All of us would like to be a “champion” at something. We would like to be considered one of the best in our job or field. We have a hobby or a side hustle where we’d love to be the “pro.” So what separates champions from the rest of the pack? What separates great leaders from merely good leaders? 

My favorite sport is basketball. In high school, I was a slightly above average player. At the time I felt like I worked hard to perfect my basketball skills. However, my viewpoint completely changed when I got to college. I thought my work ethic was above average until I saw how collegiate athletes practiced (at least the great ones). It’s not that they performed different drills or activities than I did. It’s the way they performed those drills and the constant repetition that made them stand out.

Champions don’t do different things; they do things differently. 

Over the next few weeks, we are going to look at the disciplines of a champion and how to develop these disciplines in your life.

 

Discipline #1: The Motivation of a Champion 

Champions are highly motivated. Many times we say they have a “high drive.” When others tire out and give up, just like the Energizer Bunny, they keep going. One of the reasons for this is that they know their win. They know what success looks like.

How about you? Do you know if you are winning both in your personal and professional life? Do you know even what it looks like to win? (If you don’t, I recently wrote about how to discover your personal vision or “win.” You can read that here.)

The reason discovering our “win” is so important is because it

1. Shows us the destination or scoreboard for our life, and
2. Provides the fuel we need to get there. 

The fuel of champions is inspiration. And inspiration precedes perspiration. We must regularly inspire (or re-inspire) ourselves before doing the work to accomplish our goal. 

For me, my inspiration is helping leaders become the best version of themselves so that they can help others do the same. That’s what motivates me — especially on the days when I’m tired or stressed. 

So what’s your inspiration?

 

Game Plan

• What activities or conversations energize you?
• If money were no object, what would you do with your life?

Answering these questions will help you start to discover your “win” and motivation. Take some time to journal out your thoughts and talk it over with someone close to you.

 

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