What Makes a Champion?

Imagine for a moment that you are a champion. You are the best in your town . No, you are the best in your country. How does that make you feel? Good yeah? You are a champion. What are you the champion of? What is your major strength? Are you a good leader? A good strategist. A great tactician. A team builder perhaps. A great listener. Perhaps you have the ability to develop and grow the skills of others. Whatever it is, you have the talent to become a champion. All you need to do is to understand what it is that makes a champion. In this article we are going to introduce you to a new awareness. We are going to open up your mind to the invisible world of what makes a champion.

Personally, we think there are four major criteria that make a champion. You probably know what they are: Talent, courage, tenacity and mind set. You have each of them but do you use them?

Guess what! You have the talent to become a champion. But first it is a case of identifying what your talent is. It is easy if you have a talent for running, swimming, cycling, football or any sporting talent but we are talking of a talent that is not readily identifiable but can make you into a champion. .

Stop for a moment. We want you to take a little time and think about your own talents and qualities. Just let your mind roll back and list all your achievements. All the things never mind how big or small that YOU consider to be an achievement in your life.

Now review your list. Can you see a pattern?

Listen to yourself?? What do you feel is important to you. Be honest.

What are you good at?

What do you like doing?

Are YOU competitive?

Does your pattern and your inside voice show you, you get your kicks from helping others; being useful to society or does money motivate you?

Now you are sure you have talent. Perhaps there is a natural energy about you. A way in which others naturally listen to what you have to say. Perhaps it is an ability to make others follow you. Perhaps you are naturally persistent. You find others naturally do what you suggested. Perhaps you have natural courage. Perhaps it is a talent that is easily recognisable like painting, drawing, playing football or whatever.

Whatever it is you are now able to identify your key core skills, your talents. The skills that you use when you are functioning at your full potential.

But there is a long road between identifying your talents and being a champion. If you want to be a champion you need to harness other talents. Those that have been on idle or haven't been used at all because you are totally preoccupied with a certain way of living. Those that have, for whatever reason, been pushed into the background and forgotten. In our experience, people often sabotage their own efforts. They are aware they have special skills, abilities and qualities but they keep them turned off most of the time. They go through life only make effort when they want to make effort. Then and only then do they fully utilise their hidden talents. At that time, and that time only, are they at their most alert.

Think for a moment and list your hidden, natural talents that you know exist but are not being fully used.

The point is now you have written down and accepted both your hidden and surface skills, abilities and qualities do you have the courage to use them to reach your full potential. Do you have the courage to succeed?

Do you have the courage to accept that there is a different life out there for you? A life where you are a champion. A person who lives or wants to live to their full potential.

Do you have the courage to go against the 'natural' flow dictated by others? To overcome the dream stealers with their pronouncements of gloom. For example: "you can't make money out of that". "You are not good enough". "Do you know how many people have tried to make a living doing that?" Etc etc etc. All destined to stop you from fulfilling your potential.

If you want to reach your potential. If you want to succeed. You have to have courage. The courage to focus on your skills, abilities, qualities, talents and stay with them and work out how you can best live a full life rather than one you feel you ought to live in order to keep others happy and make a living.

Now you have identified all your attributes and have the courage to move forward do you have the tenacity to be a champion?. Do you have the determination to keep going when all appears to be against you? Can you dig deep and keep focussed on your dream when others are putting you down? Tenacity means the ability to keep focussed on your dream. To be determined to improve your skills, talent and abilities day in day out. To Practice. For example: A musician has a talent, skills and abilities but is useless without daily practice. Do you have the tenacity, the determination to practice your skills daily? If you are a writer do you write every day? If you are a salesperson do you practice your product knowledge everyday? Are you totally aware of your competitors product? Are you aware of the most likely questions a potential customer is likely to ask? Do you talk to someone everyday about you product? If you are a web designer do you practice every day? Are you a member of numerous forums to hone your skills?

Whatever your skill is, whatever your talent is, do you practice it every day. Do you constantly search the web and other periodicals for information about your skills and abilities to make you better than everyone else? Or are you satisfied with your level of skill? Are you driven to be a champion or do you accept second, third, fourth?.place?

What is your mindset? What are the thoughts that run your life? Are they negative or positive? Do you tell yourself that providing you scrape by all is well? If only I can earn $20,000 dollars a year I will be OK. Or do you tell yourself to use your abilities, skills and qualities to the full each and every day? Whatever motivates you; money, prestige, social conscience, whatever, look at your mindset? Do you have the thoughts of a champion or the thoughts of a competitor?.

So what makes champions? Talent, Courage, Tenacity and Mindset. The ability to constantly make an effort. The ability to work at what you want. The ability to believe in yourself. The ability to keep going when others have thrown in the towel. The ability to realise that you can achieve your dream. The ability to keep focussed. Talent and mental strength. The willingness to keep practicing, keep developing your talent irrespective of what others say. You have the ability. You have the talent. All you have to do is believe in yourself.

What makes a champion? The invisible world of Talent, Courage, Tenacity and Mindset. This is what makes a champion.

Good Luck

Graham and Julie

To improve your intuition, initiative and energy levels please go to: http://www.desktop-meditation.com. It's free.

---

Maximizing Your Potential by Definition

Someone once pointed out to me that in many of my presentations focusing on my theme, Maximizing Your Potential, I did not define potential specifically. Allow me to do so now.Whenever I refer... Read More

Tony Robbins - 10 Lessons I Learned From Anthony Robbins

Tony Robbins has been an inspiration for millions. Love him and his philosophy or not, it is undeniable that he has had a positive impact on millions of people. He has sold over... Read More

Christian Gladiators? Athletics as a Metaphor for the Christian Lifestyle

When Paul first arrived in Corinth in the middle of his second missionary journey, Acts 18:2-3 reports that he joined Aquila and Priscilla in the occupation of making tents. This fits in well... Read More

Finding Direction: Finding Passion Series - 2 of 3

In order to find the right direction for ourselves, we have to do some soul searching. What is it I want to accomplish? Why? What kind of person do I want to become?... Read More

Motivation: Tearing Down Your Own Limitations

Q.: I've always been sort of cynical about all this motivational stuff. Lots of rah-rah but no how-to. Now I see all these commercials that talk about no limits, no boundaries, etc. But... Read More

Are You Still Stuck on Still?

Are you still "stuck on still?" If so, don't let fear, doubt or disappointment rob you of your future, or keep you from your desires. Instead, see yourself as the person that you... Read More

How Much Risk Is Too Much To Take?

The ladder was braced against the railings going to the basement. I started climbing up. I had to get to the ceiling and this was my Rube Goldberg way of doing it without... Read More

Mortgage Marketing - How to Maximize Your Motivation

Do you have the motivation to succeed in the mortgage industry? Without the drive to succeed you will surely fail.Did you know you can create the motivation you need?I know that sounds odd,... Read More

Procrastination

Allow me to start this with a quote:To think too long about doing a thing often becomes its undoing. ~Eva Young"I'll do it tomorrow". Does this sound familiar? Getting something done is easy... Read More

The Power Of Purpose

The manifestations of motiveA man is captive within himself. He dwells in a freedom which is confirmed to bounds, he breathes in an ambience ensnared to limits, he nurtures a shriveled valiance with... Read More

Hey CyberJunkie, Clean that Booger off Your Nose!

Well....., I got some good news and I got some bad news. It's come to my attention that some of you want to be cyberjunkies. Which do you want first? I'll give you... Read More

Self Confidence : The Importance of Will-Power

The importance of will-power is recognized by most men, yet few deliberately give any time or thought to its development. Why we resist one thing and yield to another may be due to... Read More

14 Reasons To Get Motivated And Stay Motivated

Why should you bother to spend your valuable time to learn how to get motivated and stay motivated?Here?s why.Your quality of life will change dramatically when you take charge of how motivated you... Read More

The Reason Nothing Happens - Is Because Nothing Is Happening!

I hear many clients declare how boring and stagnant their lives have become. As they disclose their concerns, the answer usually bubbles near the surface, but never quite makes it to the top.... Read More

What Do You Truly Value Most?

Believe it or not, values are in the core of all of us. These underrated rankings tell more about us than we could ever imagine. Yet, many of us overlook this extremely important... Read More

What Comes First the Action or the Feeling?

In other words, it is in the "doing" that we appreciate and learn the meaning of an action or activity, not simply in thinking about it.It's the action that preceeds the "feeling," whether... Read More

Ability, Motivation, and Attitude

"Ability is what you're capable of doing. Motivation determines what you do. Attitude determines how well you do it." Lou HoltzThere are three primary aspects of your life that will determine whether or... Read More

Entrepreneurs: Take Action Over Inspiration Every Time!

"Accept the challenges so that you may feel the exhilaration of victory!" General George S. PattonWhen choosing a senior quote, this one jumped right at me. I was ready to conquer the world,... Read More

The Top 10 Creative Strategies for Moving into Action and For Getting Bottom Line Results

Your ability to move into action and to achieve bottom line results rests in the power of your thinking. These ten strategies will support you in transforming your desires into concrete action.1. Expose... Read More

Action vs. Apathy - Feeling Powerless? Get Moving!

How many times have you felt truly defeated by the circumstances in your life? You know, the "I don't know why I bother to keep trying, I'm going back to bed and staying... Read More

The Ripple Effect: Small Steps Lead to Big Results

"We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence then, is not an act, but a habit." -AristotleProcrastination is the single habit at the root of so many problems that plague all of us at... Read More

The Top Ten Strategies to Employ When You Feel Like Quitting

Ever feel like quitting? "Are you kidding?" you ask, "A better question would be, 'How many times TODAY have I felt like quitting?' " Sure. We've all felt like "throwing in the towel"... Read More

Ahead of the Curve to be on Top

I once heard a statement that no matter how good you think you are, there is always someone else who is better. This appears to be a pessimistic view even to a point... Read More

Fear Emotions - Positive or Negative?

What is fear's purpose? How do you handle it? While I am working in my pest control business, I meet people on an almost daily basis who are influenced by negative fear thoughts... Read More

Hurry Up And Procrastinate

I've been meaning to write this column, but I keep putting it off. There always seems to be something better or more important or easier to write about.Everybody is rushing to enter the... Read More

Commit to Doing 80%

Instead of trying to be perfect, it is better to do your best, and often your best doesn't look like going all out all the time. This is especially true when you are... Read More

Letting Events Control Your Life ... Dropping The Negatives And Moving On!

It's interesting to note how we sometimes become so inundated with events in our lives that we allow them to become our lives. Instead of enjoying and nurturing the life we have, we... Read More

The Dream I Nearly Gave Up

Hello again to you my loyal readers. My very first article which I published sometime last year dealt with the topic of positive thinking and success. Today I am going to talk to... Read More

Success Secrets - Achieving Ultimate Success

I hope you're having an AWESOME week!Let me first say that Lou & I really enjoy getting all the feedback and suggestions from you. It's fantastic stuff.Onward.Last night I was cleaning up my... Read More