Who and What is a True Champion?

Article Title: Who and What is a True Champion?
Submitted by Craig Lock
Key Words: Success, Success Principles, Motivation, Inspiration, Sports Psychology, Sport, Mind, Mind Control, Positive Thinking and Positive Psychology (enough there now, craig!)

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Other Articles are available at: http://www.selfgrowth.com/articles/user/15565
and http://www.ideamarketers.com/library/profile.cfm?writerid=981
(Personal growth, self help, writing, internet marketing, spiritual, 'spiritual writings' (how 'airey-fairey'), words of inspiration and money management, how boring now, craig!)

Publishing Guidelines:
This piece, in point-form (as with all my articles) may be freely published, electronically or in print.

"We share what we know, so that we all may grow."

*

WHO AND WHAT IS A CHAMPION?

A champion is more than a mere title. Rather, it is a set, a collection of personal qualities. What are some of these qualities that make a champion?

Firstly,
* Ability = natural TALENT... which is then developed through continual practice

* Belief in ones abilities ("believe it to achieve it")

Champions have the vital six 'C's':

* Clarity of mind (of thinking)

Clarity of purpose (keeps a champion "driving on")

Champions have a FOCUS (narrow)... putting all their energies into a single focus. (Unbalanced, obsessive... like this writer. Sorry, Marie, Gareth and Sean!)

* Confidence: They have great confidence in their abilities. Self Belief is the key here.
Champions really "trust their game", especially in times of pressure... "when the heat is really on".

Champion racing drivers possess great powers of concentration, where the slightest mistake in 2 hours racing at Monaco, like being half a metre off the ideal line could send the car sliding into the Armco barriers sourrounding the track*

* Courage: Vast amounts of courage and determination in overcoming many obstacles to get to the very top of their field

* Commitment (total): Commitment to the "drudge"of continual practice - honing and developing skills. Commitment and resolve to "keep on keeping on" through the tough times.
"Tough times don't last, but tough people do."

and finally (of the "C's"),
* true champions demonstrate great consistency of performance. That is the hallmark, consistently delivering top (excellent) displays and results.

*

Then come the five "D's"

* Desire

* Discipline (self)

* Determination in overcoming disappointment(s) - how human beings can prevail over very trying circumstances.

"Your greatest obstacle can become your sweetest triumph."
- Lance Armstrong

* Desperation: "How much do you want it?" (“God responds to desperation”):

* Dedication (= hard work): "What are you prepared to sacrifice to achieve success?"

“Stay focussed, dedicated and motivated.”

- tennis star Novak Djkovic

Tenacity in overcoming adversity.

“I hated every minute of training, but I said, ''Don't quit. Suffer now and live the rest of your life as a champion.''
- Muhammed Ali

(Keep on writing then, craig!) #

"A wish is just a wish, A New Years Resolution is just a
resolution. Goals have deadlines and are stepping stones
down the path, the stair-case to your dreams."

"Meeting a goal takes dedication, effort and sacrifice and
all that it takes to turn a goal into a dream is TIME."
- craig

* Mental strength... to handle the intense pressures of competition

* Unity of effort: The ability to work with others (ie teamwork); because you can't make it on your own. Everyone has different skills and abilities - that is what makes them unique!

"And in this there is for us mere mortals a sobering humility in the knowledge that they have not just had the gifts, but were prepared to work far beyond the normal physical and mental boundaries to develop them to the full extent of their powers."
- fine writing by Ian Gillies writing about former All-Black rugby player Ian Kirkpatrick in the Gisborne Herald (web site www.gisborneherald.co.nz/article/?id=17486 )

* the "Will-to-win"
"Strength does not come from physical capacity. It comes from an indomitable will."
- Mahatma Gandhi (and Lance Armstrong)

Champions have to have the skill and the will. But the will must be stronger than the skill."
- Muhammad Ali

* P= Persistence
Champions succeed where so many others give up.

Still you don't have to come first... at first. Just keep your torch shining the longest and brightest... then you''ll be a winner , a champ in the game of life

And finally

* Inspiration. ("I don't wait to get inspired, but once I start work, writing, the inspiration simply comes, arising in my consciousness"- anon).

'Leap and the net will appear.'

Champions are consistent. They usually deliver elite performances... year after year.
When things look bleak and "the chips are down", champions rise to the occasion, just like cream rises to the top.

NB: Champions have an unconquerable spirit.

Conquering others requires force. Conquering oneself requires strength."
- Lao Tzu; Tao Te Ching

The highest mountain we have to conquer is our OWN!

Finally, champions have a great sense of purpose, ie. a life mission. True champions have a strong commitment to pursue an endeavour... one that is born out of their sense of purpose and that lasts a life-time.

"This is what I was put on earth to do."

There is unlimited potential in the human condition. ANY individual human being can cultivate the values of self respect, self-reliance and self discipline, which will greatly enhance their life. Like a champion, 'ordinary' (what's that!) people also have great capacity and potential to achieve... even the "extra-ordinary" in life.

"A glorious destiny that rises above the limitless horizons of the human condition."

Discover, then celebrate the champion of life in YOU...

because

“YOU (and everyone) are all champions in your own way!"

Shared by Craig Lock ("Information and Inspiration Distributer, Writer for Self Empowerment, Incorrigible Encourager and People-builder")

"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 last-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."
- Muhammad Ali

"You are not what you think you are; but what you think, you ARE!"

"Success is to be measured not so much by the position one has reached in life, as by the obstacles which he (or she) has overcome, while trying to succeed."
- Booker T. Washington

"The task ahead of you can always be overcome by the power within you...and the often seemingly difficult or even "impassible") path ahead of you is never as steep with the great spirit that lies within you."
- craig

"If you think you are beaten, you are.
If you think you dare not, you do not.
If you would like to win but think you can not
It is almost a cinch you will not.

If you think you will lose, you are lost.
For out in the world we find
Success begins with a fellow's will;
It is all in the state of mind.

If you think you are outclassed, you are.
You have got to think to rise.
You have got to be sure of yourself
Before you can win the prize.

Life's battles do not always go
To the stronger or faster man.
But sooner or later the man who wins is
The one who thinks he can."

- Author Unknown

Ïf you can dream it,

You can DO it!

"Together, one mind, one life at a time, let's see how many people we can impact, encourage, empower, uplift and perhaps even inspire to reach their fullest potentials."

PPS:

THE CHAMPIONS CREED

"Never underestimate your opponent.
Work on your weaknesses until they become your strengths.
Remember that a great effort is usually the result of a great attitude.
Dedicate yourself to a mighty purpose.
Win with humility, lose with grace.
Ignore those who discourage you.
Remember that how you conduct yourself out of the pool is just as important as how you conduct yourself in the pool.
Talent is God-given – so be humble.
Fame is man-given – so be thankful.
Remember when you’re not working to improve, your competition is.

Always give your best.

PRACTICE like a champion.
SWIM like a champion.
LIVE like a champion."

- anon

"GOOD IS NOT GOOD ENOUGH WHEN GREATNESS IS POSSIBLE

"Great people are just ordinary people, who usually find themselves in extra-ordinary situations...and who possess extra-ordinary amounts of determination."

"I am a champion.
I believe in myself.
I have the will to win.
I set high goals for myself.
I surround myself with winners.
I’m cool, positive, and confident.
I’m willing to pay the price of success.
I stay relaxed and in control at all times.
I focus all my energy on the job at hand.
I take responsibility for all of my results.
I have the courage to endure and persist.
I vividly imagine what victory will feel like.
I am a champion and I will win."

Three-Time Olympian - Ruben Gonzalez
www.OlympicMotivation.com

OK, then I'll just add a bit to the article

PPS:

Thanks for everything, dad. See the dream never died - it's just taken another course!

craig

"Sometimes you have to give up the life you had planned... in order to live the life you were meant to live."

"I'd rather attempt something great and fail, rather than attempting nothing and succeed."
- Norman Vincent Peale

"Some people see things as they are and say 'why?'. I see the dreams that never were and say 'why not?'"
- Bobby Kennedy

“The empires of the future are the empires of the mind”

- Winston Churchill (in his speech to Harvard University in 1943)

#
As they carry me to my deathbed, I'll be saying:
"Lord,
Can you just give me one more hour to finish off this one last article, or book.... PLEASE!"
- craig (as inspired by the quote of singer, Barry Manilow)

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