The Mundanity Of Excellence: An Ethnographic Report

In 1989, Daniel Chambliss wrote “The Mundanity of Excellence: An Ethnographic Report on Stratification and Olympic Swimmers.” During Chambliss’ ethnographic research, he concluded that is not talent that helps athletes excel in their sport of choice but rather technique, discipline, and attitude. Chambliss states, “There is no magic that separates Olympians from everyday people, despite the fact that the title suggests Greek gods. No one is born to make the Olympic finals; potential doesn’t win a gold medal. Doing it is the only thing that counts.” Due to Chambliss’ finding, excellence is more attainable to the common Joe than just divine right or special gifts bestowed upon the lucky few. Using these aspects of excellence, others are able

A student that attends a progressive and advanced institution such as, Georgia State University, should have the techniques of being prepared for class. This aspect entails turning in work on time, providing your utmost effort to all academic endeavors, as well as giving your academics all the required time it takes to master your subject of choice. Following the idea of technique should coincide with the perfecting of one’s discipline. Let’s take into account that college is full of friends, choices, and freedom. Due to the new found freedoms, one can easily become derailed from their academic path by choosing beer kegs and fraternity parties over attending class and ignoring one’s responsibilities. I express that the best way to perfect one’s discipline towards becoming an excellent student is to prioritize. I would rather party with a college degree than being a sixth year senior still trying to drink beer kegs with freshman to seem cool. However, technique and discipline cannot solely work alone with the perfection of one’s attitude. Wade Boggs once stated, “A positive attitude causes a chain reaction of positive thoughts, events and outcomes. It is a catalyst and it sparks extraordinary results.” How one’s sees their world is only seeing the result of their attitude reflected upon the world. All of these factors are vital in the creation of a perfect student but

During Chambliss’ ethnographic research, he concluded that is not talent that helps athletes excel in their sport of choice but rather technique, discipline, and attitude. Due to Chambliss’ finding, excellence is more attainable to the common Joe than just divine right or special gifts bestowed upon the lucky few. Using these aspects of excellence, others are able to acquire excellence by applying such aspects to their own lives. The two areas in my life that I could apply Chambliss’ ideals would be to an excellent student as well as an excellent mother. By applying the aspects of technique, discipline, and attitude of attaining excellence, can I call myself an excellent student and mother. An excerpt from “The Mundanity of Excellence: An Ethnographic Report on Stratification and Olympic Swimmers” states, “But champions do not wait four years to find their heroic opportunities; they create those opportunities, every