Work Ethic

This afternoon, a friend shared a YouTube link featuring an interview with Michael Phelps. In the short clip, Micheal Phelps, one of the greatest swimmers of all time, shares details about what gave him the edge over his competitors. I am sharing a transcript of what he says.

I had a dream like everyone else. I wanted to be the Best.

I went through a span of 5 to 6 years where I didn’t miss a single day of training. I trained on all the 365 days of the year. That made me different. I got 52 days extra each year than anyone else had. And in the sport of swimming, if you miss one day, it takes two days to get back to where you were. Everyone else was taking a step back on Sunday when they were not swimming, and I was taking that one step Forward.

There is a compelling message here. We think achievers of any sort come with some extraordinary talents that make them different. However, reality often reveals a different story. What truly distinguishes them is their exceptional work ethic. They embody discipline, consistency, and perseverance in their actions.

This lesson holds true for all of us. A great work ethic has the power to transform ordinary talent into extraordinary ability.