Responding Like A Champion

We are living in an unprecedented moment – or so it’s being said.

Truthfully, it is indeed a challenging time. The question that arises for us is – How are we going to handle it?

Digging into my first book Make Choices like a Champion: Three Things You Must Know to Take on Tough Decisions and Triumph where I looked at Champions and how they perform, I found some interesting thoughts.

First, a few comparisons:

• While others around us may see scarcity and lack, Champions tend to hold to an Abundance, or Prosperity attitude;
• While others around us may act out of fear, Champions choose to operate out of an expectation of growth;
• While others around us focus on the problems, Champions focus on the solutions.

Ralph Waldo Emerson sums up what I think is a Champion’s view of our circumstances:

“Nothing external to you has any power over you.”

This doesn’t mean we don’t take the precautions and protocols that have been established previously. It means we don’t allow the situation to dominate or limit our thinking.

The key is to put today’s problem into proper perspective relative to the bigger picture, that looks past the immediate perceived problem.

(It seems I put a lot of ‘P’ words into the preceding paragraphs – which must mean something Positive!)

I ran another quote in my Champions book.  It’s been a few years, but it still applies:

“Creative people rarely need to be motivated – they have their own inner drive that refuses to be bored. They refuse to be complacent. They live on the edge, which is precisely what is needed to be successful and to remain successful.”

The author of that quote?  Donald J. Trump, now the 45th President of the United States, then identified in the book as a real estate developer.

Champions evolve from competing to creating.

Most people tend to play it safe and to avoid overt risk. That’s normal – for most people.

Champions will rise through the Five Levels of Mental Toughness:

1. Playing to NOT LOSE – I must perform, or I am in trouble.
2. Playing to CRUISE – As long as I can perform, I can cruise.
3. Playing to IMPROVE – Maybe I can accomplish more than I thought.
4. Playing to COMPETE – I think I can be the best!
5. Playing to WIN – I’m not going to fail, I’m only going to learn and grow!

What level are you at?

So? Get out there, and WIN!

(Kindle edition or paperback)