The Difference Between Gold and Silver
Olympic champion swimmer Michael Phelps.
The other night I was watching a 60 Minutes interview with Olympic Champion Michael Phelps. During the interview, the host Anderson Cooper showed pictures of Phelps winning the 100-meter butterfly final at the Water Cube in Beijing by ONE-HUNDREDTH of a second over Serbia’s Milorad Cavic.
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!
WHAT TO DO NOW? Share your own two cents or personal story on the importance of small details that led to a big success.
Tags: Everything Counts, Gary Ryan Blair, Michael Phelps, Paying Attention to Details
17 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!
sully nanji March 14th, 2011 at 12:57 am
You are great Gary! The difference between winning and losing – amazing! Superb!
pushkar June 5th, 2011 at 10:53 am
this is one inspiring comment.
i have been dealing in ” big issues” , but not sweating enough the small stuff..
a wake up call for me ! thanks for the video.
christina lee June 5th, 2011 at 11:09 am
“The small stuff is daily practice for how you will respond when the big stuff comes” from above is certainly my approach to things. Kaizen is a
great ally in moving forward and embraces this approach.
Joao Trindade June 5th, 2011 at 11:34 am
Thank you, Gary.
Very often we heard of/about something/someone having a “competitive edge” and/or “wining by a whisker”. Although technical knowledge, being “wide awake”, be-on-time, etc. are so important, having the right attitude and the right frame of mind are more important as the world is getting more and more competitive in every aspect. Where in the past experience (age) was an advantage, today that’s detrimental….
Ligia M. Houben June 5th, 2011 at 12:56 pm
Gary,
Wonderful message. This attitude of “Everything Counts” should be applied to all our dimensions, including as David L. said, to our personal relationships because…things do no happen “suddenly.”
I am in Nicaragua and brought your book “Everything Counts” to read it on the plane. I love it!
I wish you a beautiful day,
Ligia/11
Raymond Merritt June 5th, 2011 at 2:22 pm
Great stuff Gary. It reminds me of Jeff Olson’s book the ‘Slight Edge’. I appreciate all that you do. Your 100 Day Challenge and programs are awesome. I am so glad Brian Tracy recommended your program to me. What a bargain!! I’ve seen nothing even close. There is no way I would leave your program. Keep up the great work!!
Atiyya KHan June 5th, 2011 at 2:33 pm
A wonderful demonstration of your quote in action! Thanks a lot for sharing.
Parijat June 5th, 2011 at 4:14 pm
My question is, why couldn’t they share in the medal, they are both champions, they both worked that hard, they both achieved. That the stopwatch clocked 100th of a second is not enough of a margin to let one of them loose. It’s everyone watching that wanted a winner….
Michael Roman June 5th, 2011 at 8:42 pm
Thank you Gary as this is a brilliant example of your principles, in action. Most inspiring!
Michael
Dave June 6th, 2011 at 7:10 am
Wow, hard to believe that a slight tip of the head could mean that much.
Attention to detail has not been my strong suit in the past but I have been picking it up since starting the 100 day challenge.
This clip certainly shows why it is important to sweat it all!
solace August 20th, 2011 at 8:50 pm
Wonderful !!! so true . I am happily surprised and holding a great respect for Gary n David . Its like David has given words and validation to my thoughts , my experiences, my understanding regarding the relations. It feels very nice when our thoughts synchronize with someone else too.