How Champions Think

1. Champions cultivate an optimistic mindset

"Exceptional people understand that if they set such goals, there is no such thing as failure."

Optimism is a choice. Champions consistently choose to view setbacks and challenges as opportunities for growth and learning. They maintain a positive outlook even in difficult situations, believing in their ability to overcome obstacles and achieve their goals. This optimistic mindset fuels their persistence and resilience, allowing them to bounce back from failures and continue striving for success.

Practical applications:

• Reframe negative experiences as learning opportunities
• Focus on solutions rather than dwelling on problems
• Visualize successful outcomes
• Practice gratitude for small victories and progress

2. Confidence is a choice, not a result of success

"People tend to become what they think about themselves."

Self-confidence is a powerful tool. Champions understand that confidence is not solely a result of past successes, but a deliberate choice they make about how they view themselves and their abilities. They cultivate a strong self-image and believe in their potential to succeed, even before achieving tangible results.

Building confidence:

• Affirm your abilities and potential daily
• Celebrate small wins and progress
• Challenge negative self-talk
• Visualize yourself succeeding in your goals
• Seek out experiences that stretch your comfort zone

3. Respect your own talent and potential

"There's no reason to compare yourself to the precocious."

Believe in your unique abilities. Champions recognize and respect their own talents, refusing to be limited by comparisons to others or societal expectations. They understand that talent comes in many forms and focus on developing their own strengths rather than fixating on perceived weaknesses.

Developing self-respect:

• Identify and nurture your unique strengths
• Set personal standards based on your own potential, not others'
• Seek feedback from trusted mentors to gain perspective on your abilities
• Challenge limiting beliefs about your capabilities
• Celebrate your progress and achievements, no matter how small

4. Commitment and perseverance are essential for success

"Paul Runyan is only one example of how seriously exceptional people take the commitments they make to themselves."

Unwavering dedication is key. Champions demonstrate an extraordinary level of commitment to their goals and persevere through challenges and setbacks. They understand that success often requires sustained effort over long periods and are willing to make sacrifices to achieve their dreams.

Cultivating commitment:

• Set clear, specific goals and create action plans
• Develop daily habits that support your long-term objectives
• Track your progress and celebrate small victories
• Find accountability partners or mentors to keep you on track
• Regularly remind yourself of your "why" – the deeper purpose behind your goals

5. Focus on the process, not just the outcome

"Exceptional people immerse themselves in process goals."

Trust in the journey. Champions understand that while outcomes are important, focusing solely on results can be counterproductive. Instead, they concentrate on mastering the processes and daily habits that lead to success. This approach allows them to maintain motivation and consistent performance, even when faced with temporary setbacks or slow progress.

Implementing process focus:

• Break large goals into smaller, actionable steps
• Develop and refine your daily routines and habits
• Measure progress based on adherence to your process, not just outcomes
• Learn to find joy and satisfaction in the work itself, not just the end result
• Regularly review and adjust your processes for continuous improvement

6. Learn to perform well under pressure and nerves

"Nerves are in fact a sign that an individual is about to do something he cares deeply about."

Embrace the challenge of pressure. Champions recognize that nerves and pressure are natural parts of high-stakes performance. Rather than trying to eliminate these feelings, they learn to harness them as a source of energy and focus. They develop mental strategies to stay calm and perform at their best when it matters most.

Managing pressure and nerves:

• Develop a consistent pre-performance routine
• Practice mindfulness and relaxation techniques
• Reframe nervousness as excitement and anticipation
• Visualize successful performance under pressure
• Focus on the present moment and your process, not potential outcomes

7. Evaluate yourself honestly and constructively

"Exceptional people often keep separate lists of practice goals and performance process goals, either on paper or mentally."

Self-awareness drives improvement. Champions engage in regular, honest self-evaluation to identify areas for growth and track their progress. They focus on both their strengths and weaknesses, using this information to refine their training and performance strategies. However, they also know when to avoid over-analysis, particularly during competition.

Effective self-evaluation:

• Set specific, measurable goals for both practice and performance
• Keep a journal to track progress and identify patterns
• Seek feedback from trusted mentors or coaches
• Analyze both successes and failures for learning opportunities
• Balance self-criticism with self-compassion

8. Embrace failure as a path to growth

"Exceptional people are resilient. Resilient people react to failure by finding something they can cling to, some hope for the future."

Failure is a teacher. Champions view failure not as a final outcome, but as a crucial part of the learning and growth process. They analyze their failures for valuable lessons, using these experiences to refine their strategies and improve their performance. This resilient mindset allows them to bounce back stronger from setbacks.

Learning from failure:

• Analyze failures objectively, without emotional attachment
• Identify specific lessons and actionable improvements
• Set new goals based on insights gained from failures
• Share experiences with others to gain different perspectives
• Celebrate the courage it takes to risk failure in pursuit of goals

9. Work hard and smart to maximize potential

"Working hard is the minimal standard for exceptional people."

Efficiency amplifies effort. Champions understand that while hard work is essential, it must be combined with smart strategies to achieve optimal results. They continually seek ways to improve their efficiency and effectiveness, maximizing the impact of their efforts.

Working smart:

• Identify and prioritize high-impact activities
• Develop systems and routines to streamline repetitive tasks
• Seek out mentors and learn from others' experiences
• Regularly assess and adjust your approach based on results
• Invest in continuous learning and skill development

10. Know when to heed competition and when to ignore it

"Exceptional people pay attention to it during their preparation, but they try to ignore it during their performance."

Balance awareness and focus. Champions understand the importance of being aware of their competition during preparation, using this knowledge to set appropriate goals and strategies. However, during actual performance, they focus solely on their own game, trusting in their preparation and avoiding distractions.

Managing competitive focus:

• Study competitors during preparation phases
• Use competitive benchmarks to set challenging goals
• Develop a strong, personalized game plan
• Practice maintaining focus on your own performance under pressure
• Learn to quickly refocus if competitive thoughts intrude during performance

11. Balance patience and impatience in pursuit of goals

"Part of being exceptional is knowing when to be patient and when not to be."

Strategic urgency. Champions strike a delicate balance between patience and impatience. They understand when to push hard for immediate results and when to trust in the process and allow time for development. This balanced approach allows them to maintain motivation while avoiding burnout or premature judgments of their progress.

Balancing patience and urgency:

• Set both short-term and long-term goals
• Regularly assess progress and adjust timelines as needed
• Celebrate small victories while keeping sight of larger objectives
• Recognize when plateaus are temporary vs. signs of needed change
• Seek advice from mentors on appropriate pacing for your field

12. Surround yourself with supportive, like-minded people

"Exceptional people rarely let themselves be influenced much by outside evaluations. They set their own standards, and their standards have much more to do with the process than the outcome."

Your environment shapes you. Champions carefully curate their social and professional circles, surrounding themselves with people who support their goals and share their values. They seek out mentors, coaches, and peers who challenge them to grow while providing encouragement and constructive feedback.

Building a supportive network:

• Identify role models and mentors in your field
• Join professional organizations or mastermind groups
• Attend conferences and networking events
• Be selective about close friendships and romantic relationships
• Limit exposure to negative or unsupportive individuals
• Cultivate relationships with those who share your ambition and work ethic