Five Things I Have Learned from Watching the Olympics and Reality Competition TV.

I’m not much of a sports person. I am neither athletic nor interested in watching sports. I mean, yes, I ran a half marathon, but I just have no natural athletic ability or inclination.

I sat on the bench during most of my years playing softball and running track. I am slow, I am uncoordinated, and I don’t like hard work. I’ve never liked watching football (even though I pretended for a few years to appease Mike).

And yet, like much of our country, I’ve been enthralled with the Olympics this summer. Watching people who have dedicated countless hours and many years of their life to becoming perfect at a skill or event compete against each other is thrilling and fascinating. (And a bit heartbreaking. After the USA-Canada women’s soccer game, Mike had to tell me when it was safe to look. The sad losing team breaks my heart a little.)

I am far from becoming an Olympic athlete (or even an athlete), but I learn a lot from watching these crazy-dedicated athletes compete and discuss their performance. It is in those moments after a win (or a loss) that I learn a lot about being successful.

With the lack of my favorite shows in the summer, I’ve also taken up watching reality competition shows. Specifically, The Next Food Network Star and Design Star. Two shows about a lot of talented people competing to be The Best at what they do (either cooking or interior designing). I know, right? I’m a little embarrassed to admit how much I love watching them, and even more embarrassed at the fact that I gleaned some major life and business lessons from the shows.

Yes. I now refer to reality television and Olympic athletes for notes on how to live my life.

Here is what I learned from them:

1. Keep your eyes in your own lane. I heard a female swimmer who broke an Olympic record tell a reporter that was her method for winning gold. US gymnast Gaby Douglas won gold on a night where she closed her eyes while her competitors were performing. She didn’t watch their performances so that she wouldn’t lose her focus on her own routine. I can relate to this. Sometimes, I read blogs that are incredibly written and think, “Well. Why do I even try? She just said everything I wanted to say, but better.” Or I’ll look at another web designer or photographer’s portfolio and think, “Dear God. I will never, ever be that good. I should just give up.”

When I am busy getting intimidated by others’ progress, I am not working on my own.

2. Confidence is (almost) everything. I often see the most talented individual doubt him or herself and that is their downfall. They have all the ingredients for success, but without confidence and a belief in themselves, they cannot succeed.  Who am I to think I can start a business, run a blog, have an Etsy shop? Who am I to charge that?

3. Extreme success requires hard work and sacrifice. Being really, really good at something didn’t come by happenstance. It requires early mornings and late nights and missing out. And I can opt for moderate success because I don’t want all that sacrifice and that’s just fine.

4. Just keep shooting. Or, also: You miss 100% of the shots you don’t take. Watching the soccer and water polo games, they would just keep taking shots at the goal, undeterred by their misses.  It reminds me of the little sign my grandpa made for himself I have hanging over my desk:

5. Sometimes, it just comes down to luck. Even when you have a lot of insanely talented people, only one person will win. If you’re at the right place, at the right time, shooting like crazy with lots of talent – it might be you. And if not, take comfort in knowing that you did your best. Seriously.

Now excuse me while I finish watching the US vs. Japan women’s soccer final.

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Also, I blame the Olympics and some late-night impulse buying for why I signed up for another half marathon that’s in 8 weeks. I will be scouring the comments from this post for encouragement and ideas. What on earth was I thinking?!