The Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics recently ended, and one thing stayed with me quite longer after the closing ceremony.
Some athletes spent four or five years preparing for a performance that lasted less than four minutes. A downhill, or a skeleton slide, or a short program on ice. And then it was over. All that time, all that effort, fit into something sometimes barely timed with a stopwatch.
I found that both humbling and inspiring.
When we watch the Olympics, the focus is naturally on the podium, the medals, and the scores on the screen. But in reality, it seems those moments are only a small part of the story.
Most of the work, like in any sport, happens much earlier, on quiet mornings in training facilities most of us will never see. No audience, no cameras, and no guarantee that any of it will lead anywhere.
At Veritas English, we talk about this with our fellows, because improving language skill follows a very similar pattern. It’s easy to focus on the next big moment, like a presentation, a client call, an interview.
But the way to make steady progress is to try and take the ordinary days of practice just as seriously.
At the time, those ordinary days of practice don’t feel dramatic. They’re calm, steady, and ordinary. Often time-consuming, too! But over time, they steadily build the confidence and skill that make bigger moments possible.
Most athletes in Milano Cortina didn’t leave with a medal. But every one of them left stronger, more skilled, and more confident than when they started. Days, months and years of training are never in vain, as they become part of who you are.
That’s something we can all learn from. When you commit fully, even on ordinary days, your efforts always pay off, in your ability, your mindset, and your belief in yourself. Whether you’re preparing for a big moment or simply working to become a clearer, more confident communicator, every step forward matters.
Veritas Coach
Lucija Maskaljevic
Originally from a small city in Croatia, Lucija always felt there was more to explore beyond what was familiar. Since graduating from Law school—after which people are usually expected to stay and work in their home country—she started to realize that her passion might not be in legal texts, but in connecting with people from different cultures. That’s when she turned to language learning. What began as a hobby quickly became something much bigger. Every new language she learned became the key that opened doors to new perspectives, opportunities, travel, friendships, and stepping outside of comfort zone.
Coming to Japan, she once again saw how important language is—not only for herself, but for others too. She understood what it felt like to be held back by a language barrier, and also how freeing it is to break through it. That’s when she found Veritas, and its mission really spoke to her. Now, as part of the Veritas team, Lucija helps others build that same confidence through language. She believes that acquiring a language can change your life and open so many doors—and she’s excited to support others on that journey, just like she once started her own.
