We have just finished with the 2008 Summer Olympics. For me it is always fascinating to see people reach for greatness and obtain it. There are those who achieve great things and others who fall short. Each competitor trains, struggles and performs to the best of their ability. It doesn’t matter what country they come from, they are all looking for one thing – Olympic gold.

When it comes to our own lives, we all need to stop and ask, “What is our own personal ‘Olympic Gold’?” What is it we are striving our best to do? Does it involve our families, work or personal interests? Are we working towards something that will bring us more happiness and success? What are we willing to sacrifice to obtain our own desires?

Whatever you desire to obtain, the more important question is, “What are you doing to obtain your ‘Olympic Gold’?” Everyone wants to have greater happiness and achievement in their lives. The problem is that few people actually set out to obtain them. It is very easy to wish for better things to happen, but much more difficult to set out a plan to obtain them.

I would suggest that everyone take one item in their life that they really want to obtain and write it down. Once you have your ‘Olympic gold’ written down, develop a plan to obtain that thing. If you have a goal and a plan, it becomes much easier to find those little patterns in your life that can be changed to reach those dreams. Michael Phelps, the greatest Olympian of all time, has his goals for each race written down on a piece of paper. He was the only one who saw it, but he looked at it every day to remind himself of what he wanted to obtain. For him and everyone else, a written goal and plan to get there is a great way to start.  EL

Daren Olsen is the editor for El Lechero and can be reached at (208) 324-7513 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it