August 22, 2024

The Power of Delayed Gratification: Steffany’s Journey to True Victory

I’ve always admired my wife, Steffany Hanlen-Francey, for her incredible dedication and the profound impact she has on the athletes she coaches. Over the years, I’ve seen her pour everything into helping others reach their highest potential. But one recent experience stands out as a testament to her commitment and the power of delayed gratification.

In the 2022 Winter Olympics, Steffany’s athletes achieved something remarkable: they won silver and bronze medals in the team event. It was a moment that should have been celebrated immediately, but due to a doping scandal involving a competitor, the medals were withheld. What should have been a moment of triumph was instead marred by uncertainty, leaving Steffany and her athletes in a frustrating state of limbo.

Around the same time, Steffany received a medal from the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Committee. This award was a recognition of her significant contribution to her athletes’ success—a symbol of her excellence as a coach. But instead of celebrating, Steffany quietly placed the medal on a shelf. For two and a half years, it remained there, largely unacknowledged. Why? Because for Steffany, the recognition felt incomplete as long as her athletes had not yet received their medals. She couldn’t bring herself to celebrate fully when those she had supported were still waiting for their moment.

This experience highlighted for me something profound about my wife’s character and her approach to life: she is always focused on the bigger picture. For Steffany, success isn’t just about personal accolades; it’s about the collective journey. She couldn’t embrace her own recognition until the entire story was complete, until her athletes had their moment of glory.

Finally, during the 2024 Summer Olympics, the medals were awarded to her athletes. It was only then, standing on stage with them, that Steffany allowed herself to fully embrace her own medal. For the first time, the award felt real to her, because it was tied to the completion of her athletes’ journey. It was a moment of true victory, not just for them, but for her as well.

As I reflect on this, I’m reminded of the importance of delayed gratification. Steffany’s ability to wait until the time was right to celebrate—until her athletes were honored—demonstrates a deep respect for the process and a commitment to integrity. She taught me that sometimes, the most meaningful victories come not from rushing to the finish line, but from patiently seeing a journey through to its rightful end.

This experience also reinforced something we both believe in: staying grounded in your “why.” Steffany has always been clear about why she does what she does. It’s never been about the medals or the accolades; it’s about helping others shine. By waiting until the journey was complete, she honored that purpose and ensured that the celebration was genuine and deserved.

Takeaways:

1. Celebrate the Journey, Not Just the Destination: True fulfillment comes from honoring the entire process, not just the end result. Waiting to celebrate until every part of the journey is complete can make the victory more meaningful.

2. Delayed Gratification Yields Greater Rewards: By resisting the urge to immediately celebrate personal achievements, you allow for a more authentic and deeply satisfying recognition when the time is right.

3. Stay Grounded in Your Purpose: Being clear about your “why” helps you remain patient and focused, ensuring that your actions align with your true values and long-term goals.

4. Success is a Collective Effort: Recognizing that your achievements are often tied to the efforts of others helps you maintain humility and gratitude, and underscores the importance of teamwork in any endeavor.

5. Integrity in Recognition: True acknowledgment and celebration should come when the full scope of the effort has been realized, especially when your success is connected to others. This ensures that the recognition is not only deserved but also complete.

So, as I watch Steffany now, proudly showing her medal, I see not just a coach who made a difference, but a person who understands the true value of patience and the power of completing the journey. And that, to me, is the real victory.