| summer, billions of fans are watching athletes from | | | | can learn more from failure than success. You, too, |
| around the world compete in the Beijing Olympics. With | | | | can treat your setbacks as a teaching tool. And as |
| political controversy and global tensions currently | | | | you do, you will become more resilient and adaptable. |
| running rampant, these diverse games reflect the | | | | 4. Relish support that comes from those who care |
| delicate balance between reality and entertainment. If | | | | about you. Individual athletes depend on an entourage |
| you're a Sandwiched Boomer, the Olympics can | | | | of people assisting them - coaches, trainers, family, |
| satisfy the yearning for distraction from your | | | | friends, sponsors and teammates. As you work |
| immediate concerns about economic instability and | | | | toward your own goals, the cheering section may be |
| caring for your family-in-flux. | | | | more limited - family, friends, teachers, support groups. |
| The Games provide color, drama and a broad | | | | But, whatever the size, accept the encouragement. |
| demonstration of excellence - enjoy them. In addition to | | | | Function as a team and be available to help sustain |
| news about the venues, there is information streaming | | | | others when they need it. Athletes talk about the |
| from Beijing that goes beyond who is winning and | | | | Olympic village and see themselves as part of that |
| losing gold medals. Here are 6 tips about how to | | | | community. Who makes up your community? |
| incorporate the deeper meaning of the Olympics into | | | | 5. Explore other cultures. With its symbol of five |
| your life: | | | | interlinking rings, the Olympics celebrate the unity of the |
| 1. Find your unique passion and cultivate it. There are | | | | games while honoring individual nationalities. Athletes |
| hundreds of events at the Olympics, each representing | | | | pay tribute to each other by trading pins with those |
| a specific activity that athletes have chosen to pursue. | | | | from other countries. China has a population of one |
| They range from rhythmic gymnastics to javelin | | | | and a third billion and is composed of over 50 distinct |
| throwing, from fencing to sailing, from synchronized | | | | ethnic groups - all represented in the show of diversity |
| swimming to boxing. What brings you joy and the | | | | and solidarity at the opening ceremonies. Learn more |
| ability to be fully engaged? Recognize the creativity | | | | about people who are different from you. This doesn't |
| and excitement that emerge as you follow your | | | | necessarily mean travel to exotic places - it could just |
| dreams. | | | | be a bus ride to another part of town. You will be |
| 2. Excellence comes with hard work and practice. | | | | enriched by your openness to those who do not share |
| Learning about the training schedules of Olympic | | | | your history and experiences. |
| athletes reminds us that accomplishments don't come | | | | 6. Enjoy your successes. Observe the Olympic |
| easy. Repetition is the handmaiden of success. Set | | | | athletes when they stand on the winners' platform with |
| long-term goals as well as realistic and incremental | | | | their medals, listening to their national anthems. Their |
| steps to reach them. Give yourself credit when you | | | | pride and emotionality are palpable. Reward yourself |
| achieve an objective and, as you set the next one, aim | | | | when you reach a significant target and savor the |
| to move ever closer toward your ultimate goal. Strive | | | | feelings of power that come from your achievement. |
| for your personal best - and remember the most | | | | You deserve it. |
| important competitor you have is actually you. | | | | As you appreciate the spectacle of the Beijing |
| 3. Expect to fail sometimes. And when you do, pick | | | | Olympics, don't be seduced into remaining a spectator |
| yourself up and start over again. Every athlete who | | | | - getting your only exercise from having a finger on |
| has made it into Olympic competition has suffered | | | | the remote button. Jump into the game of life and |
| injury and disappointment along the way - but that has | | | | become a winner yourself. |
| not been the end of the quest. They know that they | | | | |
