.  Growing up, my mother was an Olympic junkie, a gene that definitely transferred to me.  As the games begin to slide into their second half, I always feel a bit depressed when they come to an end.  Why?  Not only because my favorite athletic event is no longer available, but also because I love watching the athletes chase their dreams.  I love seeing the culmination of all their hard work put on stage for the world, and if it doesn’t go the way they hoped, their determination to finish the race or get back up again has always amazed me.  But my absolute favorite part about the games, is realizing that all of those athletes were once beginners.

I’m going to go ahead and make the assumption that not one of those athletes stepped onto the ice, slope, etc and was perfect right away.  Gracie Gold didn’t land her triple lutz-triple toe on her first try, and I’m guessing Shaun White didn’t start shredding the half-pipe right away either.  No, they had to start small and work hard for it.  I once heard a quote that went along the lines of, “Even if it a little step, make sure you take it.”  As you watch the end of these Olympics and feel yourself become inspired and motivated, take a hint from the athletes you are watching.  You can become great and conquer your dreams, but you’re going to have to start with baby steps.  Maybe that’s signing up for voice lessons, or going to that club meeting you’ve always been too afraid to join.  Yes, pushing yourself out of your comfort zone is scary, but that vulnerability is what leads to greatness.  And as you pursue your dreams, do not be discouraged by failure.  Nothing is ever perfect on the first try.  Stand back up, try again, and let your failure motivate you to be better the next time.  Whatever you do, don’t let yourself get stuck on that first step. 

Whether its fear, insecurity, or maybe just lack of time, be strong enough to put all those worries aside.  Because no one ever conquered their dreams with their everyday routine, and no one was ever “great” on their first attempt.  You have the ability to own the world stage like an Olympian, you just have to find the courage to believe in yourself and do it.

***Article used for correct ice-skating terms - http://www.boston2014.com/featured-skater-gracie-gold/

***This article was also printed in The Odyssey - the Greek newspaper.  If you want to read more articles by myself and other Odyssey writers, head on over to http://theodysseyonline.com/