It’s April and most people think of spring, warmer weather, Easter, or spring break. I, however, think of basketball. As I write these very words there are games being played on my TV. If you live in the tri-state region, I bet you’ve been engrossed, or at least heard of, basketball this past month or maybe been glued to your TV too. As I watch and listen to these kids play, you can’t help but see the heart, the determination, and the effort these teams and coaches put into their quest for the championship. You may not be an athlete, or even like the game, but you can’t help but enjoy watching a champion. In life, in business, or in college basketball, all champions carry much of the same attributes. Take a look at your own achievements. Do you see a champion? If you don’t think you have the attributes to be a champion, take another look. Champions are not born. They are built. The skills, habits, and mindset are trained and practiced until they reach ultimate potential and become champions.
- Champions expect to win.
When a champion walks onto a court or into a meeting they have already played out the winning shot in their minds. They have built the habits through practice of seeing what a win will look like, feel like. They expect to win so much they are usually surprised when they lose! In the boardroom, in the gym, or on the field, a champion has rehearsed this scene. They’ve thought of what the others will do in the room and have gone through the realm of possibilities. They’re prepared and expect a victory.
- Champions focus on what they get to do, not what they have to do.
Champions view the process as a gift. They are grateful for each step. They often don’t love every minute of grueling practice but they do know how to embrace the suck. They see the bad days as much as a gift as the good, and they take pride in the work they’ve put in. You won’t hear them complaining about the long practice or the late nights. They see what it takes and they embark on the journey with glee.
- Champions don’t make excuses.
You won’t see a true champion complaining about the ref’s bad last call. They take full responsibility. They will always take a look at a failure as to what they could improve on. You won’t see them focusing on others or complaining. They choose to become better; more failures lead to more attempts. More attempts lead to wins. Champions will be the one asking for the ball in the last second shot.
- Champions believe in small wins.
Champions are seeking a big win, I assure you every team with an invite to the big dance is seeking a NCAA championship. What they also do is break down their journey into a series of smaller wins. They are aware of how to celebrate the victories along the way, while also keeping their eye on the big win. They see the power of the celebration in the daily grind; the daily achievement of finishing a grueling practice or making that difficult phone call.
- Champions are talking about the future.
Champions are well aware of the fears and doubts of the average man. They are not superheroes or naturally gifted. They are in tune with their self-awareness enough to face those fears. They see them, they get to know them, and they run at them head on. They believe in the wins that are to come despite the doubts. Champions always see that their best days are ahead of them and the more time passes, win or lose, they believe that they are capable of more.
- Champions build their team.
Championships are rarely won alone. They have coaches, teammates, trainers, assistants, mentors, teachers, and a whole host of other individuals making a significant impact on their ability to win. The truest trait of a champion is lifting and building those around them. They want to win but they also know that they must surround themselves with winners. Champions will hold each other accountable and bring out the best within you. They not only see your inside potential, they demand it.
Don’t get lost in the glamour of the champions on your TV or social media. Champions are all around us. It’s the local business owner who is now able to hire new people; the non-profit giving scholarships to local women; the teacher in the third grade who told you to explore writing; the boss that takes extra time to mentor a new employee. Champions are my mom rebuilding a life after the loss of a lifelong spouse. A champion is your reflection in that mirror, but you must choose to see it. You must choose to follow the roadmap and the habits of a champion. This doesn’t mean you won’t have losses or hard days, but it means you will one day hold up that trophy and be proud of who you had to become to stand here.
