It was five years ago when I boarded a bus for three months with the "Fierce Five." I was hired to be the chaperone to these amazing Olympians on the Kellogg's Tour Of Champions. I have to say it was one of the best experiences of my life. As I reflect back, I can see so many things that can be applied to the college recruiting process.

1.  There are no short-cuts in life.

I was not surprised -- but instead amazed -- at how hard the athletes and Olympians on the Kellogg's Tour worked. They not only managed their commitment to the Tour, but also to their sponsors, agents, and a variety of things along the way. When it was time for me to give them huge boxes of photos to autograph at the end of the day, they never complained. The work ethic it takes to achieve their dreams was so obvious and applied to their day to day commitments.      

2. You must have fun and love what you do.

There was no question that the Fierce Five loved their sport and each other. The first few nights on the bus I could not get them to stop laughing and go to bed. When it came time to train they worked hard, and when it was time to have fun they relaxed and had a blast together.  

3. You don't always get what you want.

When Aly and Mckayla got injured on the Tour it was of course very frustrating for each of them. I think they were even a bit shocked, but they handled it and moved on.They didn't stay down or negative.   

4. It is not about the end result but instead about the journey.

While on the Tour some of the stops had many other of the National Team members join us for a few days. It was evident the girls had deep bonds with each other. Some of these girls that only arrived for one stop also had the dream of being an Olympian, but things did not work out that way for them. They never showed jealousy or regret, but jumped on board and did what tasks they were given. The friendships that were built over the years with each other were amazing to watch and very evident.  

The college recruiting process can be very competitive and aggressive. Things don't always turn out just how you hoped or imagined. When you have a dream, it is important to keep your focus but also remember there are no short-cuts in life, you must have fun, you don't always get what you want, and it's not about the end result but instead about the journey.  

JH Consulting is an advising business for parents and club gymnasts. Parents hire Jill to help them navigate the college recruiting process. You can call her for a FREE consultation by going to www.jhicksconsulting.com