Verified by 
Key points
- Research suggests that bronze medalists are significantly happier than silver medalists.
- Your definition of success and the mindset it engenders influence how you perceive events in your life.
- Savoring your accomplishments has been shown to increase happiness.
It comes as no surprise that gold medalists are happy. However, perhaps surprising to many, a research study that examined the facial expressions of those on the winners’ podium found that bronze medalists were significantly happier than silver medalists.
Why? The silver medalists were thinking about how close they were to winning the gold medal, whereas the bronze medalists were thinking about how close they were to missing the podium.
As the world turns its attention to the gold medals at the Paris Olympics, it’s worth reflecting on the lessons we can learn from the silver and bronze medalists.
Define Success Carefully
Success is defined differently by everyone, however it typically falls into three categories: personal growth, the ability to avoid failure, or the capability to outperform others. Your definition of success and the mindset it engenders influence how you perceive events in your life.
A study in the Journal of Applied Psychology demonstrated that if you measure success by outperforming others, which mirrors the silver medalist’s mindset, others’ achievements can bring you down. However, if you focus on personal growth or avoiding failure—mirroring the bronze medalist’s perspective—others successes can instead inspire and motivate you.
In light of this, I often set goals centered on personal growth. Much like an Olympian aiming for a personal best, we can strive for personal bests in our own endeavors.
Savor Your Accomplishments
McKayla Maroney’s expression upon receiving the silver medal at the 2012 Olympic women’s vault final, dubbed the “not impressed” face, became an internet sensation for epitomizing disappointment.
This moment underscores the importance of savoring—the act of fully engaging in, appreciating, and enhancing positive experiences and emotions. While it’s hard to say for sure, it seemed like Maroney was focusing on her disappointment, whereas the others on the podium were savoring the many joys of the moment and winning an Olympic medal.
Savoring has been shown to increase happiness. Trying to savor what is good can also help if you begin to feel down; savoring positive moments helps individuals build resilience and hope, enabling them to better cope with stress and adversity. By celebrating even small wins, individuals strengthen their ability to handle challenges.
By adopting the mindset of a bronze medalist, you can cultivate a perspective that enhances happiness and fulfillment. Remember, it isn’t always about the gold; sometimes, bronze yields some of the broadest smiles.
Facebook/LinkedIn image: ProPhoto1234/Shutterstock
