Blogger: Mary Keeley
This year I’ve been watching the Olympic athletes from a different perspective. Physical ability aside, several attributes contribute to producing a medalist. These qualities are equally important for writers.
I like to hear about the athletes’ personal stories: how they got started, their dedication to their sport, and their family histories. Vastly different stories yet they all reveal common attributes that culminate in Olympic-level performance. Think about these and how you can apply them to your writing career.
Skill Level. This may seem obvious but should never be taken for granted. Gold medal athletes never rest on their laurels. They must have a love and desire to perpetually improve their technique, or they may find themselves not medaling at all four years from now. Likewise, the learning process in writing and in your career never ends, no matter how many books you have published. Without this love of learning, your writing and your career will grow stale.
Some Olympians demonstrate natural physical ability, but they haven’t reached peak skill level yet and don’t earn a medal. The same holds true for writers. Thinking of a great story or book concept might come easily to you. If so, you have an advantage and a future in writing. But you won’t go anywhere until you have the skills to create a publishable manuscript. Like athletes, even brilliant writers must still learn writing skills and be able to tell a great story or write on a topic in a reader-friendly tone and language.
Attitude. Athletes destined for greatness demonstrate humility and teachability. They are willing to submit to the hard work and long hours, constructive criticism of trainers, setbacks when injuries occur, time with and appreciation for family members who are also paying a price for their dream of gold. Yet these athletes never give up because they have their eye on the goal.
Writers need to have a humble, teachable attitude as well. During times of discouragement or when you receive rejections, check your attitude quickly. Although it’s a setback, choose to view it in a positive way toward improving your craft. If you didn’t receive constructive feedback with the rejection, reply to request it. You may or may not get it, but you won’t have the possibility if you don’t ask.
Also monitor your attitude if you are experiencing a bright season with a signed contract and a rosy-looking future. Never think you’ve arrived. There is no such thing. Olympians and writers in for the long haul have to maintain the humble, teachable attitude that helped them get to this point.
Perseverance. Most viewers aren’t familiar with many of the athletes’ names. It’s easy to assume they are participating because of unusual physical giftedness—that they are especially blessed. But the full picture is that most Olympians started taking lessons and training when they were children. It takes years of the daily grind of practice, discipline, and improvement to qualify—with no guarantees. But the love of the sport and their eyes fixed on the goal motivate them to keep on keeping on. The same is true for most writers.
As you watch the Olympic athletes, let their stories and achievements stir your heart with application to your writing life. Combine your love for writing, your God-given ability, and these traits with fresh resolve and motivation. That’s the Olympic spirit for writers.
I find myself holding my breath, not taking my eyes off the gymnasts on the balance beam or the swimmers in their trials, hoping each of them does their absolute best–while also hoping the U.S. team finishes just a wee bit better. I am an American, after all. The same loyalty applies to Books & Such agents for our clients. We are their coaches, business managers, career planners, and yes, cheerleaders.
Which of these attributes do you struggle with most? What other Olympiad traits could writers apply?
I would have to say the perseverance. Through struggles its easy to give up, but God keeps bringing me right back and allowing me to use my talents for His glory.
Sundi Jo, what a blessing to sense God’s encouragement.
I sometimes struggle with attitude towards myself. I berate myself for not accomplishing what I think I should sometimes, but, thankfully, gratitude for the opportunity and that spirit of perseverance revive my mentality. 🙂 In a way, I struggle with skill level, too, but I’m eager to continue learning.
Thanks for these thoughts, Mary. Olympic stories inspire.
Growth in the craft will be a lifetime activity. Caroline, thanks for sharing a good example of checking your attitude and correcting it quickly.
Sometimes, my eyes can leave the prize. My motivations can be wrong. I doubt. But if I can keep my eyes on Jesus, and remember that I write for Him, and let Him do with my writing what He will…I know everything will be alright, whatever that means.
Well stated, Lindsay. Along with that attitude fix your eyes on the goal and keep learning and growing.
Great post, Mary. I’ve been thinking on the similarities between Olympians and writers. Of the traits you mentioned, I think the one I’m working on as fast as I can is developing my skill level. With no writing background beyond journaling and a secret dream to write a book, I know I have lots to learn and hours of practice ahead of me.
One trait I’ve been thinking on this morning is believing in oneself. Or in my case, the calling God has placed on me to write this story. He gave it to me, not to someone else. When I become discouraged, I remember this, and press forward.
I read an article about how Gabby Douglas believed she could be good enough to train with the best, and I’m assuming go to the Olympics. Her mom gave her the freedom to pursue her dream. She believed in herself.
Sometimes the assurance that you were meant to tell a story is very personal between a writer and God. Jeanne, as you forge on with the hard work necessary to improve your skills and learn about the publishing industry, I’m sure you’ll discover how God wants to use your story.
What a fantastic post, Mary! I think sometimes we see the Olympics as an event, but for the athletes it is a lifestyle, a career. Writing is also a long term commitment.
I think my biggest challenge is self-doubt. I’m always striving to learn more, but am well aware of my own short comings. That huge dread once I hit send and fear someone else will believe it is a total mess.
My word for this year is “Believe”. God has shown me His faithfulness this year in giving me opportunities to believe in what He is doing in my writing and my heart.
Michelle, thanks for your encouraging comment. It’s so very human to resort to self-doubt when nothing is happening or when a writer’s proposal is rejected. But I can actually feel the conviction in your words when you refer to being sensitive to God’s leading and act in faith. It blesses you and honors him.
Focus. This is one element an Olympic athlete
can’t do without. I believe the same is true
for writers. It’s difficult for me to write anything if I can’t zero in on my work. It would be second rate at best.
Good point, Dale. Did it take you long to learn to focus consistently?
Thank you, I love these words of encouragement. I love the Olympics too, so much to be learned from the athletics. The storyteller in me also loves the personal looks they give us into their lives and training. You are hard pressed to find one of them that has not encountered challenges and moments when they wanted to give up and quit fighting.
I want that Olympic perseverance to keep moving forward in hope and faith, even when rejection and discouragement comes forth. I will keep praying for that everyday.
I agree, Lisa. These attributes of Olympians are valuable in every area of life. And praying is a great way to maintain a positive, persevering spirit.
Great post Mary…and I agree with adding believing in oneself, and the ability to focus as traits writers and Olympiads share.
Discipline, a characteristic similar to perseverance, but implying implementing a definite plan, reaps huge rewards.
I am working on persevering in disciplining myself to implement my writing plan! (LOL)
Happy Weekend! Joy and blessings!
Good point, Kate. Discipline does imply action. My best to you in persevering to disciplining to implementing!
🙂
I saw a post on facebook today with a picture of Gabby Douglas and something she said yesterday. Something along the lines of Giving glory to God. It’s a win-win. He gets the glory and I get the blessings. Very cool. I always try to keep a similar attitude but I am a selfish human being and too often lose that focus.
Perseverance and focus. Two things I’m not naturally good at.
Darby, that really is an important focus to keep in mind. I read about Gabby’s God-honoring quote too. And remembering who deserves the glory for our abilities and successes is a great way to maintain a healthy attitude.
Behind every Olympian is years of daily practice. As writers we need practice, too, by writing everyday.
You distilled the whole blog into two succinct, well-stated sentences. Thanks, Peter.
I think focus is an important aspect to consider. I haven’t seen any of the gymnists running track events, or basketball players in the swimming heats. Writers should focus on what they’re good at. If you love setting up mystery plots don’t focus your efforts on Amish romance. If novels call you don’t worry about crafting a poem.
Okay, so you can write in more than one genre by mixing certain aspects together. But, typically, a focus on one genre is the best approach.
Don’t wear a swim suit in the boxing ring. 😉 Just sayin’.
I remember my granddaughter as a 7-year-old, dripping wet on a chilly New Mexico morning, always ready to jump back in the pool. She is now the captain of the Stanford Women’s Diving Team in California.
One of her teammates won a Bronze Medal last week in London in the Men’s 3m synchronized diving and another Cassidy Krug missed Bronze by one dive in the women’s single diving competition.
I began learning attitude and determination from my granddaughter when she took her first steps in my living room. I will never forget the joy and wonder of it all on her shining little face. Her perseverence has made her the leader of a group of young athletes that never give up. Their Facebook motto now: See you in Rio in 2016.
When I struggle to reach my own long-held goals, I see that little person in my mind’s eye and listen to the pride in her voice today. This is where I find my inspiration.