HEART. PRIDE. DESIRE.
3 simple words, one combined answer. These are the keys to successful athletes, and people in general, who want to be winners. If you don't have these three characteristics, then you can just be like Paulie and "forget about it" because winning is not your priority.
Your heart is a physical and virtual representation of your mind and body. You have to have an actual, palpating heart in order to live and you have to have the will to never give up in order to succeed.
Therefore, take pride in everything you do. Be proud of who you have become and who you are destined to be. Whether you made a lousy bounce pass to your teammate or failed a physics test, it is okay! Take pride in failure because it will be the key to your upcoming success. Wear the name of your school, while holding your chest up high. For me, the words "Hamden Hall" are flaunted as i go shopping or go out to eat. I take pride in my school and who they have made me to be.
Desire can be described as having the "eye of the tiger". You want to win so bad that you dive on the floor for every loose ball. don't back down, never refuse to be less. If it is harder for you to do, most likely it is the best thing for you to do. And if you give up, who is going to give you a pat on the back and say "good job"? no one! No one will admire the girl who quit because the team had to run 3 miles every practice or the boy who walked off the court after being yelled at by his coach. Do whatever it takes to win, whether it is drinking pickle juice before every game or doing 10 extra push-ups before you go to sleep. Just think, who is going to tell you to run at 5 am on the weekends to get in better shape? You have to tell yourself. That takes heart. That takes pride. That takes desire. Don't stop believing....only you can control your destiny. Not only are you helping yourself, but you are helping your team. That should be your motivation; if you have won, your team has won.
You don't have to necessarily win actual games to be a "winner". If you have surpassed goals you set up for yourself, you are a winner. If you have fell down and got back up, you are a winner.
The responsibility is on you! So if you want to be a winner, do justice for yourself and follow these guidelines. Wake up every morning and say "I refuse to be less, I refuse to quit, I refuse to back down...because I am a winner!"
I couldn't agree with these keys anymore!
ReplyDeleteThank you I am glad you agree! :)
ReplyDeleteWell said Dreisen. Heart, Pride and Desire! Those are the things that drive you to excellence and they are internal as well as external. It is what drove your mom to complete her MBA, much of it while working full time. Your mom is a wonderful example of all of the above and I see the apple does not fall far frome the tree.
ReplyDeleteAs you navigate this world, doing "whatever it takes" should be your mantra. That is what sets apart winners from so-so students and players. Great job with this blog. You are giving others sound advice and from where I sit, you are setting yourself apart from those that don't want to do the work. Good for you! Also, good for this country as there should be more young people with this mindset.