I saw an awesome meme today that said, "I haven't seen one medal given, yet, in the Olympics for participation." All I could think was "YES YES YES!" If there was EVER a great example of hard work paying off, the Olympics is it. If there's EVER a doubt in your heart that it's better to teach kids to work their asses off in order to achieve greatness, watch the medal ceremony. My God, to see these athletes who have put years, often a decade or more, into rigorous workouts, special diets, limiting time off with friends and so much sacrifice, win something incredible that they deserve so much is amazing.
We must stop teaching our kids that mediocrity is a goal. Mediocrity is a means to an end and that end is greatness. We cannot keep awarding mediocrity in the same way that we award greatness. Greatness requires work, sacrifice and concentration. Giving a child a different colored medal because they participated is still giving them a medal so stop it...no seriously stop it.
Teach your kids that you love them right where they're at but you love them too much to not continue to help them achieve greatness. Maybe that greatness is at a sport or maybe it's writing or art or video game design or something else. Maybe that greatness is simply having the courage to overcome incredible shyness and join a new club and make friends. Greatness comes in many forms.
When they achieve THAT greatness, it's time to start stretching for the next great goal. Maybe it's in the same line of thinking, maybe another. Nevertheless, greatness is something that must be worked for and greatness is what we should award.
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