Olympic Medalist Katie Ledecky Advises Gen Z Graduates to Focus on Personal Goals

Katie Ledecky, a 14-time Olympic medalist, recently shared her insights with Gen Z graduates, emphasizing the importance of setting personal goals rather than focusing on outperforming others. She advised the graduates to define success on their own terms and to enjoy the process of achieving their goals, rather than being fixated on the outcome.

Ledecky, who holds the world record for the women’s 800m and 1500m freestyle, urged the graduates to stay in their own lane and not get distracted by the performance of others. She emphasized that the real race is always against one's own goals, not against others. This advice comes at a time when the job market feels more uncertain than ever, and young people may feel pressured to stand out against the competition.

Ledecky's message was clear: success is not about winning against others, but about falling in love with the process of achieving one's own goals. She encouraged the graduates to set their own standards for success and to focus on their own journey, rather than comparing themselves to others. This advice may seem counterintuitive for an Olympic athlete, but Ledecky's success speaks for itself.

Ledecky also highlighted the importance of having a support system. She emphasized that success cannot be achieved alone and that it is important to surround oneself with people who will challenge, support, and inspire you. This message was echoed by fellow American Olympian Simone Biles, who credited her mom for helping her stay focused on achieving her goals.

Biles, like Ledecky, was not focused on being the best gymnast ever, but rather on being the best version of herself. She encouraged the graduates to be fueled by their own passion and to pursue their own greatness in everything that they do. This message resonates with the idea that success is not about being the best, but about being the best version of oneself.

The skills needed to succeed in business are similar to those of a professional athlete. Time management, resilience, and a learning mindset are especially parallel. Many chief executives credit sports for shaping their leadership styles in the boardroom. Stephanie Linnartz, the former CEO of a company, learned the importance of treating the pathway to success as a marathon, not a sprint, from her experience as a runner. She emphasized that sports can empower all of us to achieve excellence in every aspect of our lives.