August 2, 2012
Caroline has always been interested in goal accomplishment, partly because her great uncles, Platt and Ben Adams, became the second siblings to go one-two in an Olympic event in 1912. In this interview with ABC’s WJLA -TV in Washington, she talks about their impact on her and how mindset is so important to success.
She also speaks about her neighbor, Katie Ledecky, whom she has watched since she was small as her prowess in swimming manifested and blossomed. Katie, at 15 the youngest American Olympian, as well as the youngest Olympian in London from any country, set a new American record in the women’s 800 meter freestyle on August 3rd, smashing one of the oldest records in American swimming and doing it in front of fans like LeBron James and Prince William and his wife, Catherine.
Like Caroline’s great uncles, Platt and Ben, who used a positive mindset to enhance their performance in the 1912 Olympics, Katie has always relied on goal-setting to keep her focused and on track, which she referenced in her post-race interviews.
I have been reading about your work and tips with ED, which are wonderful and thank you! This is a very interesting article in relation to that. How do you blance the goal setting from not being effective to becoming obsessive? What are your recommendations?
This was really what I focused on in my last book, “Creating Your Best Life,” because the dark side of goal-setting results in unhappiness and obsession, while appropriate goal-setting that focuses on being at your best, while still pursuing challenging goals that take you out of your comfort zone, is far better. This is a complex subject but it’s clear that we have to have a balance of proactive behavior and mindfulness in the present, and that’s what I try to do.
Hello!
I was actually suprised to see this when researching my Great-Grandfather’s actual world record. My name is Ashley Barber Breitzman and I am the Great Grand-daughter of Platt Adams 🙂 My grandmother Charlotte is his only living daughter at the age of 96 and doing VERY well. We have carried on the name Platt Adams as well…my father’s name is Platt Adams Barber and I also named my son Platt Adams. We certianly are a proud family!!
How wonderful to “meet” here! Family ties are fascinating and I hope we’ll meet at some point. Thanks for writing!
Hi Ashley, My name is Mary Jo Duncan Raff and I am the granddaughter of Jim Duncan who was in the 1912 Olympics with your great grandfather and your great uncle. My grandfather held the world record in the discus for quite some time. There is a picture of your grandfather and uncle with my grandfather aboard the USS Stockholm. My family is doing research on my grandfather and was wondering if you have any information regarding Jim Duncan. (He died in 1955 at St Elizabeth’s hospital). My Uncle (his son) is still alive but was a very little boy when he came back to the states and was hospitalized. My grandfather was mentally ill and my uncle has no memory of him and the family rarely spoke of him. Sad isn’t it?….
Oh well, it is a long shot. Just thought I would ask. Many thanks and hope to talk to you soon.
Best regards,
Mary Jo Duncan Raff
I’d love to connect via email because I think I know someone who might be able to help you. My email address is caroline@carolinemiller.com.