It’s happened again. It only happens every four years, but it’s happened again! I am hooked on watching and following the Olympics.
I don’t know what it is? Maybe it’s because I love sports. Maybe it’s because it’s a sense of National pride. Maybe it’s all the hype and hoopla of the events. Maybe it’s learning all the back stories of these amazing athletes and what they’ve had to overcome to achieve the level where they’re at right now. I have no idea, but I always get hooked on the Olympics.
Since I was a child, I remember watching in anticipation all of these events. I used to imagine myself standing on top of the highest podium wearing a gold medal and listening to my National Anthem while everybody cheered, my mom cried, my dad beamed with pride and I felt the sense of accomplishment. While that dream never came to fruition, I still dream and root for these amazing athletes, regardless of the event. Naturally, since I’m from the United States, I root for my country. But I have friends all over the world now and I find myself rooting for their teams and their athletes when they are not competing against the United States.
Of course, there is gymnastics, track and field, soccer, swimming and so many more of the recognizable sports that I have some familiarity with when watching. I am, however, amazed at how many different events are at these games. For example, I found myself glued to the TV watching badminton in the middle of the night. I thought this was nothing more than a backyard game that we played at picnics. I had no idea it was an Olympic sport. I know absolutely zero about field hockey, skeet shooting, sport climbing, skateboarding, surfing, trampoline, canoe sprint and even break dancing….and so many more. But I was mesmerized by the efforts of these athletes as they competed fiercely in their chosen specialty (or niche, if you will).
And while I don’t know much about many of these events, I just need to root for somebody. With the internet, it is now easier to find out more about these events and the rules for these events and games, which help me understand them a little bit more.
These athletes are incredible. So incredible that there is often a need for a still photo and/or video review to find out who actually wins the event. For example, we were watching the 100 meters men’s final in the track and field and the winner won by five thousandths of a second to claim a victory. Without the use of a photo, who knows how they would have determined the winner.
Another example is gymnastics. I see these athletes do what I feel is perfection, but the expert announcers are able to analyze the performances and make deductions based on what they see and based on what video review shows. How in the world is this even possible? I guess that’s why they are experts and I guess it is why they say, “the camera does not lie.”
It seems that with technology almost anything is reviewable and there is very little to hide when it comes to determining a winner in any given event.
So, what does this have to do with running an online business? Well, I’m glad you asked! There are four things to unpack here when comparing these “Gold Medal” thoughts to operating my online business from my point of view.
- The Spirit Of Competition – Generally, I’m a very competitive person. This is no different when it comes to succeeding in my online business. Not necessarily the obvious competition against others in my chosen niche, but more importantly the competition within myself to have the attitude to succeed. I see these athletes at their pinnacle of achievement who have worked so hard to prepare for this moment to succeed. Yes, they are competing against others but they have set themselves up for success by being the best that they can be in order to be in a place to compete with others. That is one of my ultimate goals – To set myself up for success based on preparation, persistence and determination!
- Open To New Ideas And New Things – I need to open myself up to the possibility of learning new things and accept the fact that I don’t know everything I need to know at this time. There’s so much to learn about running an online business. There are so many processes in the behind-the-scenes part of the business and so many things to follow up and follow through on in order to be successful. I am continuing to learn many things. It’s rather exciting when I learn something new or find out something that I had not considered. It makes me realize that I still have the ability to adapt and to get better by learning new things. It’s like me discovering that there are so many different sports out there that so many people love and enjoy. Just because I don’t know anything about these unknown events does not diminish the value of that activity. In fact, as I learn more about these sports while watching them, I learn more about different cultures and about what makes these activities and athletes special.
- Listening To Experts – By this I mean I must not be reliant on only trying to figure things out myself. Yes, my own research has a place in the process. But I also must learn from others as they have paved the way for those of us who want to be successful in this business. Mentors and coaches who are willing to give of their time and offer their expertise create value and success. They help others, which in turn, helps themselves become more successful. Business coaches and mentors are just like those sport commentators on TV who can pick out every single little nuance of the activity the athletes are trying to master because they are experts in the field. They see stuff that the average or novice person does not pick up on because they have done it and are now experts in the field.
- Accepting Instant Replay – It is extremely important to go back and look at what you’ve done to see how you could either have done it better or how great you did. Also, the benefit of having replay or photo to see what these athletes have accomplished not only helps to make them better but also, in many cases, let’s everyone see who actually wins. Instant replay is critical in the business world as it gives a clear and concise picture of where one is in relation to success. The details are in the data and a clear picture is often one of the most important pieces of data. If we are unwilling to go back and look at our performance, we are missing a great opportunity to learn and get better.
I have a deep appreciation for the Olympics as well as my business aspirations as I can see that both are similar as complete dedication is needed for success.
Do you watch the Olympics? What is your favorite sport in the Olympics and what new sport have you discovered if you watch the Olympics?
“Gold medals aren’t really made of gold. They’re made of sweat, determination, and a hard-to-find alloy called guts.” – Dan Gable
“Success is where preparation and opportunity meet.” – Bobby Unser
And of course, a few VERY BAD Dad jokes:
Why did the sprinter eat at his desk? He wanted to eat fast food!
Why did the bicycle win a gold medal? Because it was wheel-y fast!
Until next time, STAY FRESH, Friends!
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Hey, Ernie!
I don’t watch the Olympics, but your post inspired me and made me eager to watch some gymnastics replays! I like how you connected the Olympics to running a business, especially accepting instant replays. So much of running a business is in the little details. I’ve made a list of what to do this week; much of it is a review and understanding of what I’ve already done. I need to make sure I’m on the right track and adjust as needed 🙂 Somehow, framing the process as reviewing like an instant replay makes the prospect much more exciting! I enjoy your posts so much! Have a great week, Ernie!
Nakina
Hi Nakina – Thank you for your visit and your very kind words! I am a fan of yours, as well and enjoy your post very much. Everything is a process and that includes planning for our business success. Just like these athletes plan to succeed by all the work they put into their craft, we must do the same if we are to succeed, right? Dug in, thank you for your visit and I hope you have a fantastic week!
Olympic Athletes are a glimpse into the great potential of what the human is capable. What I learn from that potential is up to me. Athletics is not my schtik but setting goals and accomplishing them is. False beliefs about money, aging and limitations I place on myself are mine to sort out, recognize and place in the trash heap of all beliefs that do not serve.
The Olympics show every human what they are capable of.
Hi Kate – YES!!! We often put limitations on what we’re capable of doing and society tends to label us in unfair ways as you highlight in your comment. I may not be young or have a ton of money or be as gifted athletically as some… but I do add value and I am important and I can contribute. To me that is gold medal caliber. Thanks for your visit, Kate!
I love how you’ve drawn parallels between Olympic sports and running an online business! Your observations about the importance of competition, learning, expert advice, and self-review resonate deeply. Like you, I find that embracing new challenges and seeking mentorship can truly transform our approach and success in the online world.
I have to admit I spent all last night watching breakdancing; as someone who has tried to learn this dance and knows a lot of the people judging and the commentator, I wanted to watch every moment and was so inspired to start up again after watching the women prelims and battles. It really shows you if you are passionate about something and give it your all the money will follow you!!!!! Breaking is a street dance and most of the dancer do not make money, and seeing that changing in the past few years has been incredible, their dedication is now being recognized!!!!
Thank you, Allison, for your comments, your visit and your valuable perspective. I tend to see a lot of parallels with business and a lot of the things that we do every day whether it’s athletic, mowing the lawn and sometimes just even getting out of bed and getting going. The parallel in every situation can be to just do it and do it the best you possibly can. With knowledge, skill, wisdom and help we can do just about anything. I may not win any medals, but that doesn’t make me any less successful. Hey, and break dancing! I would have never in a million years thought that this would be an Olympic event but… here we are! They are so fun to watch and their skill and talent is truly amazing. When I was growing up this was not considered a sport, per se, but more of an art form and an expression of culture. Now I see it as both! This is the Olympics to me, a bunch of people who are well disciplined coming together and competing in a manner that is not only exciting for them but exciting for the world. We may have our differences, but when I watched the Olympics I see a lot of people coming together in one place and around the globe enjoying the beauty of sport and pride. Wow, that was a little deep, huh? Thanks for your visit and have a fantastic week!
I started watching at the beginning and was absolutely staggered at the number and variety of sports there are nowadays. I cannot believe break dancing and skateboarding are now Olympic sports. Great analogy, by the way. You’ve done it again; your posts are always so entertaining!
Hi Andy – Thank you very much for your visit to my blog as well as your very kind comments! Yes, there are so many new events and so many events that are new to me that I found out have been around for a long time. I was hooked for two weeks but that didn’t deter me from doing my work it just was a nice calm distraction when I needed. Again, thank you so much for your visit!
Hi Ernie,
I completely understand your excitement for the Olympics! The sheer dedication and hard work of athletes across various sports are truly inspiring. It’s amazing how these events not only highlight exceptional skills but also introduce us to new and unexpected sports, like you mentioned with badminton and break dancing.
Your comparison between the Olympics and running an online business is insightful. The spirit of competition, the openness to learning, and the value of expert guidance are all crucial elements for success in both arenas. The importance of reviewing and refining our efforts can’t be overstated, much like how athletes use instant replay to perfect their performance.
I’m curious, what’s been your favorite Olympic moment so far?
Keep up the great work with your business and enjoy the rest of the games!
Meredith
Hi Meredith – Thank you very much for your visit to my blog and for your very nice comments. I thoroughly enjoyed the Olympics and now that they are over, I look forward to four years from now when they come to Los Angeles and we can host the Olympics on our own soil.
Yes, running an online business is kind of similar to the preparation these elite athletes need to make to get to the highest level. That’s what I’m doing right now in my preparation for the next level.
As for your question to my favorite Olympic moment so far… it is not necessarily an event but all the back stories of these athletes. The sacrifices they had to make, their family and friends support, the dedication and persistence to get to where they’re at and finally the realization that they are at the top of their game whether they get a medal or just the satisfaction to be at these games. I will say that I am always mesmerized by swimming, gymnastics and track and field. But, as I mentioned in my post I have discovered so many more events that now I am curious. Have a great week!
Hi Ernie,
I didn’t think I could see the connection between Olympic sports and online business until I read your post. Thank you for sharing that.
It all makes a lot of sense now. Competition is something we all need, like fuel or motivation to keep going and learn to gain new ideas and get better. Athletes have coaches, so why not us as well? It just makes things easier when someone with experience guides us. A lot of times, people want to do it themselves, and I guess it’s understandable if, at first, someone doesn’t have the resources when starting out, but the reality is that having a good coach is a huge advantage. It’s an express lane type of situation.
Hi Alberto – I’m so honored that you chose to visit my post and I thank you for your review and for your comments. Having support to accomplish anything which could be sports or running an online business is so beneficial and I’m so glad that I have the support of great mentors and colleagues who have become great friends. I hope and trust you have the same and wish you much success as you compete for your chance to stand on top. Here’s to all of our success!
I love how you’ve tied the Olympic hype to your online business! The way you compare the athletes’ dedication to your own journey is super relatable. It’s so true—just like those athletes, we’ve got to keep pushing ourselves, be open to learning new stuff, take advice from the pros, and review what we’ve done to keep getting better. And honestly, I’m with you on getting hooked on all those random Olympic events—who knew badminton could be so intense? Break Dancing was a new one! Your excitement is infectious, and it’s a solid reminder that the Olympic spirit can totally fuel our own goals. Keep going for that gold in your business!
Hi Sarah – Yes! I do plan to go for the gold in everything that I do including running an online business., more importantly I do it for my “why”. Which has evolved into support of my growing family and causes that I find dear to me. I look forward to four years from now but we can watch this again now that I know a little bit more about these sports that are not so random but truly athletic events. Wouldn’t it be something that if I progressed far enough in my business that I could take the time away to maybe visit Los Angeles and go to an event or two and do a blog post right from the stands? Ahh, one can dream. Trust me, I can dream big! Thank you, as always, for your visit and for your kind comments.
Hi Ernie,
Such a great connection you’ve made between the Olympics and running a business! You have such an amazing way of pulling out the benefits and principals from different experiences and reveal how they relate to running a biz! I tend to stick to watching more soccer than any other event in the Olympics. I most engage in the World Cup, Euro Cup, Copa America, when it comes to large scale events. Lot’s of amazing athletes in the Olympics!
Hi Denny – You’re so kind and thank you for your visit and comments. It seems that the only way that I can relate to things is to call upon experiences of my own or experiences from others and then I apply that to whatever I’m doing. In this case, happens to be my online business, but it can be really anything. I can’t believe I’m saying this, but in the last few years I’ve started to watch soccer more and more. I never thought I would as soccer never interested me. But two things happened: 1) I took the time to watch a game . And don’t laugh, 2) I watched Ted Lasso on TV and I was hooked on how an American football coach could learn the sport and coach at a high level without knowing much about the game. Hey, if that got me interested, that works for me. Have a great week and thanks again for your visit.
Ernie another great post! As I was reading through your comparison of the Olympic Athlete and an Online Business it dawned on me that the Olympics as a whole is also just like online Affiliate Marketing in that the Olympics has many different sports and Affiliate Marketing has many different niches. They both require the athletes / marketers to work hard, endure trials and setbacks while pushing forward in order to reach that pinnacle on the platform. That Gold Medal for the Olympic Athlete or Financial Freedom or whatever the marketers “WHY” maybe. Keep thinking about that next 4-year goal of attending and blogging in LA at an event, I believe you have the skills and potential to be there!
Hi Ken – You make an excellent point about the different sport compared to different niches. Each has their own style and training program, but the ultimate goal is to get the gold. Or at a minimum, exceed in their achievements. Thank you for your comments and your belief in all of our success! Here’s to us and all of us standing on top of the podium! Have a great week, my friend.