Playing by the Rules & Cameron Smith

The big news in Australian sport this week is the shock that Melbourne Storm captain, Cameron Smith, will miss the Australian Rugby League final due to his suspension. Stung for a 'grapple tackle' on Bronco's player, Sam Thaiday, Cam's protest is that other players had done it and gotten away with it. Though he is prepared to cop the 2-game suspension, Cam's argument sounds like one from a primary school playground. You know the one. "Oh Miss, they did it too!" (say it with a whiny voice for added effect).
The point still remains that tackling around the head and neck is dangerous and can have nasty and even fatal consequences. It reminds me of a quote by Oprah Winfrey, "“Real integrity is doing the right thing, knowing that nobody's going to know whether you did it or not.” Don't do something just because you can get away with it, even though it may do harm to another. A true champion values integrity and will avoid the attitude of winning at all costs. The cost can be too great so why risk it.
Football players and all athletes need to start taking responsibility for their actions and consider doing the right thing, rather than stretching the rules.

Let it Go

Have you ever noticed times when you try and try to get a result and nothing seems to work, and then you give up or let go. Isn't it funny how once you let go, that things start to work out for the best? Perhaps that very thing you were striving for occurs easily and effortlessly.
My philosophy on going for goals is this:
Setting a goal gives you direction and helps you create the life of your dreams. Once you set the goal, become confident and trust that it can and will occur. And then, here's the tricky bit, you need to let go of it HAVING to happen. Or at least for it having to happen exactly as you plan. This very letting go, ironically, increases your chances of achievement.
Yes, you still take action towards you goal and do whatever it takes.
The distinction is that by letting go you open yourself up to going with the flow and seeing the opportunities that present themselves. It gives you the ability to adjust to changed circumstances. If you are limited to only 'one way' then you might be shutting yourself to necessary detours or shortcuts.
Letting go allows you to focus on and enjoy the process and appreciate the present.
Where in life can you let go? You can find more of my insights and learnings through my newsletter. Read past issues of AnnetteffectNews now.

And now for the paralympics - are you watching?

Who is following the Paralympics? After all the glory and media attention of the Olympic games, do we give the same attention to the feats of these amazing athletes. I was just reading about Natalia Partyka and her extraordinary success in Table Tennis. She actually competed in the regular Olympics a few weeks ago also and hasn’t let the absence of a forearm stop her from being competitive against fully-abled opponents. Read her story and be inspired http://en.paralympic.beijing2008.cn/news/special/features/n214591907.shtml