How Practice Gets You an Olympic Medal (Or At Least Close Enough!)

Whether you're mastering the pommel horse or trying to master the art of networking, everything takes practice. It's a universal truth. But here's the kicker: practice isn't just about repeating the same thing over and over again; it's about learning, adapting, and sometimes, looking a little ridiculous in the process.

Take it from Stephen Nedoroscik, a guy who didn’t just wake up one morning and decide to become a world champion on the pommel horse. No, it took him years of relentless practice, bruises (both ego and physical), and probably some moments he'd rather not see on film.

That dedication made him the first American to win a world championship in this event and earn two Olympic medals in 2024. Not too shabby, right?

What can we learn from Stephen’s journey? Well, for starters:

1. Be Kind to Yourself

In the quest for greatness, whether it’s on a pommel horse or in a boardroom, cut yourself some slack. Perfection doesn’t happen overnight—or even over many nights. It’s okay to stumble (sometimes literally). The important part is to keep going. Remember, not everyone is brave enough to have their slip-ups caught on camera for the world to see.

2. Find Your People

Just like Stephen had his coaches and teammates, you need a support system. Find people who believe in you, who cheer you on, and who aren't afraid to point out when your form needs a little tweaking.

3. Learn from the Best

I recently came across an Instagram reel where Stephen Nedoroscik, a world champion and Olympic medalist on the pommel horse, was giving a lesson—not to another gymnast, but to his Dancing with the Stars dance coach. Here’s the thing: even as a master of his own craft, Stephen knows there's always something to learn. He was patient, encouraging, and gave detailed, practical advice on how to tackle the pommel horse—a skill he's perfected over years.

It’s a great reminder that no matter how much of an expert you are in one area, there's always room to learn from others who are masters in their own discipline. Stephen is teaching his coach about gymnastics, and soon, she’ll be teaching him the art of dance. It's a two-way street of growth and learning.

So, whether you're preparing for your next Olympic tryout or just trying to get through a Monday morning meeting, remember that practice, patience, learning from others, and a bit of humor go a long way.

Who knows? With the right mindset and a dash of persistence, you might just find yourself standing on a podium—metaphorically or literally.

Keep pushing forward, anything is possible with a bit of grit, a solid game plan, and the willingness to face the challenge head-on.

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Diane Darling is an author, speaker, and entrepreneur. See Diane in action and learn more about her topics here. McGraw-Hill published her books, The Networking Survival Guide and Networking for Career Success, now in 9 languages. She published, "She Said It: A collection of quotes by remarkable women."

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