Watching the Olympics has been an amazing lesson in the power of the mind. It’s fascinating to watch athletes as young as 16 years of age handle the enormous pressure of the Olympics. It’s obvious that every athlete there has put an enormous amount of time into practices to hone their craft. At this level, most, if not all, of them, have the talent to be in contention for a medal. Only three athletes per event, however, succeed at winning a medal. So, what sets the medal winners apart?
What sets the medal winners apart are confidence and the ability to bounce back from mistakes/upsets. The top athletes believe they can win, know that mistakes happen and don’t allow those mistakes to take their mind out of the competition. They trust in their talents, they don’t beat themselves up and they don’t allow others to shake them. They are also willing to do whatever is necessary to reach their dreams—they work hard.
These same qualities are vital in relationships. When we are confident in who we are, believe that we deserve to be treated well and stand behind these convictions no matter how uncomfortable or difficult, we can have great relationships. When we doubt ourselves, look to others for approval or get rocked by our mistakes, we will falter.
Having a successful life, in whatever way you define that, requires that we be willing to do the work. We have to be willing to sit through uncomfortable conversations, hear difficult feedback, work on ourselves, set limits, risk losing a toxic job or relationship and so on. Success doesn’t come easily. Just as the athletes can’t blame their loss on the other athletes’ performances, we also can’t blame our difficulties on others.
When we know people must treat us well, we will live it. When we know we’re worthy, we will act it. When we have confidence in our values, we will stand up for them. “What the mind believes, the body achieves.”
If you believe relationships should be mutually positive experiences, put your hours in and don’t allow others to rattle you and it will happen. If it’s not happening, then ask yourself if you truly believe or if you’re simply wishing.
Challenge: If you’re struggling in your relationships, take a hard look at you. Are you doing the hard work necessary to stand behind your dream? Reaching dreams requires actions, not words. What actions are getting in your way of achieving what you deserve?
