Make your life a masterpiece — do your best!

It often takes months and probably years to get ready for an event that takes a few minutes. These champions practiced long and hard in order to become world-class and it paid off. ILLUSTRATION | NATION

What you need to know:

  • Everything has a price. Our athletes knew that to succeed they had to pay that price. It involved being totally committed to being the best and putting in hours of disciplined practice and self-sacrifice.
  • Most of these top athletes not only excelled, they also ended up beating their previous records! Their past performance became a benchmark for improving even further.
  • sk Yego, the self-taught javelin throwing champion who broke the world record. He must have had moments of despair but made the commendable choice to forge on.

Michelangelo is credited with having said that each man should be the best in whatever they do. Our athletes did that, which is why Kenya is on top of the world, having clinched the first position in the International Association of Athletics Federation’s 2015 World Championships held in Beijing. Here are ten points to ponder:

1. Successful people pay the price of success. 

Everything has a price. Our athletes knew that to succeed they had to pay that price. It involved being totally committed to being the best and putting in hours of disciplined practice and self-sacrifice. They paid the price by denying themselves luxuries and instead putting themselves through hours of rigorous practice. They had punishing, tight schedules borne of the knowledge that this self- discipline would give them a competitive edge during the race. It did. They concentrated on becoming the best in their areas and had a laser-like focus.

2. They knew that success was not an overnight thing. 

It often takes months and probably years to get ready for an event that takes a few minutes. These champions practiced long and hard in order to become world-class and it paid off.

3. They practiced under difficult conditions.

Did you know that athletes practice in high altitude to acclimatise their bodies? Many times, people who succeed in life put in long, unseen hours preparing for that defining moment of greatness. How are you preparing for your greatness? Are you paying the price of success?

4. They always had a clear goal in mind.

Each athlete prepared with a clear goal in mind. This goal was visualised and kept at the back of their minds as they prepared. Having a clear goal in mind meant that they were able to evaluate their progress and make necessary amendments.

5. They pushed themselves a little harder than anyone else.

The difference between the best and the first runners’ up in a race is often very little but it makes all the difference on whether you end up with gold or silver.

6. They didn’t rely on their past successes. 

Our heroes knew that their last performance did not guarantee that the next one would be just as great. They knew that they had to prove their worth over and over again. It meant fighting to be the best or remain the best.

7. They knew that they had to improve their previous record.

Most of these top athletes not only excelled, they also ended up beating their previous records! Their past performance became a benchmark for improving even further.

Each time they completed a race, they would look at their watches, and not at those around them. They didn’t focus on beating others but on beating their best performance. When they did this, beating others took care of itself.

8. Our heroes made a choice not to give up.

Sometimes they sprained their muscles, got injured and became discouraged but they made a personal choice not to give up. Ask Yego, the self-taught javelin throwing champion who broke the world record. He must have had moments of despair but made the commendable choice to forge on.

9. They celebrated one other’s success.

It was a wonderful thing seeing our athletes hugging and congratulating one another upon completing their races. It did not matter that one did better than the other; they celebrated together. This team spirit is the essence of successful organisations.

10. They brought pride and inspired others to aspire for greatness.

Example is always better than precept. Their success made them role models for others. Those travelling out of the country will definitely be happy to tell the world that they come from Kenya, the land of these great athletic champions.

Will you make your life a masterpiece by doing your best? The choice is always yours!