I have been watching some of the Olympics over the last few weeks. While there can be controversy surrounding these events, I chose to focus on the time and effort of the athletes, many of whom have sacrificed so much to be in this competition.

While watching skating, the announcers were discussing one of the Australian skaters who has come back from a serious injury and then illness in order to make their best effort and show the result of years of training and focus on the tiniest details.

I think of countless hours of training, planning, and practice time each of them put in with a goal to be better every time. It is easy for me to watch and be critical of errors and think of how effortless the athlete makes it look while recognizing that there are so many details of a performance that I don’t understand or even notice that can have a huge impact on a score.

This past weekend, 4-H members across Barton County competed in our 4-H Club Day. This event provides an opportunity for youth to showcase their communication skills through demonstrations, illustrated talks, public speaking, and skits. In the same way that athletes don’t magically have all of the skills to successfully hurl themselves into the air in a skating competition, public speakers don’t automatically have all the skills to plan, organize, and effectively share their thoughts and ideas. It starts small and they improve their skills with feedback from others. In both cases, it takes many hours of practice and a focus on consistency to be better. 

I loved to skate as a little girl but my double-runner skates, and lack of natural ability, were not going to make me a champion skater. In a similar manner, not all of us going to feel comfortable addressing huge crowds or even small crowds. But each of us can work on skills to improve our communication with others every day. We can channel a little of those Olympic athletes as we set about finding mentors who will give us frank and honest feedback as well as opportunities to improve our own communication skills.

Keep learning. Keep showing grace and kindness.

Michelle Beran is the 4-H and Youth Development Agent for the Cottonwood District, Barton County office. For more information on this article or other 4-H Youth and Development related questions email Michelle at mberan@ksu.edu or call 620-793-1910.