“You don’t need a man, Liz. You need a CHAMPION.”
–Felipe in Eat, Pray, Love
The moment those words left his lips, I felt something move in my spirit. She looked at him and 1) knew he was right and 2) recognized that he was her champion. There is an indescribable…something! An ease, a confidence, a calm about him that stirs fear, curiosity, and peace within her. Not every man (or woman) is a champion.
Our beloved former Houston Rockets head coach, Rudy Tomjanovich would always say, “Never underestimate the heart of a champion.” Have you ever wondered what really makes a champion? What are the characteristics? What are the qualities that one must possess?
Three key components were consistent throughout my research on the development of a champion.
- State of Mind. Ability to focus on a certain task and perform that task no matter what, under any conditions with a deliberate attention.
- High Level of Perception. Perception is the ability to accept, absorb, recognize, identify, distinguish and differentiate the information that comes from all directions at high speed. The highest levels will elevate you to the next level of performance and opens the doors to new possibilities. A champion's perception allows him/her to compete on another level, because their perception of movement and what needs to happen is backed up by a state of mind that allows the possibility of going beyond the perceived limits. And then the acutely developed perception becomes a guide in swiftly choosing and taking the next required step.
- Ability to perform the action. To produce the results. The ability to do what needs to be done, when it matters. This last, but not least characteristic brings it all together.
With a proper state of mind, a high level of awareness/perception and the ability to pull it off under pressure, one can become unstoppable! If the above paragraphs were too wordy, let me simplify.
Champion’s Checklist:
— The Ability to Focus
— Mental Toughness
— Perception
— Hope/Goal Setting Ability
— Intelligence
— Ability to Cope
— Competitiveness
— Confidence
— Coachability
— High Drive
— Problem-solver
— Independent, yet collaborative
— Intrinsic Motivation
— Optimism
— Action
— Discipline
— Adaptive Perfectionism
— Emotional Control: Ability to Relax and Activate
— Considerate
— Consistency
— Work ethic
— High Standards
— Follow-through on commitments
I encourage each of you to search your heart and apply your inner champion to all aspects of your life (family, work, relationships, hobbies, and friendships) In the words of Muhammad Ali, “Champions aren't made in gyms. Champions are made from something they have deep inside them: A desire, a dream, a vision. They have to have late minute stamina, they have to be a little faster, they have to have the skill and the will. But the will must be stronger than the skill. “
-Nicole
