ICE HOCKEY
This blog continues our journey through Olympic-land. In addition to the events listed previously, one of the most popular is ice hockey. It has generated a fierce following ever since the famous U.S victory over the former Soviet Union in 1980 in Lake Placid, home to 30-foot-long, man-eating crocodiles. In fact, it (the hockey game, not the crocs) led to the movie featuring the story of the U.S. coach Herb Brooks--Miracle on 34th Street. (Olympic Sidebar:You may not know this, but although many countries have their own ice hockey team, in recent decades their athletes actually train in Frostbite Falls, MN, home of Rocky and Bullwinkle. I was as shocked to hear this as you are right now. Try to deal. End of R & B Sidebar.)
THE MEDAL ROUND
I am always on the edge of my La-Z-Guy lounge chair seat for the timed events, such as speed skating, ski races, luge, bobsleigh, and curling with crocs. I am still amazed at the differences among the 3 medalists in these events. Those differences are usually fractions of a second, rounded to 6 decimal points, which occasionally are so close that they can only be decided for the men’s events by a paternity test.
PROFESSIONAL MOTTO
My Olympic mindset prompted me years ago to adopt the professional motto: “GO FOR THE BRONZE!” It’s self-deprecating, but mildly amusing. It takes the pressure off of always striving to be the best. What’s so bad about mediocrity? Should I bite my keyboard? Of course, in practice, that couldn’t be further from the truth.
WHAT’S YOUR STANDARD?
So what medal do you have in your cross-hairs as you tackle a professional task, such as preparing for class, a publication, a conference presentation, a grant proposal, chairing a committee, or your administrative step toward world domination? Where do you draw the line to set your standard of performance? Consider that line in everything you do. Your reputation and integrity are also on that line.
ARE YOU IN CONDITION?
Stay in shape. Ya never know—when someone is disqualified in any Olympic event, you may get the call. Keep your mobile phone charged. See my conditioning for the men’s downhill in the link below:
http://sendables.jibjab.com/view/DozP2W50O6NxV9VP
COPYRIGHT © 2010 Ronald A. Berk, LLC
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