Motivation By Desire

Many of us have lost sight of what we really desire in life. We probably need to remind ourselves of the importance of rediscovering our desires and regaining the spark which makes life worthwhile.

If we fail to do this we will just settle for mediocrity and never make the most of our potential. Of course, illness or death can spoil our dreams but if we have tried our heart out up till then we will have nothing to regret.

Steve Prefontaine, the great American 5000 metre runner, is one person who did not settle for less than his best although sadly he died before he could achieve all his dreams.

I recently watched the film of his life and found it moving to say the least. Above all, the film showed what focused desire can achieve even when it is interrupted by death.

At sixteen, Steve Prefontaine was clear about his dream. He wanted to run and win gold at the Munich Olympics. "No one is going to stop me." Running became his life.

Bill Bowerman, head coach at the University of Oregon, wrote him a letter on the front page of a newspaper: "Dear Pre, If you want to come to the University of Oregon there is no doubt in my mind you will be the greatest distance runner in the world." He understood what would appeal to the mind of a winner.

Steve went to Oregon at the time of the protests against the war in Vietnam. He appreciated his good fortune: "Man, if it wasn't for running I'd be dodging bullets in 'Nam instead of training for Munich."

He visualized his success frequently both on his own and in the company of his girlfriend: "You really know how to sweet talk a girl." Mac Wilkins, the great discus thrower, thought he was a "cocky little mother."

But the head coach knew his cocky attitude was worth its weight in gold: "I'd like to bottle it and force feed it to the rest of you guys." The coach knew Steve had the heart of a winner and was motivated by the desire to win.

His room mate commented: "Back then everyone had either dope or beer. Pre's drug was winning at everything." Steve's words to the press were sometimes arrogant. The assistant coach told him that, as a result of his words, every athlete in the country would be gunning for him. "Bring them on." Steve replied.

He always made time for kids "He saw himself in their little faces." But he wouldn't let a nine year old beat him in a race. "You can't let a losing mentality creep in here (pointing to his brain). All my life people have said to me: 'You're too small, Pre; you're not fast enough, Pre; give up your foolish dream, Steve.' They forgot something: I have to win."

His girlfriend commented about him: "He always had a great need; just an endless need; it came from somewhere." Steve had a huge desire or need to win and to be the best. He is the only man to have held every American record between 2000 and 10000 metres. This has never been equaled.

At the Munich Olympics in 1972, Israeli athletes were taken hostage and then murdered. The Games continued nevertheless and Steve Prefontaine was given a chance to win gold in the 5000 metres.

Things didn't go to plan, however, and he came in fourth. Viren of Finland who won the race was 23. Steve was 21. Steve was distraught. He just banged his head against the wall. "It's my fault. I messed up." The assistant coach said "You ran your heart out. You've got to let it go, Pre."

Back home his girlfriend told him that she and the whole town were very proud of him. Steve was not convinced: "Yeah, sure; they'll probably name a street after me. They'll call it 'Fourth Street'."

He told his coach, Bill, not to retire but Bill had had enough: "He who runs against time has an adversary not subject to casualties. I'm 62. I'm getting too old for all this. I presided over the worst performance of the US team in Olympic History."

Steve replied: "That wasn't your fault. You couldn't run those races for us. We were the ones that blew it. I blew it." Bill did not agree: "You could have run for the bronze or the silver. You ran to win. I couldn't ask more than that from an athlete."

Steve confided his feelings: "Its funny; these days I don't know whether I want to train like hell and kick Viren's ass or stay in bed."

Bill Bowerman told him that he was a grown up now. No one would wipe his bottom for him: "If you want to run, you run. If you don't, you walk away from it. No one can coach desire, Pre." We all have to discover our own desire and, as adults, are the only ones who can follow up on our dreams.

It took a while but Steve bounced back and found his desire again. But he knew now that he needed to compete with the best to beat them. He fought for better support for American athletes after their college days were over. Eventually, this victory was won.

In the mean time he managed to organize a visit to Oregon by a Finnish team. Mac Wilkins was able to beat the world record holder at this meet.

At the after meet party, Mac Wilkins expressed his new found respect for Steve: "You know something. All those years to me you were a talented little jerk. I never understood you, but I now I do. I live and breathe the discus, Pre. I hate Christmas and Thanksgiving and Easter and anything that disrupts my routine."

Mac had the same burning desire to be the best as Steve. In 1976 he broke the world discus record and also won gold at Montreal. Desire for gold makes athletes hate anything that interrupts their plans to win. It makes them get up early in the morning to train. Steve's desire had returned but sadly he was killed in a car accident the evening after the farewell party for the Finns. He never had his second chance to win gold.

Bowerman commented on his life: "He was a rare runner - the kind a coach sees only once in a life time."

His first love said sadly: "I realized that I had kind of settled for things when we broke up and he never did that."

The assistant coach commented: "Let's be honest. The only reason we're sitting talking about Pre right now is that Pre was a winner People need winners. Pre went to Munich to win and Montreal, by God, he would have.

The funeral hearse went round the track at Hayward Field, Oregon. Bill Bowerman gave a funeral speech: "Pre ran every race as though it was his last. This is his last. This is the bell lap for Steve Prefontaine."

The attenders at the funeral called out: "Go Pre! Go Pre!" as his hearse came past just as they had done in his running days. He never won gold at the Olympics but he left a golden example behind him. He showed us the mind of a winner whose desire or need to be the best was huge. We can all learn from this.

The powerful song "Forever Young" by Bob Dylan ended the film.

About the author

John Watson is an award winning teacher and martial arts instructor. He has recently written two books about achieving your goals and dreams.

They can both be found on his website http://www.motivationtoday.com along with a daily motivational message.

The title of the first book is "36 Laws To Ignite Your Inner Power And Realize Your Dreams Now! - Acronyms, Stories, And Pictures...Easy To Remember And Use Everyday To Grab Your Life And Soar With The Eagles"

The book can be found at this URL: http://www.motivationtoday.com/36_laws.php

The book uses acronyms, stories and pictures to help readers remember 36 laws that can gradually transform your life if you apply them.

You are welcome to publish the article above in your ezine or on your website so long as you do not alter it and keep in the words about the author and the 36 Laws.

---

10 Tips on How to Get the Best from Changing Situations

It can be great to do something new 'for a... Read More

Great Success Story

Ok, let me tell you what I mean.As some of... Read More

Whats the Secret of Your Sucess?

I'm going to begin this article by sharing a little... Read More

One Step at a Time the Bowling Ball up the Ladder of Success!

I have often been asked the question, "What is true... Read More

The Other F Word - How Failure Can Be The Key To Your Success

Thomas Edison has done it. Naomi Watts often jokes about... Read More

True Success

I did it my way -Frank SinatraWhat is a successful... Read More

Success Achievement Secrets

You can achieve whatever you want by incorporating the following... Read More

IF and WHEN

IF and WHEN were friends. Every week they met and... Read More

+ Persistence =

"Never, never, never give up; never give up, never!." -... Read More

Reach Your Goals - Start A Round Robin

Start a "round robin" goal letter with others who need... Read More

Characteristics of Successful People

Each human being, who exists above the level of simple... Read More

Success: Beware The Arrival Syndrome

There is a saying that goes something like this: Getting... Read More

Trusting The Higher Self

As very few people achieve enlightenment in one lifetime, as... Read More

Identify Your Unique Factor and Succeed

What makes you unique? Answering this question will provide the... Read More

Sell Yourself to Be Successful in Life

If you want to be successful in life, business, or... Read More

Success - Overcoming Bodily Conditions Which Seem Impossible of Change

Conditions differ from circumstances. Circumstances are changeable conditions which merely... Read More

Success Unveiled

How do you define success?According to the Collins dictionary, success... Read More

Why Questions are so Important for Self Improvement and Success

Asking questions is one of the most basic ways that... Read More

Stop Reading Success Books and Start Being Successful

So you want to be successful (whatever that means to... Read More

If Youre Not Ready - Dont Start!

There are times when we feel we should take action,... Read More

Attitude Is The Key To Success

We all want success in life. We want success in... Read More

Teachings of the Success Masters

Authors such as Napoleon Hill have produced a great deal... Read More

Goal Setting: Pops Proves Its Never Too Late

Pops first set the goal in high school, but when... Read More

What Constitutes a Good Life?

The ultimate expression of life is not a paycheck. The... Read More

In Success Language, Failure Means You Are Almost There!

We all know as we are progressing towards our personal... Read More

Success Means Never Ever Giving Up

Persistence is the foundation of success. Although there are many... Read More

True Success is Generous

"Write checks on a regular basis to those who you... Read More

You are the President of Your Own Nation

Congratulations! You are the president of your own nation, and... Read More

Success and Failure: Two Sides of the Same Coin

Failure is GreatYou are probably asking yourself what could be... Read More

Five Ways To Take A Vacation Without Taking A Vacation

Last month Along The Purpose Path was about how to... Read More

How to Find Out What You Want from Life

No matter how young or old you are, you must... Read More

What if You Fed Your Mind as Often as You Feed Your Stomach?

Many people consider reading books a waste of time. It... Read More

What Does Success Look Like To You?

So many of us want success, but how many of... Read More