12.17 Katarina Witt: Work Hard, Have Fun

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“You have to fight to get what you want, but it’s also important to enjoy what you do.” - Katarina Witt

Do you enjoy the chase?

German figure skater Katarina Witt was a 2-time Olympic gold medalist and 4-time world champion nicknamed the Queen of Ice. She once said, “You have to fight to get what you want, but it’s also important to enjoy what you do.”

Work hard, have fun is a saying I use a lot as a coach. You have to work harder than you know if you want to become a champion, but it’s important to have fun and enjoy the journey too.

What does that mean?

Success requires effort, discipline, and perseverance. Champions don’t happen by chance; they push through challenges, setbacks, and hard work. While working hard, you shouldn’t lose the joy of the process. Loving the journey keeps you motivated, prevents burnout, and makes the hard work meaningful.

You reach your goals faster and sustain success longer when you balance relentless effort with genuine enjoyment.

Question of the Day: How do you make your hard work enjoyable?

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