Olympics reminds us about passion and legacy

Passions create legacy

As I watch the 2010 Olympics, I find my jaw drops at how amazing these athletes are in their craft.  I was doing my usual surfing and found a blog that was somewhat critical about the sacrifices it takes to become the best and whether it is worth sacrificing friends and family to pursue the Olympic dream.  They asked some questions which I thought I would share my answers.

How much time and training goes into becoming the best?

I guess that’s where passion has to come into play.  How can you spend that much time if you don’t love what you do?  How many people are spending a lot of time doing things they don’t love to do?  I think there is a lesson here work may not appear to be work it you are doing what you love.

Our world today is big on balance. Seeking balance also has it’s own set of sacrifices. Sometimes I think ‘balance’ is a cope out for laziness.  This may be a little extreme but we need to encourage hard work, especially when our society has developed a sense of entitlement.

There’s an old saying “Work Smarter, not harder” which was born from the time management industry.  I think there may be a place for this saying but I believe that the more appropriate saying should be “Work Smarter AND harder.”  I’ve had the pleasure of meeting successful people and they will all tell you that their success came from hard work.  I believe you get out what you put in and these athletes should be proud of their sacrifices.

Is there really such thing as the best?

When I watch the downhill skiers, snow borders or speed skaters, and look at the difference between 1st and 6th, the difference is a fraction of effort but it is the difference between a medal and no medal at all. 

When you look at 20 competitors, these people are the ‘Best’ in their field but only 1 can the best at the moment.  Some feel bad for the person that comes in fourth or just misses the gold by a fraction.  I think the person that comes in fourth needs to relish in his or her accomplishment even though they did not get a medal.  I am about competition but I think there is something about the journey.  Just getting to the Olympics is a feat in itself.

Is training for the Olympics too much of a sacrifice?

I think it is a ridiculous question.  These people make choices and this choice is to create a memory or experience that will last a lifetime. 

When I look at these Olympians, my jaw drops in awe at the commitment and work ethic it takes to get there. I think we should celebrate their accomplishments and encourage people to follow their passions in life. If you love what you do, it is easy to spend time working hard at it. In fact, it may not feel like work when it is their passion.

The way I look at it, is these athletes have started the process of writing their own legacy. Being a strong advocate of creating, diarizing and sharing personal life legacies (www.MyLegacyOrganizer.com), I can’t think of a better way to spend your time.  Add in the lessons of hard work, dedication, and motivation and I think you have a sure fire formula for future success.

A parent’s perspective

If my kids ever decided to compete at a really high level I am going to encourage them and help them follow their passions and create their life legacy.  I want my kids to know that I support following their passions.

If my kids have the drive, passion, talent or ability to become great at anything, I will encourage them and be supportive in their endeavors. How proud would I be if my son’s competed in a future Olympics even if they came in fourth? That journey and experience is invaluable and is a life lesson that can be applied to all facets of life and I believe the experience will make him a better person.

If we relate this back to money (because that’s what I do for a living) . . . In my own life, I made big time sacrifices early and worked really hard to create the business. I saved money and made some fantastic financial choices (thanks to my profession). It is those sacrifices that give me choices and my current ability to work part time as a parent of four boys and afford a good lifestyle. I think encouraging people to work harder and become better is a good thing. I think we need to encourage people to find their passions in life. As a parent, these are things I want to encourage my four boys strive for. I want my boys to always try their best as opposed to have to be the best.

Brandon's poop story

OK, I'm sure every parent has a good poop story.  You would think with 4 boys, I would have lots but the truth is I don't . . . until this weekend.  Yes, you probably guessed it . . . Little Brandon was quite the story maker this weekend!

So Saturday morning was the usual routine as Robbie had a soccer game and when we got back, I could tell Liz needed a little break as Brandon is really, really, really busy these days.  Out of our 4 kids, he is the busiest of all.  We never had to childproof for any of our other kids like we do for Brandon.  He is curious and into everything.

So when I got home, Liz went upstairs to do whatever and mother does with 4 kids - clean, laundry, sleep, shower, poop, scream - whatever.  Doesn't matter.  I had the responsibility of watching Brandon and some of the other kids which is not a big deal because we do it everyday.  Well, suffice it to say, I was distracted (which is normal in my house) and Brandon was quiet (which is abnormal in my house) so I immediately got suspicious and went looking for the little bugger.

I found him in the bathroom playing.  He was playing dip the toilet paper in the toilet bowl of brothers pee and throwing it on the floor.  Arghhhhhhh!  I carried him upstairs (carefully) yelling at the other boys to stay away from the bathroom, give a lesson on how to flush after peeing and institute a new rule in the house . . . bathroom doors stay closed!!!  This is the mild event.

Later that evening, Liz's parent came over to watch Brandon while we took the other three boys to the Golden Bears Hockey game.  Liz was getting ready with Jason and Connor.  I was downstairs with Brandon, Robbie and the grandparents.  Count the adults . . . that's 3 adults with 2 children (But Robbie's easy so it's really only one child or should I say terror).

I'm talking to the grandparents when once again things are too quiet.  Oh my **!@ , Brandon has done it again but this time in a different bathroom.  This time Robbie took a poop and did not flush.  Brandon decided to play dip the toilet paper again but this time he thought he would take the toilet bowl cleaner and stir it around and paint the walls with poopy water and mushed up toilet paper.

Up he went while I yelled at Robbie about flushing the toilet and keeping the bathroom door closed and I yelled at the other boys to stay away from me and the mess unless they wanted to eat poop.  I ripped off Brandon's clothes and get him into the shower talking to him about how this in unacceptable behavior and the bathroom is off limits and how this is really disgusting and he will never find a woman to marry if he keeps this up and that he is destined to be alone for the rest of his life.

At that moment of relentless squawking (that's me squawking), he looked at me with his round eyes silently saying "Dadddeeeeeee"  It wasn't the words that said the message, it was the look that said "What's wrong dad?  Do you need a hug? I love you!"  And he gave me a hug in the shower.

I know this poop story has been experienced by many.  Kids are kids - frustrating, a lot of work at times but yet so innocent, loving and perfect.  I love you too Brandon!