This week at the Paris summer Olympic games, U.S. track star Noah Lyles won the gold medal in the men's 100 meters, adding to his 400-meter gold and earning the United States its first men's 100-meter gold in twenty years. His winning margin was 5 thousandths of a second, the closest-ever margin in this race in Olympic history. As Lyles was being interviewed coming off the track, he spoke of his efforts despite asthma and other challenges, and shared a question that allowed him to stay open to possibility: "Why not me? WHY NOT ME?" 

Coaches can tap in to Olympics inspiration when working with students. They can ask questions that help students connect their work toward their own long-term goals to the extended efforts of high-level athletes. They can share Olympic stories of adversity and persistence – the Brazilian gymnast who consistently walked two hours to the gym and two hours back comes to mind – and ask questions that help students consider what efforts they are willing to commit toward the quests that hold meaning for them. 

Many students fall into the trap of feeling that a learning goal or academic achievement is not for them. Take Noah Lyles' example and ask that student: "Why NOT you?" Expand on this powerful question with others:

• What makes you think this goal is not within reach?

• How might you address the obstacles you perceive are in your way?

• If you could imagine a clear path to this goal with no obstacles, how would you move forward?

• What effort would make you feel you deserve to earn this goal? How can you begin that effort today?

• Who in your life is your Noah Lyles who can inspire you? 

Build your own Olympic-style goals as a coach with LifeBound's 3-Day Training on September 6, 13, and 20. Go for the Gold with the LifeBound Certification Fall Course starting the last Tuesday of September, as long as you have completed the basic coaching course sometime in the last year.

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September 27

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