The Mindset and Spirit of a Champion

We share what we know, so that we all may grow.”

*

THE MINDSET AND SPIRIT OF A CHAMPION

In this article we’ll look into the heads of the greatest champions… and perhaps we “ordinary” (what’s that) can learn and apply these principles in our own “top two inches”.
Here are a few thoughts on developing the right mindset, mentality to achieve “greatness” in whatever field you may choose.:

So what are the qualities, the traits (nice word that!) of a champion?
To “kick off”, here are some important “virtues”:

Firstly
* Ability = natural TALENT... which is then developed through continual practice

* BELIEF(unshakable): a passionate conviction in their abilities

* Commitment (total): Commitment to the "drudge" of continual practice - honing and developing skills. Commitment and resolve to "keep on keeping on" through the tough times.

* Clarity of mind (of thinking)
* Clarity of purpose (which keeps a champion "driving on")

* Total focus and concentration

A chrystal-clear focus on attaining their objectives (short-medium and long-term), goals and dreams. However, their main focus is on the BIG long-term goals.
Champions have a FOCUS (narrow)... putting all their energies into a single focus. (Unbalanced, obsessive... like this writer. Sorry, Marie, Gareth and Sean!)
"Ï don't want to lead a balanced life, I just want to race."
- former racing driver, Mario Andretti

Then come the "Ds":

* Discipline
They have a cast-iron determination to work really hard at their craft.
… to be the very best!

“And in this there is for us mere mortals a sobering humility in the knowledge that they have not just had the gifts, but were prepared to work far beyond the normal physical and mental boundaries to develop them to the full extent of their powers.”
- fine writing by Ian Gillies writing about former All-Black rugby player Ian Kirkpatrick in the Gisborne Herald (web site www.gisborneherald.co.nz/article/?id=17486 )

* Determination:
“He is the embodiment of grit and determination.”

* Desperation (“God responds to desperation”)

* Inspiration:
Champions have a burning fire within them. One that motivates them and inspires them to “challenge history.

* The Will to win
“He was the epitomy of the Springbok flanker: tough, indomitable and with an outstanding work ethic.”
- South African Rugby Union President Oregan Hoskins on superb Springbok flanker Rueben Kruger, who died aged 39 in January 2010.

* Tenacity (a spirit of tenacity in never giving up). Great!
A “champ” is down at times, but ever out!

Champions are intelligent people, who understand themselves – what motivates them and what “presses their hot buttons”. They know what inspires them and apply that knowledge. To do something about HOW to achieve their dreams.
They have very strong

* Mental application to the task at hand.

* They handle pressure extremely well.
Champions can bring out their “best stuff” at the right time, peaking at the biggest events.
“When it ‘comes to the crunch’ on crucial points, he has the ability to raise his game. He has an extra gear and knows, really knows that he is still going to win. “
- Pete Sampras on Roger Federer

* A “cast-iron” will

When the “chips are down”, true champions possess “true grit”, a fighting spirit to succeed against all the odds.
Champions are not made in the gym… Champions need both WILL and skill. However, the will must be stronger than the skill.”
- Muhammed Ali

* The ability to compartamentalize their thinking.
Mental application to the task at hand:
A “meticulous mind”, being able to compartamentalize different aspects of their thinking. Like three-time world motor-racing champion Scotsman, Jackie Stewart said, they have great mind management skills.

* “A “killer instinct” – the fighting ability to succeed at all costs.
Failure is not something that defines who we are (as it inevitably happens to all of us along life’s journey). Failure is simply temporary occasions we have encountered along the road to eventual success. Failure doesn’t mean that you have failed – it’s just that you haven’t succeeded… YET!
So
FAIL YOUR WAY TO SUCCESS!

* Consistency of performance. That is what characterised a person “at the very top of their game”.
They have consistency (of performance).
They are extremely precise in whatever they do… and when in the zone” they display a “metronomic” consistency in performance.
They easily get into the rhythm, then maintain it for long periods.

* Integrity: Because, if you lose that, you’ve lost everything!
“Life is measured, not in years alone, but in achievement.”
- New Zealand Grand Prix driver, Bruce McLaren, tragically killed in a testing accident in 1970… and a humble, unassuming man of great integrity.

Finally, champions have a great sense of purpose, ie. a life mission. True champions have a strong commitment to pursue an endeavour... one that is born out of their sense of purpose and that lasts a life-time.

"This is what I was put on earth to do."

Most importantly,
“Champs” have a sense of destiny.

Champions love a sense of challenge. They are inspired to test their own boundaries, their personal ceilings… continually.
“As the artist of your own life, you need a sense of destiny – no one will believe in you, if you can’t believe in yourself…first.”

And YOU too can fulfil YOUR unlimited potential and be a winner in the “game of life”!

If you can dream it, then you can DO it ”
Then when you can Do it, you too can BE the champion of your own life.

Then as the Nike dad says,
just DO IT!
Unlock YOUR potential. The sky is the limit!

Shared by “sports-fanatic couch-potato” craig
(“Information and Inspiration Distributer, Writer for Self Empowerment, Incorrigible Encourager, People-builder and Dreamer”)

“I’ve missed more than 9000 shots in my career. I’ve lost almost 300 games. Twenty-six times I’ve been trusted to take the game winning shot and missed. I’ve failed over and over again in my life. And that is why I succeed.”
- basketballer, Michael Jordan

You only fail, if you quit!
“Only when we’ve been in the deepest valley can know what it’s like to stand on the highest peak.”
- I love those inspring words from former US President, Richard Nixon

Greatness is forged in the valleys of adversity and even occasional despair.”
In the midst of difficulties and severe hardship, say “this too shall pass and will work out for my ultimate good”.

“To live your life in your own way
To reach the goals you’ve set for yourself
To be the person you want to be -
That is success.”
- author anon.

“There is one only one success: to be able to spend your life in your own way”
- Christopher Morley

“The important thing is this: to be able at any moment to
sacrifice what we are for what we could become.”
- Charles Du Bos

“The roots of true achievement lie in the will to become the best that you can become.”
- Harold Taylor

“Together, one mind, one life at a time, let’s see how many people we can impact, empower, uplift and encourage to reach their fullest potentials.”

PPS
To dearest dad, see the dream never died. It just took another course.
"Sometimes you have to give up the life you had planned... in order to live the life you were meant to live."

As Woody Allen once said:
“Life is what happens between making other plans!”