Give it your Best!
As club leaders and officers prepare to start a new year of leadership of respective clubs, I am reminded about the experience of gymnast, Cathy Rigby. Cathy trained for the 1964 Olympics in Rome with a desire to win a gold medal for her country, the USA. She made many sacrifices. She gave up parties, hanging out with friends, vacations, and those things many teenagers do in their spare time.
Her parents also made sacrifices in their life styles and in their finances to support her specialized training. Cathy entered those games the favorite and was expected to win the gold in her events.
But Cathy did not win Gold. She felt she gave it her best, but that day, someone was a bit better. After the event, Cathy was crushed. She wept almost uncontrollably. She was so embarrassed that she wanted to hide somewhere. After the event, she made her way to her mother seated in the VIP section of the stands. Her face and eyes were puffed from crying.
Cathy felt she had let everyone down - her parents, coaches, Country, teammates and herself. Her mom simply put her arms around her and Cathy says she told her something that was so profound that it has been an inspiration to her well into her adult life. Her mother said, “Cathy, doing your best is more important than being the best”.
From Cathy, leaders can learn a valuable lesson. You have been elected to lead. You have accepted that challenge and responsibility your club has entrusted to you. You may not be the best leader, but you can truly give it your best. Leaders who honestly give their best can look in the mirror and be satisfied at what they see. You owe it to your club, your community and the children of the world to do your best!
Sylvester Neal