Live Like A Champion

Yesterday morning, shortly after waking up and before my first cup of coffee, I was listening to a program on my smartphone. Through my groggy, foggy, just got up mind, the speaker got my attention when he said, “Train like a champion!” He was talking about athletic performance and we frequently equate champions with athletes.

But what about us? Most of us won’t be athletic champions or even aspire to be. However, the same principles of being an athletic champion can be applied to our lives. Champion leader, champion teacher, champion entrepreneur, champion engineer, champion parent, champion spouse, champion, champion, champion. You get the picture. Champion You!

Let’s look at some of the transferable principles of champions that we can apply.

• Coaching
• Discipline/Daily Schedule
• Training
• Practice
• Equipment/Tools
• Lead by example
• Network/Friends
• Extra Effort
• Improvement/Growth
• Perseverance

Now, just to prompt our thinking on transferring these concepts from athletes to you and me, let’s review a few of them. 

• Coaches help us identify our strengths, areas we need to improve, and a strategy to enhance our skills and abilities. Even Tiger Woods and Roger Federer use coaches. My personal experience with coaches is that they enable me to progress faster than I would on my own.
• Training is part of preparation. It includes physical, mental and emotional, as well as specific skills necessary for success. Athletic champions also have mental toughness, positive attitudes, believing in themselves, etc., to be successful.
• Network/Friends - Champions hang out with other champions. They encourage, push, strategize, and bring out the best performance in each other.
• Improvement/Growth – Champions are always looking for ways to get better. 

Now let’s personalize this. We need to take the items above and ask ourselves some questions. Last night I got home late from a competition and didn’t get to bed until after midnight. At 5:30 a.m. I woke up, then started rationalizing that since I got home late I would stay in bed. But this question came to mind. Would a champion sleep in? You probably guessed it. I immediately got up and began my morning routine. 

Now look at the list above in light of your needs. What do you need to do in each area?

• Who is coaching you?
• How do you need to adjust your schedule? Where do you need more discipline?
• What training do you need?
• What and how do you need to practice?
• What additional equipment or tools do you need?
• Are you setting the example you want others to follow?
• What like-minded friends and others do you need to hang out with?
• Are you willing to sacrifice to be a champion?
• What are you doing to improve yourself?
• How will you persevere through the tough times? 

Now write down specific actions you are taking or will take in each area. Your success requires your action. 

Let’s think like a champion and be champions.

Your Encouraging Friend,

Mark Hemingway from TheEncourageTeam.com