20/08/2016
As I sit admiring the outstanding performances of the Olympic Games, I wonder what does it really take to become the very top athletes of the world. Undoubtedly, having the good physique and relentless training are the necessary conditions, but they are not sufficient. Interestingly, some of these elite athletes said they do not aim to compete or win in their chosen sport, as, some said, it can be quite disheartening to see that there is always someone far better in the field. Therefore, “winning” or “competing” is not part of their goal. Instead, their principle is “to do the best I can possibly do”. Their mental attitude is striving to work to the utmost of their potential, but not led by the mindset of “winning over others”. This way of thinking is so different from those of many parents here in Hong Kong, who see their children’s education as a long competing journey. Their emphasis is placed on strategies, exams, and grades – all setting a stage designed for fierce competition. Thus, from the beginning, not much room is left for the child to explore his potential, standard, or limit. Instead of building up their confidence through exploration, the system leaves the children feeling defeated.
To reach their full potential, athletes or students need the taste of success in their experience to boost their motivation. In my view, this experience is best obtained by achieving their own ever-rising goals and standards, not by winning competitions.
當我坐着欣賞奧運的精彩演出時，不禁想起如何才能當上世界頂尖的運動員，無疑地，有良好的體魄和地獄式訓練都是必須的，但這樣還是不够的，有趣地，很多這類頂尖運動員都說他們的目的不是取勝，因為當他們想到在他們的項目中存在着很多比他們更優秀的運動員時，他們便會覺得氣餒，所以，「勝出」及「參賽」都不是他們的最終目的，反而，他們的原則是「盡量做到最好」，他們的心態是要把自己的最高潛能盡量發揮出來，但不是以「勝過對手」為目的，這樣的思想與今日香港很多家長有很大分野，這些家長視他們兒女的教育為漫長的競賽之旅，他們把重點放在策略、考試、分數之上，全然把子女的人生看作一個與別人鬥個你死我活的舞台，這樣，兒童打從開始便沒有機會去發掘自己的潛能、水平、或極限，他們沒有機會從探索中建立自信，反而在這種制度中感到挫敗。
為了達到他們的最高潛能，運動員及學生都需要嘗到一些成功的經驗，以加強他們日後的動力，我認為這些經驗應從達到他們自己的最高水準，而不是從贏取比賽中獲得。
