Going for Gold
Like many people, I've been watching a lot of television the last two weeks, soaking in as many Olympic events as I can. I always get a little emotional watching the Games. The athletes competing there have worked so hard to get to where they are-we are truly watching their dreams come true. It's moving to see someone excel to near perfection, to be the best at what they do. Many athletes have worked at perfecting their sport since they were small children, and that kind of dedication is something we don't see every day.
It's inspiring. Imagine learning everything you possibly can about something-whether it's a swimming technique or how to stain and read tissue slides-and practicing it until you are among the very best. It makes me want to read more, write better, hike longer. We can all be better at something. I don't want to be an Olympic athlete, but I can go to the gym more often. You may not need to revolutionize laboratory medicine, but you can be the best manager you can be by continuing to educate yourself and communicate with your staff.
We can choose to "go for the gold" in a number of ways in daily life. It's all too easy to fall into a routine of habitual mediocrity, but watching other people succeed in their goals serves as a motivation to push ourselves toward our own goals.
How will you go for the gold in the coming months?