WHAT A ROLE MODEL!

I'm a big tennis fan and an even bigger fan of Roger Federer. I honestly believe that he is probably the greatest ever role model in the world of sport.

Currently world number 3, the former world number one has won no less than 16 grand slam titles. He has been there, done it and got the tee-shirt but he remains the most incredibly modest man. He is currently playing in the French Open championships at Roland Garros in Paris and on Tuesday was involved in an incredible comeback from two sets down to beat Juan-Martin Del-Potro in five sets. Two days before he beat a young up and coming player who openly admitted that he idolised Federer as he was growing up.

I was full of admiration for the way he conducted himself both during and after these matches. He demonstrated incredible mental strength and focus. He dug deep when he most needed to and called upon the resources he required to get the job done. Afterwards he was full of praise for his opponents. He is like that whether he wins or loses. Even after losing in the US Open semi-final last year to Novak Djokovic after being two sets up, playing fantastically and having several match points, he remained a real gentleman. He must have felt crushingly disappointed by the loss but said something I have never forgotten - "When things like this happen it always makes me remember why we all love sport - because we never know what's going to happen."He demonstrates exactly how sport should be played and is in my opinion is sportsmanship personified.

I once read an interview in which a sports reporter told the embarrassing story of how as a young reporter he had been lucky enough to interview Federer in his hotel room the night before a big semi-final match. As he was finishing the hour long taped chat he realised to his horror that he had forgotten to switch the tape recorder on. Far from being cross with him, Roger Federer simply suggested they do the whole thing over again, even though it was already late at night.

He is fluent in four languages and proficient in several others. He always makes people feel special and never forgets his roots. The man is a legend, quite simply the greatest sportsman who ever lived.

OK so I didn't actually meet him at last year's ATP world finals at the O2 ........ but you have to admit I still look pretty happy about it!

INSPIRE A GENERATION

I was fascinated by today's news story about the choice of motto for the London Olympics, now just 100 days away - "Inspire a generation." I listened to a discussion about it on Radio 5 this morning and was amazed by some of the comments. People seemed all too quick to moan about it, mostly stating that it is far too big a statement and overly-ambitious.

Well that's the point isn't it? Do we really want to publisise our nation with a motto along the lines of,

"A fortnight of running races that might get a few people into sport for a bit."
or
"A glorified sports day at the tax payers expense."

No, no and a thousand times no!

Mottos like this are all about huge ideals, about massive goals and tremendous achievement.
They've got to be big, they've got to be bold and they've got to really appeal to your heart.
The thought of inspiring a generation makes the hair stand up on the back of my neck and gives me goose pimples - in the right way. It's the same way I feel when I remember David Beckham's free-kick goal against Greece that put England into the World Cup finals. It makes me proud, it makes me want to stand up and be counted and above all it makes me want to take action. After all isn't that what any motto or goal is supposed to do?

We are all motivated by what Anthony Robbins calls big juicy goals. The things we really care about, not the small mundane stuff. I wouldn't be motivated to get up at 5:30am and go and do a commuter surgery in the practice if I did it just to pay my bills. No. What gets me up in the morning is the knowledge that I am making a difference to peoples' lives - every day. I'm lucky to get the chance to do that multiple times every day but whatever we do we can all do this in some way. Whether that's with a smile or a word or just a small random act of kindness.

So if like me you're excited by the thought of inspiring a generation, let's say so. Let's do something about it. Let's lead by example. If you want to change the world, begin with yourself. As Gandhi once said, "my life is my message." Make sure it's a message that you are proud for others to see, hear and feel.

I recently read Jonny Wilkinson's excellent autobiography - it's superb. One of the goals he aspires to is always be able to sign off a 24 hour video recording of his life, thereby always being happy about and proud of his actions. Now here's a man who takes being a role model very seriously but we can all learn from this. Become a role model for those around you - your kids, your friends, your colleagues. Make yourself proud, make them proud and "Inspire a generation!"