What the Olympics Can Teach Your Kids About Discipline

What do the Olympics mean to you?

If you would have asked me the same question years ago, I’d say I’m not sure. Ice skating?

On a serious note, I always knew that Olympic athletes worked hard, they cried whether they won or lost the games because just being “there” was a victory in itself.

Others were just hard on themselves, feeling the defeat, taking it to heart and using it as fuel to make sure they came back stronger next time, if they could.

I was always amazed at how someone could work so hard every. single. day. to be a part of something that lasts only a few weeks and comes around every four years. I didn’t get it, but it was intriguing and extremely admirable. Still is.

This year, I was disappointed that I missed the opening ceremony of the 2018 Winter Olympic Games. Between you and me, I wanted to enjoy it with my family on my birthday! Yup, the opening ceremony landed on my birthday.

But they had zero interest.

It made me even more disappointed. Sure the kids were playing on their bikes inside grandma and grandpa’s house, something that would never fly when I was growing up, but that’s beside the point.

An event that comes around every four years means that there are going to be some rare moments we might not want to miss. Plus, people who work so hard to make it to the Olympics deserve a audience in my opinion.

No, I didn’t ask for them to live every waking moment training, but it’s worth a peak to see how they perform, and make sure their hard work paid off.

It got me thinking, the Olympics is so much more than just a series of games. Even marketing has done a great job of reminding us about that. Just watch a P&G commercial without a tissue box. I dare you!

If you ask me about the Olympics now?

The Olympics are about hard work, dedication, dreams, sacrifice and discipline. Simple values taken to the extreme, to a whole other level with these gifted and talented athletes. Do not mess with them, or their mothers!

Reading more articles, I uncovered another layer of the Olympics. And that’s world peace. I mean, come on, this game brings together people from ALL over the world to compete, gather and even build camaraderie. Every color, every race, every shape, size, disability or not. Nothing is stopping these amazing and determined human beings.

Though I haven’t watched a single game, I know the Olympics is an amazing experience. Perhaps one day I’ll experience it live.

Photographer, Chang Lee was interviewed by The New York Times (he’s also a stand out photographer for them) and shared his beautiful story about how he returned to his home country.

I can only imagine how emotional he felt as he photographed a team of women hockey players with members from both North and South Korea. Most of us don’t need to be a history major to know it’s not a common occurrence to see the North and South getting together for a cup of tea, let alone a game of hockey. But this is the Olympics where anything can happen.

Lee goes on to talk about his experience as am Olympic photographer and says,

“Planning and patience may be the foundation, but once the event begins, instinct takes over. There is a purely meditative aspect to being a great sports photographer and a feeling of being solely in the moment. Anticipation is critical for capturing the moments that happen so fast.

It’s really being able to see what’s going to happen before it happens,”

Even as a photographer covering the games, there’s so much dedication, preparation and even meditation.

So, what can the Olympics teach our kids about discipline?

I looked up the word, and it just seems so nasty. I originally kept thinking, “my kids could use some discipline and learn it from the Olympians doing their thing on TV!”

I think I’m still right…but there’s more.

The Merriam-Webster definition of discipline mentioned things like, “control gained by enforcing obedience or order,” and “orderly or prescribed conduct or pattern of behavior,” punishment, and my personal favorite, self control.

Honestly, I want my kids to be disciplined, but I also want them to have fun and be inspired. When I think of discipline I do think of self-control, but I also think of respect. I feel like we need to control and train ourselves to want to be the best in all we do.

So here are some ways I think we can ALL learn discipline from the Olympics.

Discipline is a choice. Although the definition disagrees, despite the act of being forced to do something, it’s still a choice. You don’t get to the Olympics with a bad attitude, you need to have the will and the drive. You need to decide that this is what you want, because it’s all you’re going to think about until you get it.

Discipline is something we do. Discipline is what we do. It’s the practice of waking up early to get ready for school, to do our homework on time and with our best foot forward. It’s doing going to dance class when everyone is out playing, or taking the extra lap around the block just so you can push yourself a little harder. You might win the race by a split second because you took the time to do a little extra work.

Discipline takes time. Discipline doesn’t happen over night, it takes time and a lot of patience. But it always pays off. Olympians train for years on end, day in and day out before they see their first game.

Discipline is good for the mind, body and spirit. Having self-control means you can be in control of all of yourself – mind, body, spirit. You make sound decisions. Your body is healthy and strong. Your spirit is lifted and your actions inspire others. Your discipline can be contagious and the act of you bettering yourself can cause a ripple effect of those around you.

Discipline builds confidence and leads you steadily to the desires of your heart. Practice makes progress. If you practice enough, you will be the greatest at what you do. Every little discipline, every step you take leads you closer to your dreams and when you arrive it’s like a sweet surprise. You knew you’d always get there, even though the journey was rough, but you learned some lessons that made you wise along the way. Discipline will set you apart.

Discipline is never giving up.  Olympian athletes know to never give up. They must keep going, even if they stumble or fall. Even if you’re the last one standing. You finish with pride.

Derek Redmond, was a champion runner. He tore his hamstring during the 400 meter race in Barcelona, and although he was disqualified, he still made it to the finish line with the help of his father making an epic Olympic moment. Even though he’s a retired athlete he still continues to inspire others as a speaker and trainer. He says,

“To be a true champion you need to be physically strong but even more importantly you need to be mentally strong.”

There are hundreds of stories just like Redmond. Let’s remind ourselves and our children that the Olympics much more than a bunch of games. It’s filled with wisdom and life lessons from disciplined athletes, photographers, event planners, kids and even parents.

As finish writing this, I realize I can learn a thing or two from the Olympics…not just my kids. 

So tell me, what do the Olympics mean to you, and what have they taught you?