It takes time to create excellence. If it could be done quickly, more people would do it.
– John Wooden
I discussed Coach John Wooden a bit last week. Coach Wooden’s teachings have inspired athletes throughout the world. If you’re not familiar with John Wooden, here’s the link to Coach Wooden’s official website and a YouTube tribute to Coach Wooden: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s1D8wYhPrVg&feature=related
John Wooden’s teachings are as relevant to figure skaters as they are to basketball players. Wooden teaches that patience is essential for success of any kind.
In our fast-paced society, it’s too easy to move on to something else when things get tough. Striving for excellence in figure skating is a good test of an athlete’s patience and ability to persevere.
In figure skating, it takes years to reach the senior level. Pairs and dance teams take years to become their strongest. Ice dance team Tessa Virtue and Scott Moir were together 13 years before becoming the 2010 Olympic and World champions. Meryl Davis and Charlie White were together 13 years before winning the silver medal at the 2010 Olympics and Worlds. 2010 Olympic pairs champions Shen Xue and Zhao Hongbo were together 18 years before winning the Olympic gold medal.
The maxim “Competitive skating is a marathon, not a sprint” is all too true.
Coach Wooden says:
Competitive greatness requires patience. Excellence requires patience. Most of all, success requires patience.
How has the need for patience affected you and/or your skater?
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I love this article! It reminds me of when I was the sports awards presenter and speaker at Thomas Rotherham College. I spoke about John Wooden and how his teaching relates to figure skating. I think patience is something we need to practice every day.
Thanks, Chrissy! I loved our discussions of the book Wooden: A Lifetime of Observations and Reflections on and Off the Court when you were preparing for your speech. That was a great speech!