More Lessons From The Olympics

Judith Ashley is the author of The Sacred Women’s Circle series, romantic fiction that honors spiritual traditions that nurture the soul.

Another lesson from the Olympics that applies to being an author.

It doesn’t matter what other people think about your performance. If you are doing your best that’s “good enough.”

Who won the Gold? As the surprise winner of the women’s Giant Slalom said (and I paraphrase) “The others had so much pressure to win. I could just ski.”

I can’t imagine having a microphone constantly stuck in my face before and after a competition. Some of the athletes are still regaining their normal breathing and are gasping for air. And how does the reporter, no matter how nice she is or how well-formed the question, think the person feels when they don’t medal. Loved Lindsey Vonn’s answer. “I tried.”

That’s another lesson.

We try.

We show up.

We do our best.

As we write, our “best” shifts and changes. 

Best Selling Author, Malcolm Gladwell and Earl Nightingale, of Nightingale-Conant, pioneers in audio Motivational Programs, give stats on what it takes to become an expert/master at what you are doing.

Malcolm’s number is a bit foggy in my mind. What I remember is, when I translated it into writing, I needed to write at least a million words to gain any level of expertise.

Earl Nightingale’s message is “spend an hour a day learning/studying your business and within 5 years you’ll be an internationally recognized expert”.

Therefore, because we show up, we increase our skill level.

And when we show up we are demonstrating a critical element in any success. Commitment. I'll share more about Commitment next Monday. I hope you'll share your thoughts about the lessons you've learned from life experiences.

Learn more about Judith's The Sacred Women’s Circle series at JudithAshleyRomance.com

Follow Judith on Twitter: JudithAshley19

Check out Judith’s Windtree Press author page.

You can also find Judith on FB! 

© 2018 Judith Ashley

Lessons From The Olympics

Judith Ashley is the author of The Sacred Women’s Circle series, romantic fiction that honors spiritual traditions that nurture the soul.

The opening ceremony was Magical! Amazing! One part had 1200 drones flying in formations! And then there was the drumming, dancing, music and the use of lasers or whatever it was that made fantastical shapes. I started “watching” playing Mahjong on my tablet but soon had it put aside to really watch.

Another highlight for me was watching both North and South Korea athletes walk in together under one flag. I was struck with the core values of The Olympics being played out before me.

Seeing the athletes compete at that level and at the end congratulate each other. Seeing the excitement of just being there, of doing their best, of representing their country. Seeing the athletes interacting with others who have the same passion and commitment for the sport as they do.

I found myself looking forward to the hours I spent watching the popular (ice skating, half-pipe, hockey and the less popular sports like the biathlon, speed skating, short track. And then there was the emerging interest in curling!

While I enjoyed and at times marveled at the performances of the athletes, I also paid attention to what I could learn from people who’d dedicated so much to reaching this level of accomplishment.

Here are some of the lessons I learned from The Olympics:

Set your goal.

Believe you can achieve it.

Do the work.

Have fun doing it!!! So many of the athletes talked about the joy of participating in The Olympics and in their sport.

I see that joy every day in my chapter’s on-line forum, #ftb (finish the book) as we encourage and support each other to reach our goal.

Another comparison between authors and athletes is we both have to actively participate in the process.

Authors, to belong to Romance Writers of America (RWA), must be actively pursuing publication. Some writers enter contests like Rose City Romance Writers’ Golden Rose. These contests would be similar to the athletes entering various competitions at different levels of achievement.

Authors also need to have finished a book before they can enter RWA’s Golden Heart or Rita contest.

Olympic athletes have participated in numerous local, state, regional, national and world competitions before reaching the Olympics.

But whether an athlete or an author, it starts with setting our goal.

If you watched The Olympics, what did you learn that you can apply to your life? And if you didn't, what did you experience that became one of your "life lessons?"

Learn more about Judith's The Sacred Women’s Circle series at JudithAshleyRomance.com

Follow Judith on Twitter: JudithAshley19

Check out Judith’s Windtree Press author page.

You can also find Judith on FB! 

© 2018 Judith Ashley