#2021Olympics #pressure #mentalhealth #decisions
Simone Biles decided to opt out many of the 2021 Olympics gymnastics events for her mental health.
Sunisa Lee almost quit gymnastics, but pressed on and eventually won a Gold Medal at the same Olympics.
CNN’s Alisyn Camerota posed the question: What is the teachable moment here?
Many of us were always told to press through obstacles. Play hurt. Don’t let setbacks stop you.
Now, with Biles and swimmer Michael Phelps, among others, there is new thinking. If your head is not in the right place, take a step back.
In other words, know your limits. It’s OK not to be OK. Time away can help you.
It was undoubtedly difficult for Biles, considered the greatest gymnast of all time, to pull out of what was said to be her last Olympics. After all, she’s the best at what she does, she can bring home many medals for the U.S. and the Olympics are what she works so hard for. Some ask, how can her mental state get in her way? Can’t she just suck it up and play through it?
As an elite athlete, both mind and body have to work together. In one of her events, Biles got a “twisty,” meaning her mind did not know where she was, what to do and how to land, in mid air.
News reports say that if she weren’t as good as she is, she could have landed wrong and injured herself, perhaps to the point of paralysis.
She’s gotten “twisties” before, but she didn’t want to risk it again, the reports say.
Meanwhile, U.S. teammate Lee, earlier in her career, was not in a good place. She thought of quitting the sport, news reports say.
Yet, she persevered. That paid off with a Gold Medal in the all-around exercises at the 2021 Olympics.
So, what do you tell your kids when they ask questions about these incidents? Often, as children, we are taught to overcome, or push through, obstacles. We are encouraged not to get discouraged.
Here’s what you may have been told: Others are depending on you.
Everyone reacts differently to that kind of pressure. Some can handle it regularly and for life. Others can handle it for a time, but not all the time. Still, others can’t handle it at all.
Elite athletes face that pressure regularly. Most have their own way of dealing with it. But, sometimes it can build up over many years to a point that it becomes too tough to handle. In that case, many elite athletes retire. Some should retire, but press on. Others press on to more success.
So, this begs a question. How do you handle obstacles? Do you simply avoid them at all cost? Or, do you accept the challenge they pose? Things will happen to you in your workplace. Many are not in your control. How do you handle them? Are you looking for something better?
There are many programs out there that allow you to spend a few, part-time, off-work hours a week to enhance your income, and your future. No specific education, experience or background is required. You just need an open mind, and willingness to do something you perhaps never thought you would do.
To learn about one of the best such programs, message me.
Lee’s and Biles’ situations are not mutually exclusive. You just have to know yourself, know what you want and know how to protect yourself. May you find the right place for you.
Peter