If you think you are a loser, you train or work like a loser i.e. sloppily and half-heartedly. If you think you are a winner you train like one i.e. with maximum focus, great expectations, excitement and consistent effort. This article takes a look at why people think like winners or losers and what they can do about it.
Steve Siebold describes in his recent book -"177 Mental Toughness Secrets of the World Class" - how he wanted to be a tennis champion. He had all the talent and the desire necessary but at times he lacked the belief that he was a potential champion. He writes:
"When I believed I was a champion, I trained like a champion. When I believed I was washed up, I trained like a loser."
When he was only ten years old, he defeated nearly everyone he played and, as a result, was thinking like a champion. He expected to win and so he trained and worked hard as winners should.
As he grew older his rankings started to drop and he no longer expected to win and so he started training like a loser instead of a winner.
He still had the desire to be a champion but so do lots of people. He believes that what made the difference was his belief in himself or his lack of it.
He lost some of his belief in himself through associating too much with what he calls the 'middle class' instead of the 'world class'. The middle class are too easily satisfied with mediocre results. The world class are only content when they become champions in whatever they are doing whether it be playing tennis or making money.
When I went to school at the age of 11, I worked hard and did all the work set with full attention and the desire to do well. I did so well that the principal of the school suggested I move up a whole year.
This was a mistake. I now came under the influence of class mates who did not like the fact that I had jumped a year. Some of them called me a swat and a bighead. Maybe they were right but I don't think so. Working hard was frowned on by this bunch.
They changed my thinking about myself so much that instead of thinking of myself as a champion student, I saw myself as some kind of a freak for working so hard. My effort dropped along with my self-image. Never underestimate the influence of those around you. I was lucky in the end to pass my exams and get to university.
It has taken me many years to regain belief in myself. I was helped by the great American positive thinkers like Norman Vincent Peale, Frank Bettger and William James.
One English writer who has also helped greatly in this is the multimillionaire Stuart Goldsmith. His book 'The Midas Method' explains how most of us are brainwashed at an early age into thinking there is an invisible ceiling to our progress which we will never break through.
Once we realize that this ceiling is only a figment of the imagination of ourselves and our so-called 'friends', we will be able to break through our limitations and achieve world class results which will astonish us.
We need to re-examine our beliefs about ourselves and to realize that many of them originated in the beliefs of people who thought that great results were only for the few and that our dreams were just 'pie in the sky'.
Instead of listening to the middle class or the poverty class (those who are not even aware of the possibility that they could be champions), let's start listening to the world class. Let's replace negative beliefs about ourselves with empowering ones and then start working hard to achieve our dreams.
We don't need a degree in psychology to do all this. A little bit of commonsense and observation can show us the way. It also helps to read the books of people like Steve Siebold and Stuart Goldsmith and - if I dare say it without being called a bighead - myself!
You may or may not have access to world class neighbours or friends but you do have easy access to world class writers and thinkers through the media of books, audios and video tapes. The internet has, of course, widened that access exponentially.
It is high time you and I joined the world class and made the most of the championship potential which is there in all of us.
About the author
John Watson is an award winning teacher and fifth degree black belt martial arts instructor. He has recently written two books about achieving your goals and dreams and several other books on success and motivation.
They can be found on his website http://www.motivationtoday.com along with a weekly motivational message and several other motivational books.
The title of the first book is "36 Laws To Ignite Your Inner Power And Realize Your Dreams Now! - Acronyms, Stories, Pictures And Quotes...Easy To Remember And Use Everyday To Grab Your Life And Soar With The Eagles"
The book can be found at this URL: http://www.motivationtoday.com
The book uses acronyms, stories, pictures and quotations to help readers remember 36 laws that can gradually transform your life if you apply them.
Ezine editors / Site owners
Feel free to reprint this article in its entirety in your ezine or on your site but please include the resource box above.
Do you feel that your negative thoughts are holding you... Read More
Great spirits have always encountered violent opposition from mediocre minds.... Read More
Changing Negative Thoughts into Positive Thoughts is a key lesson... Read More
"If you don't like something, change it. If you can't... Read More
? If it takes me to periphery (Drifted into continuous... Read More
Well you know about the young hero who saved his... Read More
With Thanksgiving approaching, I thought it would be especially appropriate... Read More
Few people are aware of the thoughts that pass through... Read More
"In life, if you give yourself a concession, you'd take... Read More
Being a mom can take a toll on your body,... Read More
Uncle Liam was very kind to me again. He gave... Read More
We all know them. We all have somebody like them... Read More
The others in the raft didn't seem to share Eddie's... Read More
If your life is difficult--if it's challenging, exasperating, and vexatious--... Read More
How are you? Where do you get a positive attitude... Read More
I don't want to say people are basically negative but?..if... Read More
I'm often asked how it is that I stay so... Read More
With the probable exception of some basic instincts ? or... Read More
Quote of the week:"Of all the attitudes we can acquire,... Read More
You don't need to a piece of paper to prove... Read More
We have often missed the mark because we believe we... Read More
Turn negative thoughts into positive ones.Negative thoughts can be very... Read More
Lately, there has been a collective challenge to avoid being... Read More
Most of what we've been taught about how to be... Read More
Unhappy? Stressed out? Do you feel you not only want... Read More
express cleaning service Arlington Heights ..As I swooshed down the Zoom Flume water slide at... Read More
Humans tend to categorize things by large or small, bright... Read More
Do you ever find yourself thinking, "Life has taught me... Read More
Music penetrates our mental barriers and influences the deepest areas... Read More
With the beginning of a new year, are you happy... Read More
In the latest and final Star Wars saga, Anakin Skywalker... Read More
Are feelings and attitudes the same thing or different? Does... Read More
All the problems that any individual has in their lives... Read More
I'm sure most of you remember the children's book about... Read More
Occasionally people will ask me how I keep a positive... Read More
The Alchemists of old worked over many years, centuries, in... Read More
Lately, there has been a collective challenge to avoid being... Read More
We all have a unique way of communicating our story,... Read More
A Model of the dysfunctional, unconscious human psyche. A way... Read More
Your ability to forgive those who have hurt you in... Read More
As a financial economist my motivation has long been to... Read More
I Hear Voices?This is not a statement of paranormal; it... Read More
There are only two emotions we can experience; love or... Read More
WE ARE ALL THINKING ALL OF THE TIME.Can you believe... Read More
This is a technique that sounds a bit silly when... Read More
Before we are able to use the Universal Thought System... Read More
You wake up in the morning sleepy and fatigued; the... Read More
Quote of the week:"Of all the attitudes we can acquire,... Read More
That strange, gut-wrenching feeling you have is not the sushi... Read More
I loved Norman Vincent Peale's, Power of Positive Thinking as... Read More
Positive Attitude Tips |