3 Important Life Lessons as Learned from the Story of Derek Redmond

Hi Everyone! I'd like to share with you the story of Derek Redmond. Derek was known as one of Britain's greatest ever 400 m athletes. He was a record-breaker in 1992, a silver-medalist in 1985, and a gold-medalist in 4×400 m in 1991. But where him and his dad will be forever remembered was during the semi-finals of the Olympic Games in Barcelona in 1992. Take a look at the video below! The scene was truly emotional and painful but you can't help but still get the moral in his story.

1. Run as to Win the Race
Derek joined the Olympic Games to win. I believe he was there not just for the sake of experience. Anybody who trains to qualify in the Olympic Games has one goal in mind: To go for the gold! Nobody works hard, trains hard, goes through such a rigid discipline, just to settle for the silver or bronze. Every athlete's goal is to aim for the best! To be the winner.

The scripture in I Corinthians 9:24 says ”Do you not know that those who run a race all run, but only one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may win”.

Our life is a very long and rough race. We are compared to athletes and the Apostle Paul in this scripture encourages us to run as to win. It simply means that we should go on in life with goals and excellence in mind and not just wander off, going with the flow.

It's essential to have dreams and goals. The Bible says that people without vision perish. I would like to paraphrase it as people who dare not dream is only existing but not really living. These kind of people often get stuck in a rut.

If you're a business owner, conduct your business as if you're the top player in your industry! That's running the race as to win!

If you're a network marketer, recruit people as if you're the top recruiter in your network! That's running the race as to win!

If you're employed, do your job as if you're the best employee in your company! That's running the race as to win!

The key is whatever you're doing or whatever you are called to do, give it your best! Give it your all!

2. Don't Give Up
At 250 meters from the finish line, Derek Redmond tore his hamstring. He stopped and was in so much pain. However, just when the stretchers bearer came approaching him, Derek stood up and continued running…limping…in pain. Inspite of his pain, Derek made a decision that he was going to finish his race! What a determination! Such a powerful example of never giving up!

Although Derek never won the gold or never won any medal for that matter, over 65,000 people stood up to applaud his courage to continue in the midst of his pain.

In life, as we go along, we will discover that although we must go out there with winning as a goal, we will learn that the process from the start to the finish line matters more than winning…that it doesn't matter how many times we fall for as long as we go back up and continue the race!

I am reminded of how many times I've had setbacks in my business and in my personal life…sometimes it felt as if everything is failing and I'm losing. Just like Derek, I get back up and remind myself that I must continue. I must move forward. Eventually, I overcome and I just repeat the principle whenever I face another set back. It's not easy. I'm always still in pain whenever I get back up but I can't wait for the pain to die down to pick myself up. I am bigger than my pain! I can overcome it and you can too! Derek did and you can too!

Whatever situation you're in right now, never ever give up! Just like Derek, you may only be 250 meters from the finish line and if you will only get back up, you will see the end of it!

3. You're Never Alone
On the video you will see that out of nowhere, all of a sudden, Derek's dad came running behind him then started to run with him. Whether you believe there is a God or not, the truth is that He exists. There may be times in your life when you feel that He doesn't exist but just like Derek's father, God is running this race of life with you. He's the one that gives you the strength to get back up when you fall down.

3 POWERFUL lessons from the story of ONE man! All because he never gave up. Now Derek is a very influencial speaker and inspiration too many!

Whatever you are in your life right now, just keep reminding yourself that everything happens for a reason! Hold your head up high and run the race with strength and courage!

I hope you enjoyed this post as much as I enjoyed writing it. As always, please RT, "like" on Facebook, Digg if you enjoyed it and want to share with others! Keep the encouragements viral! Too many negative things going around…we need the positive ones to spread like wildfire and influence people!

If you have a story to share, you can email me or comment below!

Until then!…

P.S: If you haven't subscribed yet to my upcoming course called 7 Days to Developing 7 Winning Attitudes to Attracting More Profits, I want you to do so! These are the very attitudes that I apply in my business and I guarantee that it will make a difference in your business as well! Click here to go back to the homepage and fill out the short form. *Smiles*

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Comments (2)

Brian Tomlinson says:

June 13, 2010 at 11:52 PM

Hey Lynne, this is a super inspirational post. Your 3 points are awesome and I can totally relate. We should never give up on our dreams and definitely set out to be the best.

I think Martin Luther King said..”Reach for the moon and even if you miss you will be among the stars”.

~BT

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Chris Bernardo says:

June 14, 2010 at 2:32 PM

Lynne,

Thanks for sharing this information, I am going to share this with my list as i find great value in it. Have an Awesome Day!
Chris

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