On February 13, 2022, history was made in the Olympic sport of speed skating. Erin Jackson, a new name to behold in the name of the sport, was honored as the gold medal winner in an exciting race for first.
It may surprise you, however, to know that Jackson has not been a speed skater all her life. Only four months after stepping out onto the ice for the first time in 2018, she became the first black woman to qualify for Team U.S.A. Although the new terrain was unfamiliar, Jackson gave herself every opportunity to get out onto the ice. By going back to the rink day every day to get used to her new environment, she was setting herself up for historic success.
By choosing something she enjoyed, and staying committed to her process, she was putting herself in a position where she would have opportunities to prosper. Although the journey may not have always been comfortable, her trust, and patience with the process, ultimately paid off.
This story is a good one to keep in mind when taking on your next venture. Do you want to try something new? Become a better cook? Learn a new instrument? Even pick up speed skating? Whatever your new hobby may be, let’s talk about part of the Olympic recipe for success. Trust and patience are important parts of the overall process that will lift you to success.
Trust the process! You may have heard the common phrase “practice makes perfect,” but I challenge you to tell yourself this instead: “practice makes improvement.” Erin Jackson’s historic gold medal can make it hard to remember that it took her four years to get to that point. Take the pressure off of yourself to be perfect with your new hobby and simply focus on improvement and enjoyment. Without the confinements of unattainable expectations, you may find more success.
Be patient with yourself! Setting expectations too high or putting too much pressure on the situation can stifle your enthusiasm. Without that enthusiastic spark that got you going in the first place, it’s probable your new undertaking won’t last much longer. It’s unlikely that your new meal, first song, or race are going to be perfect. Understanding that the ultimate goal is to enjoy yourself and improve with each session, you will alleviate the pressure of getting it right the first time. Mistakes are human, and part of what makes the end result more satisfying. It’s always a joy to cheer on Team U.S.A. at the Olympic games, but Jackson’s story of her first time lacing up the skates is what makes her victory so much sweeter. It reminds us that everyone starts somewhere, even Olympic champions.
By Reilly Miller
Photo source for title and within article:
Azzi, Alex. “Erin Jackson Makes Olympic History with Speed Skating Gold.” On Her Turf, 14 Feb. 2022 https://onherturf.nbcsports.com/2022/02/13/erin-jackson-gold-speed-skating-2022-winter-olympics/.
