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.
Everyone of us has the potential to successfully more through... Read More
So, do you love yourself?Shouldn't really be a difficult question... Read More
Looking around at our circumstances we may see only mountains... Read More
You may be facing a type of disappointment, frustration, loss,... Read More
Need a way to make your life a better place... Read More
As I swooshed down the Zoom Flume water slide at... Read More
Do you ever find yourself thinking, "Life has taught me... Read More
Many people would say that it is absolute madness to... Read More
Why do we have such a downer on Pollyanna? After... Read More
Who are the Whiners? Whiners are the people who always... Read More
The easiest, most exciting adventure in consciousness follows the lamplit... Read More
Have you ever known someone like this? "A person who... Read More
We hear a lot these days about accepting responsibility for... Read More
A balanced life not only leaves you feeling more fulfilled;... Read More
How would your life shift if you moved into what... Read More
Bernard always had a problem with money.He was always lacking... Read More
Let's say you're ready to change some aspect of your... Read More
I am an educator as well as a coach and... Read More
With the beginning of a new year, are you happy... Read More
One of my class fellows was really tensed, when asked... Read More
Dear Friends,All human beings have a unique ability right from... Read More
The way to define your personality is to refine your... Read More
So, is this really where you thought you'd be? You're... Read More
How are you? That's a loaded question, and I'll tell... Read More
I was always somebody who felt quite sorry for myself,... Read More
affordable house cleaning Mundelein ..In my years as a psychologist, I have come to... Read More
WhenWhen we have feelings for someone or something, we have... Read More
Early in my career a position became available which I... Read More
Ever witnessed an incident that needed to be reported to... Read More
I've had several coaching clients come to me who, while... Read More
Fear is a double-edged sword. It can hold you back... Read More
Smart folk have always realised how vital it is to... Read More
Visualization is the art of using ones imagination to influence... Read More
"Who am I fooling?" "I'm a loser," "I'm too old,"... Read More
Being a mom can take a toll on your body,... Read More
"Most overnight successes are just plain lucky. Just ask any... Read More
How are you? That's a loaded question, and I'll tell... Read More
I'm a working mother with a preschooler, worrying about Mom... Read More
Celebrating is a skill that adults with ADD (Attention Deficit... Read More
When I was a young man, even a teenager for... Read More
Dr. Phil says each of us has a personal "truth"... Read More
Spring is here at last! The season brings with it... Read More
There are times that we encounter fearful thoughts that can... Read More
At some point in our careers, we may find ourselves... Read More
If you suffer with or have in the past suffered... Read More
Life shouldn't be so complicated. Have you ever wondered why... Read More
No one likes rejection. And yet it happens. Here's how... Read More
In the self-help and wellness industry, a mission has been... Read More
"Someone was hurt before you; wronged before you, hungry before... Read More
Do you realize how good you have it? Yes, everyone... Read More
Positive Attitude Tips |