I’m missing the Olympics now that they’re over. Talk about a nightly dose of high-end inspiration. These games get right into my soul. The sheer amount of sacrifice, guts, and determination behind every performance is enough to make me step back and seriously evaluate my own goals.
I was watching the closing ceremonies and I thought to myself, which is better – being a Rock Star or being an Olympian? This comparison struck me like the thunderbolt of Zeus. Both have advantages, both bring great fame, and neither is a very easy path to walk.
The Rock Star
A Rock Star’s fame is often bolstered by the whims of the public. Popularity lifts a Rock Star to great heights, and that same popularity can bring a Rock Star crashing down. Granted, being a Rock Star does take talent, but it also comes from a great deal of networking and the good fortune of being in the right place at the right time.
Many Rock Stars never know what hit them. One day they’re playing the local bar scene in their hometown and the next they’re splattered on the front page of Rolling Stone and gazing out the window of the tour bus wondering what town they’ll be playing in next.
Fame comes quickly, and to the outside world, it often seems like fame brings an easy life. Sure, there’s a lot of work and sacrifice behind the spotlight and the fog machines, but Olympians have to work a lot harder.
The Olympian
With the Olympians, we have fame but of a different sort. The gold isn’t easy to win by any means, and hours upon hours of training lead up to one moment in time. This kind of fame is the tortoise to the Rock Star’s hare.
The Olympian is slow and steady, always trying to out-do the previous day’s limit by just a little more. He has a plan. He may fall, he may fail, he may suffer injuries along the way, but the Olympian picks himself up and keeps going. He can’t rely on luck, either; he’s the only one accountable for his success or failure.
The fame he might have is a lonely road. There are no throngs of fans dogging his every step. Most Olympians aren’t noticed until the day they set foot on Game soil and the torch is lit for the whole world to see.
The Personalities Behind the Pens
To me, it’s far more valuable to be the Olympian, working hard but steadily towards a goal. No one can ever take away that inner strength and the training that goes into reaching a medal – or even just reaching a personal best.
The Rock Star world may be a fun high to ride (I know James loves being out there on the stage), but it’s a risky one. There’s a lot of luck and a ton of chance.
Plan. Train. Work on your strategy to complete your race. When your race is done, sit back and analyze the performance. The hard work gives you staying power for the long haul, not just the short-term burst of popularity.
Unless you’d like the fast money and fame of a Rock Star? And once the crowd moves on – then what?
Olympian, definitely. When I was younger, I used to think I wanted the Rock Star path – to make it big overnight, minimal work required. Luckily, that never held me back from actually working for what I really wanted. I feel better about myself if I can look back and think, “I did a darned good job on that,” rather than, “Oh, I just got lucky. I’m not really all that great.”
This is how it always was when I used to dance – most of the girls got the lead parts not because they were any good, but because their moms had acted as president of the board at some point in time. My mom never did… so I had to work ten times as hard just to get the same recognition. Frustrating, sure, but I’m much more proud of my accomplishments as a dancer.
Of course, it doesn’t hurt to get lucky now and then. Sushi Day got featured on Lifehacker the second day we were live… huge lucky break. That was long before I knew how to market myself on the internet – commenting on other blogs, etc., and long before I was any good at writing. Not that I couldn’t have gotten to where I am with my own hard work… but I don’t mind taking the lucky break every once in a while.
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Hey, heeeyy, I wanna be a rockstar…
But that’s just what I *want*. What I *do* is different.
You know, that song is on he radio every morning when the alarm goes off, I swear. Drives me NUTS.
I so agree with Harry, except I’m not even sure fame is a worthwhile goal. I’d rather be a rock star to those closest to me- my kids, my spouse, my mom…. even my inlaws. I might settle for being known as a rock band/olympian groupie to the rest of the world.
Well, if the rock star salary pays better than the Olympic salary…
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@James – oh to really rock out on stage just once…sigh…I hear ya, bro!
@Harry – I am definitely working away at my blog based on training for the Olympics, but…
…@Karen – yup, I’m thinking the pay is much better as a rock star. *smile*
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I’d want to be a rock star for a week, but an Olympian for a lifetime.
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Funny you should mention this. I am actually in training now to be an Olympic Musician. No seriously.
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I totally take your point, and I’m with you, obviously, on the Olympian thing. Jim Collins in Good to Great pointed out what many of us know- that “overnight sensations” are usually years or decades in the making.
I think it’s a little unfair to make that jab at rock stars, though.
There are a few who get lucky breaks, but many of them spent years getting good at their music, developing their voice, playing small bars.
But, I’m not arguing your point. Just speaking up for the poor defenseless rock stars (grin).
There does seem to be a see-saw effect, though, at a certain level, whether you’re an Olympian or a Rock Star. Years of work, and then suddenly it seems some line is crossed, and the Results. Get. Big. In fencing- the sport I participated in for years- there seems to be a BIG difference (I[‘ve only observed those lofty heights) in the experience between being a national-level A fencer, and being one of the top fencers in the world. Although there isn’t often a huge difference in fencing ability- just that extra edge of flawlessness.
You’ve got me thinking. Hmmm…
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You know, I really like the picture for today’s post. They both feature half-naked famous people!
@Harry, We just read the story of the tortoise and the Hare to my four year old. He’s been running around saying, “Slow and steady, wins he race. ” I guess we are trying to balance out his Rock Star personality with wisdom. Some people are born as rock stars and love the instant gratification while others prefer the value of hard earned success. It really makes you think….
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To be more serious, here’s my take on it:
I want rockstar riches, popularity and fame. Really, I do. But I want to achieve that on the basis of Olympic training, which allows me the foundation of strong knowledge and built-up ability to achieve milestones and goals.
If I fail in my endeavors, I will never truly start over from ground zero. A rockstar who rises to sudden fame might stumble and never be able to get up again – the moment has passed. The music trends have changed. The fans have turned to someone better or prettier. It’s too unpredictable.
But the Olympiad will always know the techniques to run a faster mile, swim a longer distance or stay in better health. That’s valuable. You can’t lose with a foundation like that.
@Allison, Panther, Mark, Karen & WriterDad: I think everyone would like to try the rock star route just once. That’s like your 15 minutes of instant fame, you know?
I think…damn, James just answered for me. Yeah. What he said.
@James: I wanna be a cowboy, baby
@ Harry – Woot! Yessir, boy! Bet you’ll hear my whistle blowin’ when my train rolls in…
Damn. Now I have to go listen to that. Top volume. Screw the neighbors
@James @Harry – you know, I really dislike it when you guys get songs stuck in my head. At least James’ aren’t Walt Disney tunes.
Urban Panthers last blog post..To poo or not to poo, that is the question.
@ Urban – Somewhere…. beyond the sea… somewhere, waiting for me…. my lover stands on golden sands and watches the ships. that. go. saaaailing…
*cues trumpets*
James is the Olympian who swims with a guitar strapped to his back! hehe
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Harry,
Nothin’ wrong with wanting a little of each, working your tush off and taking it as it comes, eh?
Mr. Phelps gets his rockstar momentito right now, but soon he goes back to being an every-four-year phenomenon. I’m going to guess that as much as he loves earning it the hard way, he’s enjoying the rush—the way people in business for themselves have to come to terms with the everyday sweat, but each time you land a big fish, you get that rockstar rush for a minute. That makes the sweaty grimy times worth it. I like the slow and steady route.
Now if my blog wants to go on to be a rockstar, I’m not complaining.
James,
You’re seeing Nemo credits in your head, aren’t you? Suave longing, ruined by a fish.
Regards,
Kelly
@Harry – speaking of songs in the head, I now have “I wanna be a cowboy, and you can be my cowgirl. Yippie yippie yi, yippie yi yo yo” in my head… And just to torture you all, here’s the video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s05jcrJw0as
I have no interest in being a Rock Star or Olympian. I want to be Superstar Writer (like JK Rowling) – lots of work and lots of fame.
@ Alex – I used to love that video. Thought it was fantastic, LOL