This summer we all had the opportunity to watch the Summer Olympics in London. Every four years I look forward to watching athletes from all around the world test themselves to the limits of their abilities. One of the events I really enjoy is Track and Field. I was mesmerized as I watched Jamaican sprinter Usain Bolt shatter world records and make it look like he was just going for a stroll in the park.
Because of the way that he won those races, there are many who now call him one of the best athletes that ever lived. But not everyone has the same sentiment. While perusing the sports news the other day, I saw that Bruce Jenner (who won a gold medal in the decathlon in 1976) took issue with Bolt being called one of the greatest athletes. Jenner says that while Bolt is decidedly a good sprinter, he cannot throw a javelin or clear a bar in the high jump.
My first reaction was that Jenner might be jealous of the adulation that Bolt is receiving. Upon further reflection, I considered that maybe Jenner has a point. Who is to say that Usain Bolt is a better athlete than Michael Phelps (who won 22 medals in London this year)? What makes one a better athlete than the other? They are both at the top of their sports, but one is not better than the other. What does make these athletes so special is that they are so good at what they do, the best in the world even.
It is amazing that these people have spent many years and countless hours to train for an event that is over in less than a minute. That is why they are so successful in what they do. They focused their energy into a very small area of expertise and became the best in the world at it. But this principle doesn’t just apply to elite athletes, this principle applies to anyone who wants to become an expert in what they do.
Everyone is good at something and you need to be able to sift through the noise of your daily life and figure out what your talents are. If you are good at pitching ideas to people, then find a way to hone that talent. Say you are really good at organizing and prioritizing. Then work on improving your organization and prioritization skills and don’t worry so much about the fact that you find writing a proposal to be difficult.
Michael Phelps cannot do a triple-back twist- layout tumbling pass on the floor. But, Gabby Douglas can’t swim the 400m relay and finish with a respectable time either. They both learned early on to find out what they are good at and to focus on it and improve.
Once you find the skill that you are good at, do what it takes to train yourself to be better at it. Become a specialist. If you want to become an expert in the marketing of sports memorabilia, then go and learn about marketing sports memorabilia. Talk to others in the industry, read trade publications, talk to vendors, look at people who are successful and learn their techniques.
I was talking to someone who was feeling discouraged on their job search the other day. They had been looking for employment for several months and his confidence was shaken. He said that he wasn’t a particularly smart person and that it would be hard to find a job. I knew the opposite to be true. He is a smart person and he will be able to find a job, he just needs to remember to look for his strengths and magnify them.
Just remember, you are smart about what you’re smart about. Don’t be discouraged by your weaknesses, instead, focus on your strengths and find ways to make them even stronger. Become a specialist and believe in yourself. Focus on your talents and work on them to make them better. Now go out there and win that gold medal!
The Art of Focus
