The Olympic spirit is in full force these days with the summer games in London, England. Thousands of well-trained and enthusiastic athletes are competing for their chance at Olympic glory. It is an amazing thing to watch!
Can we learn something from watching? Something about self-confidence that will benefit each of us in the coming days? I believe we can.
1. Self-confidence is learned.
Many people ask: “Are some people just born with self-confidence?” Maybe – but I believe that the majority of us have to learn to be self-confident.
We must, like Olympic athletes, train our minds and bodies in order to develop the ability to live with self-confidence.
This training must be:
By watching the Olympic games we learn that self-confidence is, well, learned.
2. Self-confidence requires support.
I have yet to meet a completely self-trained athlete. You cannot become a confident Olympic athlete in a vacuum. You will need the support of an experienced coach and those closest to you – like family and friends.
An athlete learns to rely on his or her coach for instruction, motivation and support. Without it, the athlete would flounder in uncertainty and struggle to reach their highest potential.
When we watch the Olympics, we see the athletes surrounded by hordes of cheering family and friends. It is obvious that many of them thrive on this support.
In order to live a self-confident life, I advise you to seek out the instruction of a coach or mentor and compliment that instruction with the support of family and friends. The things that we can learn and the added motivation we can receive make the hard work of self-confidence a joy rather than a burden.
3. Self-confidence should be lived out with gratitude.
I was happy to see that the media has made the effort to allow the athletes to express their gratitude for those who have helped them get to the Olympic stage. Special segments have been aired throughout the telecast where athletes from The United States say thank you to friends and family for all their sacrifice and backing along the way.
There is something to be learned here.
Self-confidence must be lived out with a thankful heart and an “attitude of gratitude.”
Why?
To live otherwise is simple arrogance not self-confidence.
The self-confident Olympic athlete has shown that they know they could not have done this without the love, sacrifice and support of those closest to them. For that, they are thankful and they express that thankfulness through gratitude.
The Olympic Games are fun to watch. They are an amazing spectacle of the world’s finest on the grand stage.
Enjoy them – and learn from them while they last!
What have you learned about self-confidence through watching the games?
