Champions aren’t born, they’re created through the fire of adversity, the storms of life and the winds of change.
I’m not sure who said that so I’ll just take credit for it. They won’t mind anyway. Who said it isn’t nearly as important as the impact of what it means. I’m reading a great book called “How Champions Think” by Dr Bob Rotella. I suggest you pick up a copy today. His other books “Putting Out of Your Mind” and “Golf is Not A Game of Perfect” changed my approach to golf but it may not be as applicable to you in this moment. But feel free to read those as well. But in “How Champions Think” his premise is this: the way you think about what you do is more valuable and will produce more results than the talent or skills you possess required to accomplish what you do. (Take a breathe and reread that as many times as you need to.)
Dr. Rotella says champions see things through the lens of what they can do not what they haven’t done. He says they embrace being greater today than they were yesterday. (Seems like I’ve heard someone else say that too.) This hit me pretty hard-they recognize their shortcomings BUT DON’T DWELL ON THEM. Woah. How many times have you failed in your diet, your workouts, your business, your parenting, your marriage or your faith and once you recognized it, you dwelled on it. You brooded over it. You wept over it. You regretted it. You hated it. Raise your hand if that’s you. Look around. See, you’re not alone.
Well today, I release you from that. I speak life into the dead places of your life. I speak hope into the hopeless places of your life. I speak joy into the depressed places of your life and I speak peace into the chaotic places of your life.
Life hasn’t been easy and you’ve been dealt a tough hand. Instead of dwelling on it, recognize it and move on. How long will you dwell on the thing that’s gone? Your first marriage is over. Your business lost 40% in the first quarter. You’ve gained back 27lbs. I empathize with you. But it’s in the past and reliving it over and over will not change it. Changing the way you think about it will.
Storms of life -they arrive with a vengeance but hold on, you can withstand it.
Fires of adversity-they rage untamed but press on, you will come out unharmed.
Winds of change-they blow with uncertainty but stand tall, you’ll grow because of it.
But only if you change the way you see things. How you see those storms, fires and winds will determine how you think which then gives way to how you act and overcome.
Champions think different. They rise above those who said they couldn’t. They attempt things others really wouldn’t. Champions look at obstacles as a way to develop character. They look at adversity as a way to prove what their made of. They utilize the tools and implement hustle and grit. Champions are made. Today, be the champion you want to be. Be the champion you believe you are. No matter where you were born or who your parents were or what you been through, you ARE a champion. So believe like it, think like it and then act like it. Champions weren’t born, they were created.