Mental Acuity: Winners Imagine Winning

Winners Expect to Win.

I blog about a lot of stuff within the logistics and supply chain space.  There are also a few topics that don't seem to be directly attached to my chosen field.  I blog about airlines because I love airplanes and my first internship job was with an airline.  I blog (sometimes) about character and leadership because I believe in it.  More importantly, I think this is an area where I will be a student for my entire life.

I look at the Boston Red Sox and the NFL's New England Patriots and I see two teams of players who expect victory but work at the process.   They know how to win because they've done it. That leads to an air of expectation.  Also let me say I live in Atlanta, so there is no special attraction to Boston.  I just know a winner when I see one!

This is what I know so far. 

The secret to being a champion is knowing that the most fun part of the baseball game is when its 3 balls-2 strikes-2 outs..9th inning...last at bat...game 7 of the world series and the winning run is on second base.   It is the most defined high pressure point in all of sport.   It is also the most mentally played through event by 9 year old boys playing little league baseball there is.  Virtually every child imagines hitting the winning run.  Running, jumping, smiling, yelling...winning.  What's interesting is that no little kid imagines himself popping out to shallow left field.  What the kid gets intuitively is that only ONE PERSON gets to be in that special position. Only one gets the opportunity to be the hero. 

Then there is "Reality" 

Somehow, most of us get the idea that because we are grown ups...we can't imagine victory.  Especially we can't pretend or "play" victory.   Not So!   Did you know that the best pro sports players imagine themselves catching the winning touchdown or hitting the winning run?   Did you know that the US Navy flight demonstration team, the Blue Angels and the USAF Thunderbirds literally imagine (as a group!) their airshow?  They do this before every single performance.   Not many adults want to be the hero.   They are too busy imagining failure. Imagining victory is the key to getting it. Pretending Victory is like rehearsing a musical performance.  You imagine and you train your mind. How many guys rehearsed the first call to the girl you eventually married?    How many sales people rehearsed their presentation in the car on the way to the big pitch?   You may still lose, but you won't win if you don't play. 

Laws of Attraction 

Are popular today as a subject relating to expecting to be successful.   My personal belief is that if you work hard and practice hard, you have a right to expect victory.  You should imagine it, taste it, expect it.  Regardless of outcome, you not only have a RIGHT to fight the fight, but you also have a right to EXPECT to win.

Most people don't work hard. Not really. There are TONS of people who give lip service to whatever sounds PC at the office.   I am convinced that if you work hard first, know your material, and rehearse your presentation, you have every right to expect to win.

Two other things also help though... and aggressive pricing department and a good relationship with God. 

Eric

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Comments

[Estee]

Wow!! great post... i like it

estee

[Bryan]

Great article. Makes me motivated to get out there and take over the world. Thanks for the Monday pick-me-up.