It only happens once every four years, however takes a lifetime of dedication, sacrifice, and training to compete on the world stage.Everyone who watched the Olympics experienced the exhilaration of victory and the heart break of defeat. Sometimes the difference is so small (i.e. Michael Phelps winning 100 meter fly by 0.01 seconds) that you can hardly tell the difference between a Gold & Silver performance…although I am positive Dara Torres (losing 50 meter free by 0.01 seconds) knows.

One of the most enjoyable aspects of watching the Olympics is witnessing previously unbreakable records fall (Bolt running 200M in 19.3 seconds & the 100M in 9.69). Admittedly, the hardest part is watching someone slip or fall and fail to reach their goal.

GOALS

One thing I noticed when they interviewed Phelps was that he had ALL of his goals written down. Further, he had a copy next to his bed and read them every night before he fell asleep. He dreamed about 8 Gold medals & 8 World Records. He woke up and believed he could accomplish his goals. Most importantly, he was disciplined in his training to make sure he was in a position to achieve his goals.

Whether analyzing athletic accomplishments, top level business performance or individual career goals, having a clear vision of ‘what excellence looks like’ is critical to measuring success. From my experience one of the most challenging aspects of establishing goals is actually writing them down! Most people have an idea of what they want to accomplish personally and professionally, however do not go through the process of writing them down, reviewing them daily, building the belief that a goal is attainable, and working hard to achieve them.

SMART (Project Management - Wikipedia)
S.M.A.R.T. (TechRepublic)

So, is your career Olympic bound? Most likely you have an area where you could make some improvements. Take a step back and evaluate yourself, set several SMART goals and work hard to achieve them. Perhaps there is a seminar you could attend or certification you could obtain that would set you apart from other professionals. Is there a project you could participate in to gain valuable experience? Most importantly, have you done everything in your power to be ready for London in 2012?

Is your company Olympic bound? If so, what are the Company’s performance goals? Is the Company mentality Gold medal or bust, just happy to be here, or are you one top performer away from Medal contention. The next Olympics are four years away; will your Company have the talent, succession planning, and steady performance to be ready for The Games in London?

About the Author:

Andy Gross is a senior team member with The SearchLogix Group. His expertise is in filling positions in logistics, supply chain and operations. Andy is currently pursuing his Masters degree and when not cracking a book, you can find him on the racquetball courts with his toddler son cheering him on.

Article By: Andy Gross - You can reach Andy at andygrosspr@searchlogixgroup.com.

Article courtesy of the Recruiting Blogswap, a content exchange service sponsored by CollegeRecruiter.com, a leading site for college students looking for internships and recent graduates searching for entry level jobs and other career opportunities.