How to Discover the Champion in You and Achieve Your Goals

Have you ever felt like your back was against the wall? You didn’t know what to do? Everyone goes through periods when they feel pressured.

Why do some people succeed when their back is against the wall, while others fold?

There are many examples of how people perform when they are backed against a wall. Consider how Tim Tebow, quarterback of the Denver Broncos, has been highly criticized regarding his skills as a NFL quarterback. Many have indicated that he should not be a quarterback in the NFL, and that he could not deliver, Tim Tebow found himself with his back against a wall on January 7, while playing in an AFC Wild Card game against the highly favored, Pittsburgh Steelers. 

How did Tim Tebow fare against the Pittsburgh Steelers?  What did Tebow do?  In the overtime meeting of these two teams from his first play, Tim Tebow threw an 80-yard touchdown, ending   the game.  Denver upset Pittsburgh, and won the game. 

How do you respond when your back is against the wall?

Do you drown yourself in self-pity? Negativity won’t help.
This is the time to give it your all and never stop believing in your ability to reach your desired outcome.
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Do you recall Game Six of the World Series in October 2011?  It was the bottom of the 9th inning: two outs, two strikes.  The Cardinals were playing the Texas Rangers.  The season was almost over, and Texas was about to walk away with the World Series Championship ring.

What could they do with their back against the wall?  David Freese, a hometown guy, hit a walk off homerun and the Cardinals won.  The Cardinals ultimately went to game seven and beat the Texas Rangers and became World Series Champions.

When you are down to the last plays of the fourth quarter in situations in your life, what do you do?

Perhaps it is the last test in the semester and you need to earn an “A” to pass the class. It could be the end of the quarter and you need to close deals to meet your quota. It could be a deadline you need to meet at work.

Remember the fourth quarter of Super Bowl XLII. The New England Patriots were highly favored to win over the New York Giants. However, Eli Manning’s pass to David Tyree in the final two minutes of Super Bowl XLII was a defining catch. With this catch, David Tyree leaped and pressed the ball against his helmet making a catch so spectacular that it has become known as “The Helmet Catch.” This play was key in the Giants’ 17-14 upset victory over the New England Patriots.

How unlikely, for David Tyree to be a hero in this game. During the 2007 season, David Tyree was a rare target for Eli Manning catching only four passes and no receptions for touchdowns. However, he is remembered as the player who caught the Giants’ famous Helmet Catch.

These are all examples of how champions respond when their backs are against the wall, but what makes them different from you and me? 

Nothing. There is no difference.

Athletes train and dream for the time when they will have their moment to hit the winning homerun like David Freese, to throw the winning touchdown like Tim Tebow, or make a sensational catch like David Tyree in the Super Bowl.  This is what they live for.  This is what they practice for. 

When you feel pressured and are not reaching your goals, try these four steps to discover the Champion in you: (1) Dig Deep and Remain Committed (2) Re-examine Your Goals (3) Visualize Your Desired Outcome and (4) Keep Believing in You.

You have to dig deep and think like a champion.  Everyone has some champion qualities in them. However, during challenging times, you have to dig deep, work harder and commit to staying focused on your goals.  It is your level of commitment that ultimately distinguishes whether you accomplish your goals or give up.  It is your level of resilience that allows you to say “I can” rather than “I cannot.” 

Always keep your goals in sight. This is the ability to say “I will keep preparing,” and “I will continue to perfect my skills even though I may not be reaching my goals today.” This level of commitment will allow you to be ready when your opportunity comes. 

The next time you feel like your back is against a wall and you aren’t reaching your goals, think about how champions respond. Know that you can be a champion, and that there is a winner in you.

My prescription to discover the champion in you is to Keep Believing in You.

Start today, saying “YES” to the Champion in you!

©2012 Winifred D. Bragg, MD. All Rights Reserved.