Things Winners Do Not Do

Why do people practice so hard to enter competitions?  This could be a baseball tournament or the Iron Man competition, people who enter these, work long and very hard.  What are they attempting to do when they go into these games?  To win of course.  No one works that hard just to say they did it.  They want the winners crown and nothing less.  These are people for whom a participation trophy will never do.

                I get distressed by people who do the work and say, "I don't really care if I win.  I just like the game."  That may seem noble and make people think what a great guy you are, however, in the world of competitive sports it really misses the point.  Yes, not everyone will win; and it is important to accept defeat with the same grace as one would winning, however, someone will win and until you hit the finish line, that could be you.

                I want to share with you three keys that will guarantee you will one day make it to the winner's circle.  I say "one day" because you do not always get the victory on the first try.  The important thing to remember is that you can, in the end, win the game if you never, never, never give up!

"It's hard to beat a person who never gives up."

- Babe Ruth

(1895-1948)

American Baseball Player

#1:  Never Become Negative

                Whether you are competing in sports, business or life in general, there is no greater poison to your achievement than negative thinking.  Those who believe they will fail; who believe that things are against them, will fail.  We bring into being the things we believe will happen.  Likewise, the one who believes they can do it; that victory is theirs and they never give up on that thought, will, in the end, achieve victory.  There is no place for negative thinking in the life of a success-minded person - ever.

#2:  Never Compromise

                You have heard me and others who teach success principles, say that success comes because you are willing to do whatever it takes to win.  Never be fooled into thinking that this statement includes dishonest or unfair methods at any time.  Success-minded people are people of integrity and courage.  They never compromise what they know to be good, right and honest.  When we say, you must do "whatever it takes", that "whatever" refers to hard work, long hours and a sacrifice of the immediate for the long term.  To compromise one's values and integrity is to lose before you even start.

#3:  Never Quite

                Here is the key to all success: never quiet!  Never give up!  Once we give up we have failed.  If you never give up, you will never fail.  Thomas Edison once said, "Many of life's failures are people who did not realize how close they were to success when they gave up."  You do not know if your win is in the next day, week, or hour.  Success-minded people know that it really does not matter when success will come, they just are positive that it will come.

                Whatever your goals and dreams, play to win.  You are not going to go around in this life again, so you better make it count now.  Success is a choice - just like failure is.  Each day we make the decision, are we going to win or are we going to give up?  There will be days when you feel like giving up for sure, that does not mean you will give into those feelings.  Success always comes to those who will never give into anything less.

You can learn more about Personal Development from author and speaker, John Patrick Hickey.  To get his books, training and book him to speak to your church, business or group, visit our website at www.johnpatrickhickey.com. Be sure to sign up for the free membership and get even more tools to help you achieve your dreams.  

© 2018 John Patrick Hickey. No part of this may be reprinted or published without permission of the author.