Have you been as engrossed in the Winter Olympics as we have? From the magnificent opening ceremony to the incredible performances of the world’s best athletes it has been non-stop drama. I love the human interest stories that are as compelling as the actual events. The Bode Miller’s redemption story has been one of the most memorable for me.

Until September of 2009, American skier Bode Miller was indecisive about whether he would ever ski again much less compete in the 2010 Olympics. He had taken the summer off from training and at 32 years old contemplated retirement. In 2008, two years after the Turin Olympics debacle, he won 31 World Cup races and four world championship gold medals.

In September 2010 he made the announcement to return to the slopes and to the US Olympic team, knowing that he had limited time to get back into top shape. He knew his strength in skiing was the downhill and that the giant slalom was the area his training needed to focus on most if he was going to win multiple medals at Vancouver.

In the four months he had to prepare, he focused on only two areas: his physical fitness and slalom skiing. This is a technique that Olympic athletes often use called periodization. The methodology is as applicable in our pursuit of important business and personal goals as it is for athletes. The concept is that it is impossible to focus on multiple goals at the same time. That is the reason New Year’s resolutions fall by the wayside because a list of goals quickly overwhelms us. If we pick one or two goals to focus on for a three month period and put together a team to help and support us (a coach, mentor, and/or group etc.) we can achieve our most important and significant goals. Then we can take a break, relax and regroup before we choose the next focus. Consider Bode Miller’s Olympic approach to achieving your most important goals!!