Almost 40 years ago, In the winter of 1980 one of the greatest moments in American Sports History took place in a small arena in Lake Placid, New York. The game was between a USA hockey team made up of 21 year old college kids that had never played together before. Their opponent, the Soviet Union was a much bigger and stronger team. They were experienced, having played together for quite a few years. They had won the past 6 Olympics in a row (56, 60, 64, 68, 72, and 76). Not to mention they had beat the NHL All Stars a few months earlier 6-0… Beating this team would take an absolute miracle…
Miracles are not often created overnight, and if the USA was going to win over the Soviet Union it would be no exception…
Seven months before this game, team USA began to be trained by the great coach Herb Brooks. He began to push them much further and harder than many of them ever wanted to be pushed. There is even a story about them tying a game against Norway in which they hadn’t given their all. The coach made them do wind sprints for an hour after the game was over. The rink manager got sick of waiting and turned the lights off on them, but the coach kept forcing them to skate in the dark. They may not have been the most talented, but they would be the best conditioned in the Olympics. After 7 months of brutal practice, they were as ready as they could be.
And when they showed up to play the Soviet Union in the semi finals, they were ready and they ended up beating the Juggernaut Soviet Union team in dramatic fashion… in the miracle on ice.
If you have not watched the movie “Miracle” I could not recommend it enough… it’s currently on Netflix. It’s truly inspiring. We love seeing people doing the impossible.
So how does all of this relate to you?
It’s time for you to create your Miracle…What is the miracle that you want to create? What are the principles that you can take from the Miracle on Ice that you use in your life?
ANYTHING IS POSSIBLE
It doesn’t matter what the odds are against you, or who thinks you can or cannot do it. The world thought the USA had no chance to beat the Soviet Union, but no one told the USA. The same for you, stop focusing and worrying on what people say and think about you. Decide what you want and believe that it is absolutely possible. Focus on how you can make it happen. Be creative, playful and resourceful. If you have dream that you want to go after, then go after it. Walt Disney said, “If you can dream it you can do it!”
DO THE THING
Be willing to show up and put in the work. When I was younger I really did believe that professional athletes were born with all that talent. I was jaded, I had no idea what it took to become an elite athlete. Team USA had practiced all their lives and then had very disciplined training for 7 months including the basic fundamentals. Be willing to do the work to get what you want in life. Get anxiously engaged. Find someone else that does that thing whether an actual mentor or a book that you use as a mentor, and follow through doing the work. The more you dive in and go after what you want, the happier you will be and the more fun that you will have.
STOP DOUBTING YOURSELF…
A few days before the Olympics began, Team USA played the Soviet Union in an exhibition game. The USA doubted themselves and stood awestruck. They did not believe they could win and they got trounced 10-3… Are you showing up right now with doubt or full faith and belief in yourself? What would you be capable of right now if you stopped doubting yourself? What would you accomplish? Who would you help out? Who would you serve? What great impact would you have on this world? Remember, you are okay as you are and have the power to do great and incredible things.
FIND SOMEONE THAT BELIEVES IN YOU AND CAN PUSH YOU.
Often times, we feel incapable of pushing ourselves through pain, challenges and trials and we need someone that not only believes in us, but also cares about us enough to push us. The USA had coach Herb Brooks who they said was all business and no smiles. He pushed players almost passed their breaking point. Find someone that is willing to push you whether it be a friend or whether you even hire a coach that helps you create the life that you want. It’s easy to make a bunch of commitments, and not keep them. But when you have a coach or even an accountability partner that consistently reminds you of your commitments, it makes all the difference
“Come to the edge,” he said.
They said, “We are afraid.”
“Come to the edge,” he said.
They came.
He pushed them.
And they flew!
-Guillaume Apollinaire
If you are ready to take a leap and create your Miracle, contact me and let’s sit down and have a chat about helping you get where you really want to be!
Remember You’re okay, start doing what’s possible in Your life and you will create miracles!