Olympic Torch
I’ve just had another lesson in the importance of focus to achieving success – this time from the Olympic Torch Procession.
I’ve been somewhat grumpy about the Olympics – not when London first won it, but in recent days, with various fiascos to do with security (both getting people into the country and getting them into Olympic venues), the difficulty of buying tickets, the strictures about the logo and so on. So, with the sun shining at the weekend I decided to get involved.
The torch procession was passing a mile or so from my house, so I decided to go and have a look.
In many ways the experience was much more pleasant than I had thought. I’d expected wall to wall crowds and no possibility of seeing anything. Wrong! The streets were lined with people but it was easy to see, and everyone was being amicable.
Mind you, I was surprised when 5 marshalls and police people gave me 5 different answers (none of them correct) about where the torch might go. One police woman apologized and said she was only there to stop it getting stolen. ?????!!!!!, thought I.
The torch itself was preceded by waves of police cars and vans with people in sponsorship uniform. Coca cola, Samsung and Lloyds TSB had chosen to grace Stoke Newington with their presence, but, apart from the woman handing out free coca cola, they didn’t get much in the way of cheers.
One of the biggest cheers was for a protesting pensioner on a bicycle, who had clearly sneaked his way into the procession – protesting against the banks.
Somewhere in the middle of all this a horse box loomed. I was so busy trying to figure out what was in it (the press as it turned out, which seemed very apt) that I almost missed the torch itself. As you can see from the photo I only really registered the torch bearer’s retreating back.
If I’d been focusing on what I wanted to see – the torch – I’d have got a much better picture! But then, having a clear focus and sticking to it is one of the secrets of successful people.
Still at least I was there – because I doubt the Olympics will be back in London again in my lifetime. So it really IS a once in a lifetime event.
