I love the Olympics.  I enjoy watching the various events, I appreciate the nationalism tempered by healthy athletic competition, and I am often moved by the individual stories of struggle and triumph.  Triumph does not necessarily mean winning a medal, but in giving one’s absolute best regardless of circumstance.  That goal is simply stated in the Olympic motto:

Citius – Altius – Fortius;

Latin words meaning Faster – Higher – Stronger

Coupled with the Olympic Creed listed below, the opening ceremonies on Friday will be a call to personal excellence for all participants.

The most important thing is not to win but to take part, just as the most important thing in life is not the triumph but the struggle. The essential thing is not to have conquered, but to have fought well.  -Pierre De Coubertin

Coubertin believed and promoted that sport could provide an important life lesson; giving one’s best and striving for personal excellence was a worthwhile goal.  It is a lesson that still applies today, not only to sports, but to each one of us.  While we may not run, jump, or swim to beat world records, each one of us can strive to give our personal best each and every day.  Certainly, a worthwhile goal.

The above information is adapted from The Olympic Symbols, offered by The Olympic Museum at www.olympic.org

Tuesday Tidbits are weekly messages I send to my leadership team. They are generally short & sweet, often focused on leadership or teamwork, always positive and, hopefully, motivational. I hope you also find some meaning in them.

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