"Put On Your Legs. That's The Last I Want To Hear About It" - How To Overcome In The Words Of Olympian Oscar Pistorius

The story of Olympian Oscar Pistorius inspired me from the moment I heard it. There is just something about overcoming the challenges of life in the face of all of those who say it could never be done.

Every day one of his parents would tell him, “Put on your legs. That’s the last I want to hear about it.” They said the same to his brother about his shoes. It just became normal.

No excuses. No whining. Normal.

As if his parents said, “Strap on your resources and work with what you have. No complaints. Get it done.”

Dubbed ‘The Fastest Man On No Legs’, Oscar Pistorius challenged the idea that his disability could keep him from chasing his dreams. He kept trying new things and pushing the limits. Oscar refused to believe he couldn’t do anything his brother did.

Oscar has broken world records and his own world record 26 times on the track. A champion who never believed in the impossible, but in making the impossible attainable.

In London’s Olympics Oscar Pistorius qualified for the semifinals in the 400 meter race. He didn’t get a medal. But if you asked him I’m pretty sure he’d tell you, “I didn’t get a medal…YET.”

As writers we can learn a lot from Oscar Pistorius. Never give up. Never doubt what you can do. Never settle for what others tell you can be achieved. Make no excuses. Strap on your resources and work with what you have. Get it done.

If we believe our weaknesses can hold us back, they will. If we speak as though we are unable to achieve, we won’t. If we allow others to determine what we are capable of, they will sell us short.

How do you think about your shortcomings as a writer? Do you say you are terrible at one particular thing? Do you let that slow you down?

Take a tip from Oscar Pistorius today. “Put on your legs. That’s the last I want to hear about it.”

 

 

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