Thoughts on Being the Best

Control what can, not what you can’t! Be Smart. Work on something specific each
day. Have a plan! Train with a purpose. Improvement is incremental. Small steps
lead to big steps.

Pressure – Pressure is what you make it! Use the
pressure to make you better, internalize it and use it as a positive influence.

Belief – Think you are the best and you are
on your way. Confidence, believe in yourself, your preparation and your support
system.

Routine – Great athletes doing the same
thing, the same way, at the same time each day. Regularity. You can set a clock
by the great ones.

Work– Every one works. The great ones work
smarter. Analyze your strengths and weaknesses objectively. Minimize your
weaknesses and optimize your strengths. Bring your weaknesses up to the level
of your strengths.

Choices – It is always about choices. Make the choice
to be the best. Life is constantly about choices.

Improvement – Michael Jordan, as good as he was, got better
every year he played! He would pick one aspect of his game each off-season and
set out to improve that aspect with relentless determination.

Perfection – The perfect game has yet to be played, in
fact it will probably never be played. The perfect race has yet to be run. That does not mean we should not strive
for perfection, it does mean that that we should strive for perfection but not
be frustrated when we do not achieve perfection. Take chances, risk, try a new
move in a game, take on a defender. Make things happen!

Mental Toughness – Physical preparation gives mental strength.
Push yourself, do not give in. Go the extra step and the extra mile.

Effort – Performance may vary, but effort is a
constant. You have control over your effort. Make it high energy, high level
and purposeful. Consistent effort will level out the peaks and valleys in
performance.

Goals – It is about goal achievement not goal
setting. Anyone can set goals, but few can achieve goals! Dreams are private. Goals are public. Share
them. Find people to support you to achieve your goals. Be specific both in
setting your goals and the means to achievement. Constantly visualize yourself
achieving your goals!

Focus – No rabbit ears! Program your inner voice to
respond only to what you tell it. Only listen to your positive self-talk.
Filter out the negatives.

Evaluation – Self-assessment is a constant for those who
chose to be great. Be objective. Look at the positives and the negatives. It is
an ongoing process. Evaluation and self-assessment are a series of
stepping-stones necessary to climb the staircase of success.

Be yourself and true to yourself. You are
great and will get better!