Professor Elam

Weekend Aug 30, 2014

What can we learn about the studyof accounting from Olympians?  Quite a bit actually. 

Michael Phelps is the most decorated Olympian of all time with 22 total medals to his credit. In  the 2012 games he won four gold and two silver, making hims the most successful athlete for the third Olympics in a row.

In this highly competitive sport there are only about three swimmers in any one race who are genuinely in the game, The key to success was revealed in a Sixty Minutes interview with his coach. 

The fellow from 60 Minutes asked about his time off, the coach replied he did not take time off. Well surely he did not swim say on his birthday.

Yes he did. 

Well what about Christmas Day?

Yes he did.

Well what about New Year's and watching football with his buddies?

He swam that day too. 

The coach sighed and said look if you want to do this

Get in the Water.

 

IN other words practice practice practice.

The concert pianist Vladimir Horowitz remarked 

If I do not practice for a day I can tell the difference. 

If two days go by the critics can tell the differnece.

After three days, the audience can tell. 

Folks, if individuals at the literal top of their game have to rpactice every day, just how much do you think you need to practice accounting

Every Day?

Are you reviewing the power points and end of chapter questions and answers?

Get in the Water, metaphorically speaking.