Elite Performance

WHAT IS ELITE ?

Elite is taken originally from the Latin, eligere, “to elect”. In sociology as in general usage, the élite is a relatively small dominant group within a large society, which enjoys a privileged status envied by individuals of lower social status.

The position of an elite at the top of the social strata almost invariably puts it in a position of leadership and often subjects the holders of elite status to pressure to maintain their position as part of the elite. Social Elitists, Religious, Linguistic, Educational, Financial Military and sporting elite are some of the more common in society.

Many view elite performance as a process reserved for that of Olympic athletes and world champions. The ability to motivate, concentrate , manage, optimize and visualize oneself to capitalize on the task at hand.

Think Again : It is those same principles, that get each and every one of us get up and out of bed in the morning. We carry out our exercise routines, look after our children, go to work every day, endure loss or suffering, eat a balanced diet and take sufficient time out as not to burn out, making us all elite in our own lunch boxes.

What places one truly into elite status is the ability to continually embrace the focus until one has fully achieved the goal at hand, and envied by the masses for it. When this status is achieved, they are still to be able to create the balance in life to maintain a level head, stability and maturity to withstanding public scrutiny while continuing to inspire the masses.

So what has changed over the years?

Privileges still exist, more so now than ever before, what is elite in one school, university, club, state or country may not be in another, but as sporting scouts scour the remains of a poverty stricken world in search of another talented Kassin Ouma, Pele, Maradona, Ronaldo or Mike Tyson, more and more are chasing that dream.

Everyone now believes it is within their own reach or their children’s reach, which ultimately means greater competition, more risks taken, greater expenses and a much tougher smarter mentality is required to reach that pinnacle of elite performance and ultimate success.

refer to  the Australian Governments 2012’s version of “model the responsibilities of an elite athlete” if serious about taking things to the next level

Herb Elliott – Born 1938 :

“It is the inspiration of the Olympic Games that drives people not only to compete but to improve, and to bring lasting spiritual and moral benefits to the athlete and inspiration to those lucky enough to witness the athletic dedication.”

Pele – Born 1940 :

“Success is no accident. It is hard work, perseverance, learning, studying, sacrifice and most of all, love of what you are doing or learning to do, the more difficult the victory, the greater the happiness of winning”

Muhammad Ali – Born 1940 :

“Impossible is just a word thrown around by small men who find it easier to live in the world they’ve been given than to explore the power they have to change it. Impossible is not a fact. It’s an opinion. Impossible is potential. Impossible is temporary. Impossible is nothing.”

Sebastian Coe – Born 1956 :

“I started track and field when I was 12 and didn’t get to an Olympic Games until I was nearly 23. By any stretch of the imagination that’s a very long apprenticeship”

Michael Jordon – Born 1963 :

“To be successful you have to be selfish, or else you never achieve. And once you get to your highest level, then you have to be unselfish. Stay reachable. Stay in Touch Don’t Isolate”

Tiger Woods – Born 1975 :

“People don’t understand that when I grew up, I was never the most talented. I was never the biggest. I was never the fastest. I certainly was never the strongest. The only thing I had was my work ethic, and that’s been what has gotten me this far”

Anderson Silva – Born 1975 :

“Behind every champion is a team that prepared him to become that champion”

Kerri Lee Walsh Jennings – Born 1978 :

“I think the No. 1 thing that helps me get through every single day is the support of my friends and my family”

Serena Williams – Born 1981 :

“I’ve had to learn to fight all my life – got to learn to keep smiling. If you smile things will work out”

Roger Federer – Born 1981 :

“What I think I’ve been able to do well over the years is play with pain, play with problems, play in all sorts of conditions”

Sally Pearson – Born 1986 :

“When it becomes hard for me not to eat bad food, I try to think about what I have to do and what is ahead of me and what I want to achieve”

Conor McGregor – Born 1988 :

“There’s no talent here, this is hard work. This is obsession, Talent Does not exist, we are all equals as human beings. You could be anyone if you put in the time. You will reach the top, and that’s that. I am not talented, I am obsessed”

Piriformas – Born 8 Million Years Ago :

“Before Physical Therapy I was a pain in the Butt”

TODAY : Despite all of these non material secret ingredients embedded deep within an athletes or professionals mind, the distractions of the digital era, when managed correctly can also be the key to your network, ultimately becoming imperative for success.

To use the words of one of the greatest sporting ambassadors of all time.

Usain Bolt – Born 1986 :

“Dreams are free. Goals have a cost. While you can daydreams for free, goals don’t come without a price. Time, Effort, Sacrifice and Sweat. How will you pay for your goals”

Stay tuned as we go deeper into how to reach the top in your chosen sport ! ”

And Remember!

” All the best things in life are those yet to come”