What it Takes to Be a Champion
The LPGA Drive On Championship was recently played at my home golf course Great Waters Course at Reynolds Lake Oconee.
The winner, Ally McDonald, had not won on Tour before. It took her four years to win her first tournament. Making the day even more special, she celebrated her 28th birthday on the final day of the tournament with her parents in attendance. She held onto the lead through much of three rounds and competed against some of the world's top golfers. What did it take for Ally to be a champion?
"You have to believe in yourself when no one else does. That’s what makes you a winner". Venus Williams, Professional Tennis Champion
Belief, Faith, Vision and Relentless Persistence
Ally believed she could win, and with the help of her faith she did. Her twitter post after the tournament was "Never Give Up", along with a picture of her holding the trophy, feet dangling over the wall of the 18th green and waters of Lake Oconee.
Just imagine what it takes to compete in this or any professional level sport - the skill, the grit, the determination, the focus, the commitment, and the patience. Imagine having to focus all your energy on hitting championship level shots for four straight days.
"I never hit a shot, not even in practice, without having a very sharp,
in-focus picture of it in my head".
Jack Nicklaus, PGA World Record-Holder, Author and Philanthropist
High achieving leaders know that having a clear vision of what the future looks like is critical to achieving success. And on a personal level, success requires that you create a vision for the life you really want, and then practice relentless persistence never to give up.
The Power of Affirmations and Visualizations
To take that vision to the next level, consider affirmations and visualizations.
Affirmations are vividly detailed statements of you living, working, and enjoying life. They bring the future into the present, as if it already has happened.
Affirmations are a way to focus your brain on the goals you want to achieve. Write powerfully effective affirmations unique to you about what you want to be, do, and have.
You don’t always have to know how you will achieve your goal.
Just keep visualizing yourself in the future as if you already achieved it. Make it vivid, rich with color, sound and the feeling that you will get when you achieve your goal, and the sense of joy you will experience knowing you accomplished your dream to live out life as you designed it.
Imagine
So imagine for a moment that we are sitting across the table, (or on a Zoom meeting), and I ask you… "Assume that your life is perfect. What is the vision you have for your life or your company? What does it feel like to have achieved your perfect life?" How would you answer?
Do you have one (an answer)? If not, then ask yourself, "What do I want? What do I really want?" Ask yourself again, "What do I want?" over and over again until you have an answer.
Still no answer? Keep trying. Keep asking. The process will help you have greater clarity and strengthen your belief in what's possible.
Until next time!
P.S. This month I'm launching my new YouTube show, "Conversations With The CEO Sensei".
"Conversations" will be showcasing business leaders, entrepreneurs and CEOs, their businesses and their secrets to success.
If you or someone you know would like to be on the show, CLICK HERE and let's schedule a 15 minute discovery call.