What does it take to win?

As we all cheer on our athletes from our home countries in the Sochi 2014 Winter Olympics, it reminds us of the preparation leading up to any type of elite competition. Below are 10 factors that many Competitors concentrate on when approaching a WorldSkills Competition.

1. Support System – Surround yourself with your family, friends, peers, and coaches that support your goals and have faith that you can accomplish them.
2. Planning – Set goals, identifying and taking steps to achieve them.
3. Preparation – Research the best practices taken to reach similar goals and gathering the tools necessary for the challenges ahead.
4. Physical Training – Combine exercise, healthy lifestyle, and rest, it will prepare you for the endurance needed to give it your all to the very end.
5. Practice – Like the old saying goes, practice makes perfect!
6. Focus – Improve your ability to prioritize and focus only on the things that matter in order to complete your task.
7. Motivation – Keep what winning means to you and the rewards in mind, for many Competitiors, winning is doing your best.
8. Determination – Challenge yourself to do what it takes to do your personal best!
9. Perseverance – Develop the mental strength to overcome obstacles and adapt to complete your goals.
10. Confidence – Believe in yourself from start to finish.

WorldSkills is very similar to the Olympics, people train for years to reach both and make it their goal to be the best in the world in their field of expertise. We celebrate and recognize all Competitors whether they are challenging themselves to run faster, skate harder, cook better, or cut cleaner. Representing your countries and regions is a privilege and an honour.