The Olympic Legacy - Are You Inspired?

So there we have it. Three weeks of what most will agree was one of the greatest sporting spectacles this century, with the added bonus of the phenomenal performance of Team GB at the London 2012 Olympics. Well done to you all - you made us proud to be British.

With such fantastic results by British athletes such as Sir Chris Hoy, Mo Farah, Bradley Wiggins, Jessica Ennis and Nicola Adams (to name but a few) and the record breaking international feats of the likes of Usain Bolt and David Rudisha, I sincerely hope that a raft of children, young people and adults alike are all now jumping on their bikes, buying new trainers or will shortly be going to their school, sports centre or local sports club thinking "that looks fun" and "if they can do that...". From such people will come our Olympians of the future.

But what inspiration can be drawn from the Olympics that doesn't involve a sudden rush into sport? If you were to list some of the characteristics demonstrated by all of the athletes and expressed consistently during the many post event interviews, what might be identified?

Goal Focused
Dedication

Commitment

Courage

Perseverance

Talent

Self Belief

Determination

Self Improvement

Strength in the face of adversity

Desire to Succeed

Prepared to risk failure

Self Awareness

This list is not scientifically derived, exhaustive, nor in any particular order. But if you are facing any challenge such as seeking to change career, overcoming a fear or learning a new skill you might consider how the above characteristics might help you achieve your goal. Of course, another constant in the success of all of the athletes is a very good coach plus the support of family, friends and colleagues has a hugely positive part to play too.

There is no doubt that the commitment required to be an Olympic athlete is massive. In my own much lesser way, I've had an insight into this when  preparing for the Edinburgh Marathon earlier this year, and the Loch Ness Marathon which has still to come. At times I wondered why I was out running in the rain and wind (still do) but when you really want to do something then that is what it takes, and somehow you find the time and dedication to do it. The sense of achievement having successfully completed it is amazing - and it is a feeling we can all experience.

Ultimately, the characteristics listed above are in all of us. To most, learning to drive presents a significant challenge but if you can be inspired to find the qualities demonstrated by a whole raft of sporting individuals from a wide range of age groups, social backgrounds, ethnicity and nationality then you can achieve your own gold medal.  It might be in the guise of a Driving Test Pass Certificate, or whatever your personal goal is, but the result is just as impressive.


I wish you every success.