Welcome to the Week: 5 Takeaways from the Paris 2024 Olympics

When I was young, I remember some of my favorite Olympic memories, whether it was the Jamaicans on the Bobsled at the City of Calgary Olympics in 1988, seeing the USA Basketball Men's Dream team own the court in 1992, going to the Atlanta Olympics in 1996 and attending the USA Men’s Basketball final and of course seeing Kerri Strug and her one legged vault take home the Gold for Team USA.

The Marathon has always been my favorite Olympic sport. As a runner, I love how the marathoners compete on the last day of the Olympics and typically come into the stadium as they finish their 26.2 miles.

When I have finished a training run or two in my own Marathon training, I may have said to myself more than a couple of times… “Here comes David Osterweil, leading the Kenyan by just 5 seconds as they make their way into the Olympic Stadium… can he hold him off…”? I seem to always come away with the victory.

We only get to celebrate the Olympics every two years for alternating Winter and Summer. As we dive into this week, let’s run towards some inspiration from the 2024 Paris Olympics. To kick off (I promise I am done) the Olympics aren’t just about sports; they’re a treasure trove of lessons that can make a meaningful difference in our week ahead.

Here are five key lessons I take away from the Olympics.

1. The Power of Consistency

Athletic achievements are built on years of relentless practice and dedication. Take Simone Biles, who returned to the Olympics this year. Her journey back to the top wasn’t easy—it was filled with countless hours of solo practice, overcoming mental and physical challenges without the spotlight.

True excellence in any field requires consistent effort, often behind the scenes. As we approach our week, remember that consistent work (our equivalent often of practice) lays the foundation for our biggest successes.

As Adam Grant says, “Greatness is built in the Daily Grind.”

2. The Bonds

The culture of the Olympics and Team USA is a testament to the power of team unity. Watching our athletes cheer for each other, regardless of individual outcomes, is a powerful reminder of the strength found in unity.

In whatever workplace you go to every week, celebrate each other’s wins and support one another through challenges. It is what we practice at Fitlife Foods . If you have a chance, see how we make this come to life on our Instagram.

3. Coming Together Amid Adversity

In a world and a country often divided by conflict and challenges, the Olympics show us how sport can unite people from diverse backgrounds. Athletes from different ethnicities and countries come together to compete and share their passion. This unity is a powerful example of how we can come together despite our differences. Let’s embrace diversity and strive for unity, understanding that our varied perspectives make us stronger.?

It doesn’t matter who you vote for or what your views are - when it comes to the Team USA in any sport we are all cheering for the same team.

4. Exceeding Expectations

Hosting the Olympics demands extraordinary preparation from the host city, with immovable deadlines and high expectations. Paris has shown us how to rise to the occasion and exceed expectations through meticulous planning and execution. Their opening ceremony on the Seine was unlike anything we have ever seen before.?

Similarly, we can aim to surprise and delight our customers, clients, and colleagues by setting high standards and consistently delivering exceptional results. Let’s approach each task with the mindset of exceeding expectations.

We work toward a higher standard when we set deadlines for ourselves and work relentlessly to achieve them.

5. Finding Joy in the Journey

Not all athletes will win medals and for most, just being part of the Olympics is a victory unto itself. Take the example of the bronze medalists who often express the most joy, grateful to stand on the podium.

Success isn’t just about the top prize; it’s about appreciating the journey and the small victories along the way. Let’s find happiness in our daily efforts and achievements, no matter how small they may seem.

As we move through our week, let’s carry these Olympic values with us—consistency, team spirit, unity, striving for excellence, and finding joy in the journey. Here’s to a week of Olympic-level success!

Go Feed Your Journey!

David