When we think of champions, we often imagine them in their moments of glory, basking in the limelight of success. It’s easy to assume that they have some innate talent or skill that sets them apart from the rest of us, making their victories seem effortless. But the truth is, becoming a champion takes more than just natural ability. It takes a certain mindset, a way of thinking and approaching challenges that sets them apart from their competitors.
This mindset isn’t just reserved for the times when they’re winning and confident, but it’s what helps them maintain their focus and composure when things may not be working out.
In this blog, I’ll explore three main things that champions do to win more often and how you can change your thinking to reach success!
The Eye Of The Storm
When you’re in the eye of a storm, everything around you may be chaotic, but you remain calm and centred. The same is true for champions in sports and in life. They maintain a calm and focused mindset, regardless of external circumstances. This means they don’t dwell on past failures or successes, and they don’t obsess over future outcomes. Instead, they stay present and focused on the task at hand.
For example, let’s say a player loses a crucial point in a match. Instead of dwelling on the missed opportunity, a champion player will let it go and focus on the next point. They won’t allow themselves to get caught up in negative thoughts or emotions, which can lead to a downward spiral of poor performance.
Mastering The Art Of Showing Up
Champions have a relentless mindset when it comes to showing up and performing at their best. They don’t settle for mediocrity or half-hearted effort. Instead, they strive for excellence in everything they do. But, they also understand that perfection is elusive and can lead to unrealistic expectations.
Therefore, they aim for the A+ always, but they’re content with mastering the art of showing up and getting a B-. This means they consistently put in the work and effort required to achieve their goals, but they don’t beat themselves up if they fall short of perfection. They know that showing up and giving their best effort consistently is what leads to success over the long term.
Seeing Everything (Even The Difficulty) As An Opportunity
Champions have a growth mindset, which means they view challenges and difficulties as opportunities to learn and grow. They don’t see obstacles as insurmountable roadblocks, but rather as opportunities to prove to themselves what they’re capable of achieving.
For example, if they are facing a skilled opponent and falling behind in the match, instead of giving up or becoming demoralised, they can approach it with a growth mindset. They can view it as an opportunity to challenge themselves, learn from their opponent’s strengths, and develop their own game. By focusing on their own improvement rather than just the outcome of the match, they can maintain a positive and resilient attitude, which can ultimately help them perform better in the long run.
This mindset is exemplified by tennis legend Serena Williams who once said:
“I really think a champion is defined not by their wins but by how they can recover when they fall.”
In conclusion, adopting the mindset of a champion involves:
- Maintaining calmness and focus in the midst of chaos
- Striving for excellence while understanding that perfection is elusive
- Viewing challenges as opportunities for growth and self-improvement.
It’s a continuous process of self-improvement and self-reflection, and it requires a willingness to learn from failures and setbacks.
Ask yourself: What does this look like for me? And how many times over do I need to practice these behaviours to make them a part of my own champion mindset?
Jesse Engelbrecht
Develop a stronger mind for squash!
Check out this series where Jesse Engelbrecht introduces the 4 A’s – a psychological concept developed by legendary coach, George Mumford, which helps athletes deal with any situation that may arise, no matter how tough.
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