Yesterday we talked about how the Olympics can provide teachable moments for your children. Today--how the Olympics provide teachable moments for adults! Specifically, for your careers.
And this is an important issue for all people, and especially for those of us with Moebius Syndrome. Let's face it, it can be tough for us out there in the job world. People look at us a lot harder. Because we look different, some automatically assume that we have an intellectual disability; or in general that we're so "different" that we could never do the job. Or, even if we do get hired, some--because we look and sound a bit different--maybe will never quite trust us, will never quite believe in us, are reluctant to promote us. Some of you out there have told me your stories. I know this can happen. And yet, we keep at it; we keep trying. It's how we roll. And we do amazing things every day. And we can keep learning, too. The article below can help with that. I saw it today and thought it was interesting. What do the Olympics have to teach us adults out here in the working world? Read on:
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Struggling with balance in the workplace? Take a cue from Shaun White.
White, a professional snowboarder, is arguably one of the biggest
stars in this year’s Olympic Games in Sochi, and fans were likely
disappointed when he announced Thursday he would not be participating in
the slopestyle snowboarding competition to protect his health.
After much deliberation with my team, I have made the decision to
focus solely on trying to bring home the third straight gold medal in
halfpipe for Team USA,” White told the TODAY show. “However, with the
practice runs I have taken, even after course modifications and watching
fellow athletes get hurt, the potential risk of injury is a bit too
much for me to gamble my other Olympic goals on."
White is a two-time defending gold medalist in the halfpipe and will giving his full attention to a third win,
The decision couldn’t have been easy, but career expert Jill Jacinto,
says it demonstrates the struggle many employees have when it comes to
prioritizing in the workplace. The fall out of the financial crisis has
led many companies to scale back their payrolls, which means they are
demanding more from current workers.
“People do tend to over commit and over promise,” Jacinto says. “And
at the end of the day, they come up short on both ends. You need to take
a realistic look at your time, start smaller and choose when to show
your strengths.”
Here are a few other lessons Jacinto says workers can learn from Olympians, who start competing Friday in Russia:
No. 1: Your Reputation Matters. Olympians represent so much
more than just athletic prowess, Jacinto says. “You represent your fans,
your country and are a role model. It’s always about acting with
leadership and being your best self.”
Workers’ actions can reflect poorly on an employer. Tweeting a
disparaging photo or blogging about another company’s misstep lives
online forever and speaks volumes about the poster’s character. “It’s
making sure you maintain your personal brand and understand the impact
it can have.”
No. 2: Practice Every Day. The athletes competing in Sochi
have trained for most of their lives to participate in the games, and
workers should realize that there is no such thing as an overnight
success.
“A lot of people snap their fingers and think they will immediately
make a lot of money,” she says. “Millennials in particular have that
quality in thinking, and don’t realize how much work goes into it. There
is never a point in your career where you can say, ‘I know it all, and I
can stop learning.’”
An event like the Olympics is a great example of when hard work and
practice all come together to create success, which is something every
worker can learn from.
No. 3: Think Global. The Olympics bring athletes from around
the world together, demonstrating the importance of respecting,
absorbing and learning about others.
“You should have an open mind outside of your comfort zone,” Jacinto
says. “If you take this approach in the workplace, you will have a
better understanding of the industry on a global scale.”
No. 4: You will Fail Sometimes, Learn to Deal With It. One of
the most memorable awards ceremonies from the 2012 summer games in
Beijing when U.S. gymnast McKayla Maroney took the silver home for the
vault event, and made her now-infamous “not impressed” face.
The way she handled her victory will long outlive how she placed in the games, Jacinto says.
“Most people might not even recall that she came in second, but will
always remember that snarky face over her performance,” she says. “It’s a
lesson to be graceful and become aware of your actions.”
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