Most of us may never feel the weight of a gold medal hanging on around our necks or hear the applause of a crowd. Yet, in each of us is the heart of a champion. The only difference between those who allow their inner champion to fully express itself and those who live vicariously through the accomplishments of others is a decision.

Champions are champions because they think, act and therefore perform as champions. The moment you decide to step out of the stands and into the arena, you are a champion.

With another Olympic games in full swing (and a very exciting gold medal for our US women’s gymnastics team), I thought it was appropriate to share a couple qualities of a champion, which I have observed over the years in the top performing trainers, managers and professionals worthy of emulation.

The Courage to Imagine the Unimaginable
At the 1976 Montreal Olympic Games, another gymnast, Nadia Comăneci, performed her legendary routine. Her body effortlessly danced through the air in harmonious movement while she flipped, turned and flew from one uneven bar to the next. The thunderous applause of the crowd was only heightened when they realized, for the first time in Olympic history, a gymnast had received a perfect 10!

Many never experience breaking the bonds and flying because they lack the courage to believe beyond what others suggest as possible. The lack of courage to break boundaries is not a consequence of cowardice but rather conformity.

Conformity is following a script for your life that you did not write. If you have ever heard that quiet yet persistent voice in the back of your head telling you that you can do more then has been realized, if you have ever had a feeling that you were capable of far more than has been demonstrated in your life so far or have seen yourself going further then others thought possible, this by itself could be evidence of the fact that you were meant to break through the bonds and fly.

Perseverance
After making Olympic history by achieving a perfect 10, Nadia was forced to grow up in the public eye. She was constantly being watched, judged and criticized by the masses. With greatness, adversity is sure to follow. It is the challenge that leads you further toward your unrealized potential. The potential would never have been known if the challenge had never been experienced.

In the following years, Nadia was sent to work with another coach away from her family. She faced many struggles and setbacks. After this dark time, Nadia was told to leave gymnastics and lead a simple life. “Take walks,” they said, “Get a job and start a family.” But, Nadia couldn’t do it. She responded, “I must be the best! I must train harder than I have ever done before!”

The difference for champions is they go one more round. Regardless of how many times you are “down,” you are not beaten if you rise to your feet just once more. Nadia went back to original coach and support system. She trained harder then ever.

On your journey through life, there may be times where the patterns that helped you succeed in the past prove to be futile for the future. Because change is constant, you must have the ability to be flexible in your environment. The professional who does not have the ability to adapt and change is the professional who will stay in one place and eventually be obsolete.

You may not score a perfect 10 today. You might not hear a crowd cheer or bring people to tears. But, you are a champion! You’re a champion because you have the courage to compete and the perseverance to stick with it!

Share with me – what has made you a champion today?

Original post can be found on PT on the Net.
Image courtesy of WPRI.