The Olympics exemplify so much of what we train at Klemmer and Associates, and it’s a great joy to learn about the athletes, how they think, and their stories that propelled them to where they are. Ghana’s “Snow Leopard” stands out this year as one of the greatest testimonies for the power of trust, intention, and what’s possible when a human being decides to believe more in their dreams than their limiting beliefs or those of the people around them.

Six and a half years ago Ghanaian Kwame Nkrumah-Acheampong, 28 years old, had never skied before. Six years ago, when he first tried to ski, it took him 30 minutes just to figure out how to go down in a straight line and stop without falling. He was working in an artificial ski center in England – an indoor ski hill where the conditions never really changed. When he shared his vision of skiing in the Olympics with others he was criticized and ridiculed.

Fast forward to February 2010. Kwame, 34 years old, is competing in the Olympics in the tall, fierce mountains of British Columbia with athletes who have been full-time skiers most of their lives. He is a husband and the father of two children. He has gained international acclaim for his willingness to go for his dreams and test to see if the impossible might actually be possible. He is also supporting two charities, one that protects the endangered snow leopard and another one that takes at-risk inner city youth into the mountains to show them a different way of life. He is making a tremendous difference.

Kwame’s quote that characterizes his achievement most is “I think it was like sending a Ghanaian to the moon.” So the question is what got him from where he was six years go to where he is now? Was it that he had loads of mechanisms and ways of achieving his dreams figured out in his head and he decided to use one of those mechanisms? OR was it that he was so clear on his vision, so convinced it was his path, that he was relentless in his pursuit of his dream whether he had mechanisms or not – not blindly forceful, but relentless in his optimism, passion, and willingness to take risks?

I suggest that it was the latter, that it was his total commitment to his dream that got him to the Olympics. And just as importantly, it was his willingness to trust himself more than he trusted other people’s negativity. His intention was so clear that the mechanisms to create his dreams appeared in his life. It’s no coincidence that the Snow Leopard is in the Olympics, that he is making a difference, and that he is inspiring thousands of others around the globe to pursue their dreams. He decided it would be so and he didn’t waver from that decision.

What are you not doing in your life because you don’t see a way to do it? Where in your life might you be allowing other people’s negativity and limited thinking to affect how you look at what’s possible? Is there somewhere in your life where you feel a compelling tug to do something great but you’re holding back? Where in your life have you made a decision to do something and you’re wavering on that decision?

Take the first step and attend a free Champions Workshop to learn the ‘Formula of Success‘ that will enable you to produce results and achieve your goals.

Scott Cundy
Personal Mastery Facilitator