7.7 Katie Ledecky: Win Your Race

 

“You don't have to win the race. You just need to win your race. And winning your race means falling in love with the process. Fall in love with the process, not the podium.” - Katie Ledecky

Which do you love most: The game or the trophies?

Sports are driven by outcomes — did you win, and how well did you play — but when you focus too much on the result, you can lose the joy of the journey and overlook the small details that lead to real growth.

Having won 14 Olympic medals, Katie Ledecky is the most decorated swimmer in U.S. Olympic history. In a commencement speech she gave at her Alma mater, Stanford, Katie said, “You don't have to win the race. You just need to win your race. And winning your race means falling in love with the process. Fall in love with the process, not the podium.”

External victories — like being the best, scoring all the points, and finishing first — are what we all want, but they aren’t the only definition of success. True success is about being your best, consistently and intentionally while overcoming all the challenges and obstacles in your way.

And your real competition is with yourself: Your discipline, effort, mindset, and growth, and progress happens when you commit to the daily work, not just the end result. It’s about showing up, putting in the effort, and growing from the grind.

Focus on your own growth and effort, not just outcomes, and find joy in the process of becoming great — because that’s where the real win is.

Question of the Day: What does “winning your race” look like in your life right now — and how can you shift your focus from the outcome to the process?