This might surprise you, but I discovered being the best in the world isn’t a result of talent, timing, connections, good genes, or even discipline.
In fact, I’ve learned if you start off late with no obvious talent you might have an even greater chance to succeed than those with all the “advantages.”
Why? Because those with advantages often get stuck doing what comes easily. I didn’t have that problem growing up. Nobody thought I had much to offer.
And that’s a perfect place to start. That is, if you want to be the best in the world.
If talent isn’t required to be the best in the world, then what is? Here’s a little secret: Decisions determine your destiny.
I’ve discovered that there are 7 specific decisions you must make to become the best in the world. My life turned around when I made these decisions.
They took me from being the girl left behind on the slopes (and everywhere else) to a two-time Olympian, winner of three World Cups, and being recognized as the best technical downhill ski racer in the world.
Who’s my presentation for?
Not all your talents, just one. Here’s why: as simple as it may seem, your level of success is equal to how much time and energy you dedicate to one talent.
Have you ever noticed that the people who make it to the top tend to have friends there too? Although success isn’t contagious, getting involved with people who have made it big will inspire you and help you to get ahead too. Identify the experts in your field, join their groups, become one of their students, apprentices or employees, get on their team, attend their presentations, befriend them, partner with them or marry them. (Unless of course they’re already married).
It’s obvious that decisions determine your destiny. What’s not obvious is why you must choose to be the best in the world. Here’s why: If you don’t make the decision to be the best in the world you won’t know what your best is. But if you decide to be the best in the world, you’ll aim high enough to find out . . . and get there!
I’m seventeen years old. It’s time for tryouts. I’m in the weight room with fifteen other candidates. I’d been training hard-but I really struggled with pull-ups. I could never do more than 7. To get into the program, however, each of us had to do ten. And although right afterward I fainted . . . I did it! Each time I achieved a new level in my career it was because I did the 10th pull-up. The 10th pull-up is hard, very hard, almost impossible. Most of us stop at the eighth or ninth. I’m asking you to do what the 10th pull up is for you. That’s how you breakthrough and become the best.
You don’t have to wait for inspiration. You can decide to elevate your state. Sometimes that’s all you need to turn your performance around. We all have particular things which move us deeply but we don’t always take time to inspire ourselves. But to really be a top performer that’s just what you need to do.
You can change how you feel by changing the stories you tell. You don’t have to suppress your emotions or minimize your struggles. Just the opposite. You need to fully share your feelings and simply give your stories a happy ending. You can rewrite your history. When you alter the meaning of your past you change your future.
When I stopped copying, people started copying me. In fact, coaches would show their teams videos of me and say that’s how you need to take the turns. Once you’ve mastered the basics, you must develop your own style. Ask yourself, Who do I need to stop copying, do it and you’ll be the trendsetter people follow.
“Holly Flanders is a positive and motivating speaker. As a result of her presentation, I’m committed to focus on my talent and aim high . Thanks for paying the positive forward.”
“Holly’s speech was inspirational. I have since thought long and hard what I need to do to be the best in the world.”
“I was inspired by Holly. Not only in ways that will help my career, but also my personal life.”
“Holly was engaging, inspiring, and relatable. The most important idea I learned was how to commit time to achieve your aspirations.”
As the youngest of four, no matter what I did my older siblings were always way ahead of me. At six, I participated in my first ski race and cried all the way down the hill . . . and came in last.
In high school I attended a ski academy for young ski racers, where one of the coaches referred to me as a “bag of bolts”—not a compliment—my arms flailing as I skied down the hill, my body swaying uncontrollably as I took each turn.
But despite all that, I made a decision to take my talent to the top-downhill skiing.
This was the first of 7 decisions that resulted in me being invited to join the U.S. Ski Team and represent the U.S. in the Olympics and ski in the World Championships and earn three World Cup wins, six podiums, and 27 top ten finishes .and becoming recognized as the best technical downhill skier in the world.
I’m Holly Flanders. Today my life isn’t about World Cup championships. It’s about world change. As a motivational speaker, I share How to be the Best in the World and the decisions that empowered me to become an Olympian and a 3-time World Cup ski racing champion. I inspire audiences around the globe to make the decisions that will empower them to become the best in the world.
Since leaving the ski slopes, I have held leadership positions in both skiing and mountain biking organizations. I have been a TV commentator for CBS, ESPN, Turner Sports, and Golden Gate Productions and hosted my own TV show, “Flanders Afield,” on KTVX in Salt Lake City.
I live in Park City, Utah where I’m writing a book on how to be a peak performer in both business and life and provide education and products that promote vibrant health through nutrition. I’m the mother of three, including Alex Schlopy, World Champion and X Games Gold Medalist in Slopestyle and Big Air skiing. When I’m not delivering presentations, I can be found painting, meditating, mountain biking, and of course, skiing.
Invite me to your next gathering or event and let me share my story, How to be the Best in the World.
You’ve never heard a speech like it.
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