A recent poll revealed that 27% of Britons believe they could qualify for the Olympics if they trained for the next four years. This belief, while intriguing, overlooks a crucial reality: most Olympians begin their training soon after they can walk. The path to the Olympics is not just about years of practice but a lifetime of relentless dedication, often starting in early childhood.

The idea that four years could be enough to reach such an elite level is appealing because it allows us to dream big without facing the real, grueling work involved. It’s easy to imagine ourselves standing on the podium when the reality of getting there seems so far out of reach.

But what if we grounded those ambitions in more achievable, yet still challenging goals? What could we accomplish with four years of focused effort? We could master a craft, launch a successful business, significantly improve our health, or create something that adds lasting value to the world.

While not all of us are destined to be Olympians, we can still achieve greatness in our own right. Four years is enough time to make substantial progress toward goals that, unlike the Olympics, don’t require a lifetime of preparation but still demand our best efforts. Let’s focus on what’s within our reach and commit to making it happen.