What can you do with a good work ethic? | The Odyssey Online
Start writing a post
Sports

What can you do with a good work ethic?

Inspired by Katie Ledecky

5
What can you do with a good work ethic?
NBC news

Yes, it's cliched, but you can do it! (Also Katie Ledecky is awesome)

Every 4 years, people around the world obsess over the incredible levels of skill and physical ability at the Summer Olympic Games. I often get the feeling that people think that the athletes are untouchable, and they tend to depreciate themselves and say things like “I wish I was that good” or “I could never do that”. What separates us from the Olympians? Now talent does have something to do with their success. But the real reason why they are in Rio is because of their hard work. One person who exemplifies the diligence necessary to become the best is the unstoppable Katie Ledecky.

For those of you who do not know her, Katie Ledecky is a U.S. freestyle swimmer who has never lost a major international race. She was pegged as a long distance swimmer last Olympics in London when she won the 800 freestyle as a 15 year-old. Then, she surprised us by winning the 200 and 400 freestyle in Rio.

^the top times for the 800 LCM free Belong to Katie.

And what does she say when a reporter asked her what her secret was? There is none. You just have to work hard. That’s it. If you want to be the best, you have to be single-minded in your approach to life. For Katie, she had her goals, and she did whatever she had to do to achieve them. When she was younger, after she broke her arm, she put a bag over her cast and kept swimming. She NEVER quit. We all know the sayings “Winners never quit and quitters never win” and “You can do one thing great, or many things poor”. But we often don’t have the will to actually listen to them. Katie Ledecky listened, and now she is an unstoppable force in the swimming world. She wasn’t born with a perfect stroke, but after all of her years of laser-focused work, her stroke is a close to perfect as the world has seen.

So what can we learn from her? She has no great secrets. She gives her all for the sport she loves. Instead of letting laziness distract her, she took the sport to new levels. She gives a realistic hope to aspiring athletes, as long as they work hard and have their mind pointed in one direction. It is not a question of who is born with a certain body type, as Ledecky herself has relatively small hands and feet herself. It is about how much you are willing to sacrifice for the gold.

So YOU could have done that, and YOU can still do that. To make your dream a reality, focus on one goal at a time, and work until you win.

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Kardashians
W Magazine

Whether you love them or hate them, it's undeniable the Kardashian/ Jenner family has built an enormous business empire. Ranging from apps, fashion lines, boutiques, beauty products, books, television shows, etc. this bunch has shown they are insane business moguls. Here are seven reasons why the Kardashian/ Jenner family should be applauded for their intelligent business tactics.

Keep Reading...Show less
friends
Photo by Elizeu Dias on Unsplash

If I have learned one thing in my lifetime, it is that friends are a privilege. No one is required to give you their company and yet there is some sort of shared connection that keeps you together. And from that friendship, you may even find yourself lucky enough to have a few more friends, thus forming a group. Here are just a few signs that prove your current friend group is the ultimate friend group.

Keep Reading...Show less
ross and monica
FanPop

When it comes to television, there’s very few sets of on-screen siblings that a lot of us can relate to. Only those who have grown up with siblings knows what it feels like to fight, prank, and love a sibling. Ross and Monica Geller were definitely overbearing and overshared some things through the series of "Friends," but they captured perfectly what real siblings feel in real life. Some of their antics were funny, some were a little weird but all of them are completely relatable to brothers and sisters everywhere.

Keep Reading...Show less
Lifestyle

11 Types Of Sorority Girls

Who really makes up your chapter...

2761
Sorority Girls
Owl Eyes Magazine

College is a great place to meet people, especially through Greek life. If you look closely at sororities, you'll quickly see there are many different types of girls you will meet.

1. The Legacy.

Her sister was a member, her mom was a member, all of her aunts were members, and her grandma was a member. She has been waiting her whole life to wear these letters and cried hysterically on bid day. Although she can act entitled at times, you can bet she is one of the most enthusiastic sisters.

Keep Reading...Show less
Lifestyle

10 Reasons Why Life Is Better In The Summertime

Winter blues got you down? Summer is just around the corner!

2364
coconut tree near shore within mountain range
Photo by Elizeu Dias on Unsplash

Every kid in college and/or high school dreams of summer the moment they walk through the door on the first day back in September. It becomes harder and harder to focus in classes and while doing assignments as the days get closer. The winter has been lagging, the days are short and dark, and no one is quite themselves due to lack of energy and sunlight. Let's face it: life is ten times better in the summertime.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments