"The decathlon includes ten separate events and they all matter. You can't work on just one of them"

Dan O’Brien’s statement highlights the holistic demands not only of the decathlon, but also of any pursuit that encompasses diverse skills, performances, or components. In the decathlon, ten distinct track and field events are contested: 100 meters, long jump, shot put, high jump, 400 meters, 110-meter hurdles, discus throw, pole vault, javelin throw, and 1500 meters. Each event tests athletes’ speed, strength, agility, endurance, and technique in different ways. Success depends on excelling not at just a single event, but at the accumulation of performance across all of them.

Focusing exclusively on one discipline, no matter how strong an athlete may become in that area, will not result in a victorious cumulative score. Even a world-class sprinter who dominates the 100 meters would fall short among decathletes if unable to perform adequately in the throwing or jumping events. Thus, the decathlon is often referred to as the ultimate test of all-around athleticism, and its best practitioners are called the “world’s greatest athletes.” By acknowledging that “they all matter,” O’Brien underscores the importance of balance, adaptability, and steady proficiency. Weakness in one event can undermine the strengths in others, as poor performance is magnified rather than masked by the scoring system.

Translating this lesson beyond athletics, O’Brien’s message resonates in many fields, whether education, career development, or personal growth. Mastery in life rarely comes from perfecting a single aspect while neglecting others. For example, a student who excels at mathematics but ignores language skills, or a professional who builds technical expertise while neglecting teamwork, risks underachieving when broader challenges arise.

Comprehensive development, attending to multiple skills, habits, and areas of knowledge, enables not only competence but also resilience. Balancing attention among all required areas, striving for well-rounded growth, and recognizing the value in each component shape both champions in sport and well-adapted individuals in life.