How to Think, Perform, and Win Like a Champion
Today’s topic is brief, but don’t let that fool you. Elite athletes all understand that they need to be at the top of the pyramid to make it to the top and stay there.
The question you have to ask yourself if you’re in any way competitive in sport (or other endeavour) is…
“How are you playing?”
How You Play Determines How Good You'll Get
I know you always look forward to the antimimeticisomorphism series of blog posts, this one won’t disappoint.
Take 1 Step Back To Take 2 Steps Forward
I often tell people it’s wise to “take 1 step back to take 2 steps forward”, but it’s rare those who actually follow through. The reason is that the brain operates with what academics call “positive intent“. The brain’s desire to please itself here and now rather than later on. It’s a complex psychological force that is much more powerful and persuasive than you might think.
In squash (or tennis) for example, during a long rally, the brain will feel the fatigue and will attempt to end the point prematurely to get some rest (instant gratification) rather than play out the rally and win the point (delayed reward). It is such a powerful force that it prevents otherwise skillful players from reaching the top of the rankings.
Overcoming this force is much easier said than done.
In business it’s not all that different. Going for the quick sale rather than the long-term market share building initiatives plagues most small businesses.
So what can you do about it?
First, recognise that a change or improvement is necessary.
Second, identify what needs to change and then commit to changing it when it’s most convenient (after a tournament is preferable to doing it just before…)
Third, accept that at first, the 1 step back means you’ll lose more points before you start to win. If you’re not willing to go through that, don’t bother.
“Lose now to win later.”
Again, easier said than done, but well worth the investment and eventual rewards.
BUT and there usually is a but…
But, when you do take the 1 step back, you have to follow through to take the 2 steps forward otherwise you only end up where you were (1 back, 1 forward = zero improvement) with a lot of wasted time and effort.
Therein lies the rub. You either commit or don’t even start.
My recommendation is you make the investment during your “off season”, in-between tournaments. Give yourself as much time as possible because often, the change will take longer than anticipated.
Just remember that most athletes are not willing to do this, so when you do commit, the rewards will be there for you. Once you’ve had this much needed breakthrough, you’ll be at a whole new level, beyond your current peers.
That’s why you want to do this – to excel and become the best you can become.
This YouTube video exemplifies what all athletes seek – master of one’s self with absolute patience, balance and self control.
This is a stage performance, but the lesson rings loud and clear for all those seeking peak performance in their chosen sport.
Provided, compliments of Karen Crawford.
This video says it better than words can. Never, ever give up on anyone that has the heart and spirit of a TRUE CHAMPION.
Every day in my work as The Exponential Growth Strategist and a competitive squash player, I come across two types of people.
It’s simple: Success leaves clues. Coaches, Advisors and Mentors can help you achieve success faster and easier.
Get one that believes in you and don’t give up on yourself.
Because that’s the other lesson for today – there are people who believe in themselves NO MATTER WHAT and then there are others who give up at the first sign of struggle.
I see it every day with business people – sooo close to the “finish, touchdown” line and they give up – ON THEMSELVES.
That is the saddest day for me when I see that. Because that’s when it’s all over.
P.S.
A BIG “MERCI” to Andrew Powell in Montreal Canada for sending this to me!
I recently competed at the 2010 Pan Pacific Masters Games, in the men’s squash tournament, in the 45-49 age category, I played well with significant challenges and obstacles as I noted in a previous blog post.
While I was in beautiful Queensland, I took the day before and after the competition to relax and enjoy what the Gold Coast has to offer. One of my favorite pastimes is reading. Over the weekend, I read 3 books (I am after all a speed reader!). Two of them were on sport psychology and the third on business and strategy.
One of the strategies I use to get access to hard-to-get information, tips and strategies is to go into second hand bookstores and look for non-bestseller titles that could be a priceless source of inspiration, motivation or information.
While browsing through a second-hand bookstore in Broadbeach, I stumbled across “Venus and Serena: My seven years as the Williams sisters hitting coach” by David Rineberg.
Written in a very personal style synonymous with non-professional writers, his detailed account of their training regimen was both illuminating and revealing.
The amount of preparation that went into their ‘formation’ as future professional tennis players was as unique as it was strategic. I highly recommend it if you are an elite or otherwise competitive racket sport athlete.
There are countless lessons, tips and techniques to glean from it.
The top 3 that come to mind include:
Self-analysis, diagnosis and prognosis are a must – unless you know what you’re doing, you can’t identify what to change, fix or improve let alone how to go about that improvement. In my business coaching and mentoring that I do with my entrepreneurial clients, I serve that role.
In sport, you need to have a coach or at the very least a feedback mechanism such as video footage to dissect what you’re doing, or not doing. Objectivity of course is key!
A second book, this one a bestseller is John McEnroe’s autobiography “Serious”. Growing up with McEnroe, Connors, Lendl and Borg as the tennis elite, it was enlightening to hear his view on his ‘tantrums’ and outbursts… It’s a very valuable perspective on a lonely journey to the top and back down. Every racket sport athlete should read it, along with Pete Sampras’ “Mind Of A Champion”.
The reason I blog about these books is because as an elite athlete, your progress is not solely dependent on your physical ability, skills and aptitudes. It’s also heavily dependent on your psychological and emotional maturity and development in lockstep with your physical accomplishments. The better you get, the tougher you need to become.
Easier said than done.
One of the ways to get tougher is to understand what others have been through and how they overcame their insecurities, vulnerabilities and weaknesses. It’s a personal journey that transcends sport. The games, seasons, championships and rankings are just a score-keeping mechanism to let you know how you’re going!
There are not enough really good books out there to help you become the best athlete you can be – but I can tell you one thing, I came across a really, really good one at the Pan Pacific Games that I will introduce you to in my next blog post – you’ll have to wait for my “official review” and analysis!
Psst! I met with the author personally and guess what? He’s a multiple champion athlete and based in Rocky (That means he’s an Aussie).
For more great mental toughness books I recommend, click the hyperlink.
This blog is called the Mindset Of A Champion because it focuses on what it takes to win. In sport, but also in life. As a champion you don’t want to be…
Just something to think about now that you have the Mindset Of A Champion.
You are not striving to be perfect or better than anyone else. A true champion only seeks to become the best he/she can be.
Easier said than done.
Now that you know what to avoid, you can re-focus on what you want and strive to become…
Anyone who’s played squash realises that it can be a contact sport, but let’s hope it never degenerates to this level of protective gear requirements!
Squash Or Tennis As Contact Sports?
I took this photo at the start of a road trip from Sydney to Brisbane in 2009. Monica and I thought we’d drive up the coast at least once. It was a great trip – especially with the top down all the way there and back!
This photo vividly illustrates my signature sign off “Onward and upward!”
Almost 20 years ago, I read somewhere that having a unique and authentic sign off can have dramatic and long-lasting benefits. Onward and upward is what I am all about. As Anthony Robbins reminds us, “The past does not equal the future” and others have said “you don’t drive forward looking in the rear view mirror”.
All that being said, pushing “Onward and upward!” is a commitment, a philosophy, a mindset. Not one that can (or should) be embraced by everyone. It’s a responsibility to hold yourself to a higher standard – especially when you don’t want to.
I come across three types of people as The Exponential Growth Strategist.
Type #1: They will never achieve their dreams or reach their ultimate destiny. They don’t give up, they just never even try, thinking it’s not worth the effort. They’re right. If they don’t believe in themselves, it won’t happen.
Type #2: They would “like” their lives to change and give it a go from time to time, but always let themselves and others down by not following through. It’s like a see saw… up and down and up and down – within a range of results/weight/effort. These are the people who have some hope, but no drive. Unless they have a “defining moment” to give them the impetus to want to do what’s necessary, it just never happens and they commiserate with Type #1.
Type #3: They are driven, focused and determined to make things happen. They enjoy the process because they know success is about the journey of (self) discovery and not a destination. They are optimistic in nature seeing setbacks as lessons to be learned. They can visualise their end goals clearly. They are “at one” with their destiny that unfolds before them one day at a time.
Which type are you?
Here’s the good news – if you’re Type #2, you can shift to Type #3. Anecdotally, I have never seen a Type 1 shift to Type 2 or Type 3. They were always Type 2 to start off with. Are these types value judgments? Yes they are. Is one type better than another? No.
We are who we are and not everyone can achieve and win the game of life, business, wealth, success. There are and always will be winners and losers. The only question is which one do you want to be?
It’s your choice if your Type #2 or #3, If you’re Type #1, there is no choice, no option. You’re not officially a loser because you can’t lose if you were never in the game, on the field, on the court.
You Are What You Eat
I have to admit that I am not a nutrition expert even though I am an elite athlete. I always tell people to track and monitor what works and what doesn’t and adjust accordingly. I came across this cartoon last year when I was in North America for the 2010 Vancouver Winter Olympics. It was just so funny, I had to share it with you.
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