"If you're a champion, you have to have it in your
heart."
~ Chris Everett
A former World No. 1 professional tennis player from the United States
(b. 1954)
January can be a time for setting
goals, making plans, and even stating New Year's resolutions. It is not the
change of date, or year that makes it the "right" time to do your
best, or set your sights on being a "Champion" of discipline, weight
loss, outreaching to old friends, or spending time with family.
Sometimes a new year gives us ambition or hope that sadly fades as days pass or
old habits return...all to leave us feeling unaccomplished, and even
un-champion-like! Let's not let that happen!
So how can that disappointment be avoided? Instead of setting yourself up to
potentially fail, set yourself up to succeed...in a way that let's your inner
Champion emerge. Some steps for inner Champion exiting through words, actions
and results include:
1) Define what a Champion is for you.
2) Look yourself in the mirror (literally and conceptually) to see what and who
is there.
3) Be realistic about your interests, your capabilities, your ambitions, and
your willingness to take action.
4) Be honest about what you don't like, don't do well, and what you don't want
to do.
5) Put aside others' images, expectations, and pressures on you.
6) Imagine what you want to be, do, and have that will make a difference in
your life from a confidence, courage, and champion-perspective.
7) Share the ideas/plans with someone, or some-ones you like, admire, trust and
respect.
8) Act on your imagination, desires, and your overall champion plan.
9) Reward yourself with recognition of progress...not perfection.
Reflect the Champion you are in your attitude, actions and your results...as
that Champion emerges in ways you may have never expected!