The Difference between Gold and Silver
Olympic champion swimmer Michael Phelps.
Phelps admitted that his winning margin of one-hundredth of a second was almost impossible to see but it was because of ONE small difference, on the final stroke Cavic lifted his head up just slightly which “acted as a mini speed bump and I kept my head down streamlined”. Small stuff matters a lot.
It’s important to keep in mind that high achievers in every vocation turn over all stones, understanding and exploiting to their benefit the fact that the critical difference between merely acceptable versus excellent results lies in the smallest of details.
They acknowledge and accept that the difference between Gold and Silver at the Olympics can be traced to the tiniest of details in training or execution; as a result, they make everything count.
6 Responses to “The Difference between Gold and Silver”
Jamaal Thomas June 9th, 2009 at 6:48 am
Wow! This really brings things into perspective. The difference between winning and losing is often so small that if you do one thing slightly different you can drastically change your result. To your point…Everything Counts!
Thanks for this Gary!
Gary Ryan Blair June 10th, 2009 at 5:12 am
Thanks Jamaal for your generous comment…..
One of the most impressive characteristics of all high achievers is their relentless commitment to excellence and the meticulous attention to details associated with that journey.
henry duke tamale September 18th, 2009 at 7:58 am
wow! wow! that is so incredible! thanks a lot for this post, i am sharing it with my friends. you know, paying attention to detail is always key. It is usually the small things that we leave out that actually turn out to be the difference makers.
Mark Jacobson October 11th, 2009 at 4:00 pm
Gary:
Great lesson about small things making a big difference. To be more specific, it relates nicely to your “Alpha to Omega” message in “Start Fast Finish Strong”. If you look at one of the pictures of the Phelps finish on your website, the pool wall has an Omega symbol (presumably for the watch maker). Phelps is Finishing Strong and reaching his Omega Goal of a Gold Medal!
Mark Jacobson
David February 7th, 2010 at 4:11 pm
I agree with completely Gary. Too often, we not only overlook/ignored smaller details and pay attention to the big events of life. I will use something we can all relate to; marriage. The statistics show a 60%+ divorce rate. As a consequence, we assume something “big” must have happened to destroy a marriage.
However, it’s the little, daily occurrences that erode or eat away at relationships from the inside. The small, sharp words; the disappointing glares; the days/weeks without a tender touch. This is what destroys marriages. The “big issues” are only the aftermath.
The converse of this is also true. Wonderful marriages are build through years of sacrifice, Agape Love, and putting someone else first. “Don’t Sweat the Small Stuff” does not promote this kind of attitude.
Under this “motto,” that little comment to you say to your wife is not important! That harsh/demeaning word to your daughter is no big deal! But this small stuff is exactly what crushes the heart of a little girl. It is exactly the hurt a wife carries in her heart for years to come.
Do Sweat The Small Stuff. Just the opposite! The small stuff is daily practice for how you will respond when the big stuff comes!!
David L.
Amado Villaneuva February 20th, 2010 at 4:38 pm
I just finished your book Everything Counts: Wow outstanding–I loved it!