GO FOR GOLD

I was an athlete once. I was quite successful too. I won a couple of county titles, one was even in an age-group above mine. 100 meters Individual Medley, (25 meter short course championships). Leighton Buzzard, England. I was nearly 14 years old. I had qualified at national level in 100 meters breaststroke. If I had been able to continue I may have gone all the way and qualified for the Olympics. But my knees had other Ideas.

I was told, by my blind physiotherapist, that if I continued to train and compete at my current level (I was training up to 4 hours a day and competing in several events most weekends), I would be in a wheelchair by the time I was twenty. After 6 years of my young life pursuing my Olympic dream, that was that. I didn't achieve my dream. But I did learn many invaluable skills and lessons that continue to serve me well, and will for the rest of my life.

Being a successful athlete takes natural talent, a single minded determination, a solid self-belief system and gut-wrenching hard work, among other things. If you're prepared to do THE HARD YARDS then you have what it takes to achieve your dream. Now, don't get me wrong, if you are tone-deaf then you will not be the next Lady Gaga, no matter how hard you try, FACT. But, if you use your strengths, skillsets, and God given gifts, and work like an athlete at your chosen thing, then you can be successful.

I was 49 years old when I realised my thing. I have applied myself, just as I had done in pursuit of Olympic gold, to many other things over the years, especially to being a wife and mother. And loved, with passion, all that encompassed them. I dabbled in many things and was often successful. But nothing stuck. And that's okay.

Imposter Syndrome is rife in peoples personal and professional lives. And, it is alive and kicking within the writing community. I truly believe that if you, train like an athlete, work at your chosen thing, and apply everything you have in your toolkit, then you are what you believe yourself to be. I am a writer. Not an imposter, and what I am aiming for is not ridiculous or unreachable.

Now, I hear all you doubters in the cheap seats with your "But what if". It's true, and quite natural to have doubts. And, remember I had a what if scenario come true, dodgy knees. But at the very least, what if you never try? The absolute certainty of that road well trodden is you achieve NOTHING!

So, now I have finally found my thing, my calling, I am going to train like athlete, and

GO FOR GOLD.

Share with me — Have you had a similar journey or experience. What's your thing? Please use the comments section below this image of Discobolus of Myron Discus Thrower Statue