THE 26 ACTS OF CHAMPIONS
Champions are not just one-time winners
of golden trophies; as that can be achieved through a combination of luck and
other favourable factors. The champions we are talking about here are those who
have conquered and keep conquering their worlds in spite of hurdles and
challenges on their ways. They have learnt how to turn stumbling blocks to
stepping stones, that is why to them, failure is not final. These are true
champions! We now want to look at those qualities they possess that keep them
going and winning in life in spite of all odds- what is termed the 26 acts of
champions, coined from the 26 letters of the English Alphabet:
Attitude: Champions
possess a high level of positive attitude that keeps them thinking and talking
positively, irrespective of the seeming challenges on their ways. And that’s
exactly what helps them to conquer at last.
Belief: Champions have
got this self belief in their naturally-endowed ability to get to the top, that
they don’t need any external motivation to keep them going.
Courage: Champions are
so courageous that they never consider any mountain too high to climb, or any ‘Goliath’
too strong to conquer. No challenge cows them; they fear no fear.
Discipline: Champions
possess self discipline. They train their minds, spirits and flesh to act
right, and never to shift focus. They understand quite well that the moment a
man loses self discipline and control; he has lost control of every other
thing. Hence, they try to control their lives first, before seeking to control
the circumstances that surround their lives.
Enthusiasm: Champions are
not cold-footed optimists, who only possess positive confession with no
positive action. They are rather enthusiastic and committed folks who never
hesitate to run with the vision, the moment they catch it.
Focus: The acronym of
that word, FOCUS is, ‘Follow One Course Until Success’, and that’s exactly what
champions do. They are neither distracted nor sidetracked. They understand where they are going, and
keep moving until they reach their target.
Gratitude: Champions are
not ingrates. While they don’t necessarily depend on others to get them to the
top; they recognise and appreciate every input of others in their lives. No
true champion goes about saying, ‘I am a self-made man’, even when that might
be the case.
Humility: Humility is a
law to every true champion. They understand the principle of humility for
greatness. Hence, they remain teachable and ever humble, in spite of what they
have already achieved.
Integrity: To champions,
‘your personal image is your worth’, and they do everything possible to protect
their image in a positive way so as to remain relevant and revered. That’s why
they are more interested in integrity than influence.
Justice: True champions
believe in justice and fair play, both for themselves and for others. This is
because they believe in a merit system of reward. They are not interested in
receiving winners’ medal when they lose. For them, let the winner takes the
medal; tomorrow is another day!
Knowledge: Champions
pursue knowledge like none other. They work towards self development. They keep
learning and improving until they become perfect in their game.
Leadership: Champions
believe in the leadership principle of going and showing the way. They are not
army commanders that sit at home cruising life, while others are at the battle
front.
Maturity: Champions are
so matured in mind that they don’t settle for temporary gains on the expense of
a brighter future. They don’t believe in cheap shortcuts.
No-nonsense
character:
True champions are not frivolous; they have got no time waste in unnecessary
ventures or kids’ play. They take every game of their lives serious, as their
goal is not just to go through life, but to win through life.
Optimism: True champions
are upbeat, even when there are signs of failure all around them. They keep on
hoping and believing that things would turn out good for them, in spite of
initial setbacks. That’s why they sometimes win even at the nick of time.
Purpose: Champions are
purposeful persons- they know and understand their callings, assignment and
goals. They live a purposeful life- a life with direction and target, not the
typical round-the-robin life of the average persons.
Quality: Champions
prefer quality to quantity in all they do. If it would take a champion, decades
to produce a quality work, he would rather endure those years, rather than
coming up with shabby work in a month’s time.
Responsibility: Champions
never shy away from claiming responsibility of every of their actions and
inactions. They boldly admit their mistakes, and apologise where necessary,
while working out improvements. But, to hide under the ‘excuse and blame’
blanket, never!
Sacrifice: The game of
life is well played in the court of sacrifice, and champions understand this.
So, it is never difficult for a champion to make sacrifice of the things that
temporarily appeal to them, just to achieve what they need in the long run.
Time-consciousness: Only fools and
losers in life toy with their time; champions never do. They know too well that
the greatest resource available to man is time; and that a time wasted could
mean a life wasted. Hence, they value and employ their time judiciously to
achieve meaningful result.
Unconquerable
spirit:
Champions are not those who never fail; they are only the people who never quit,
in spite of repeated failures. Every other thing around him may break down, but
not the spirit of a champion. It remains so unconquerable that when you think
he is about giving up, he rises to continue his race.
Vision: True champions
possess an eagle eye. They are so visionary that they see the future before
others. This puts them on edge over their rivals and mates.
Work: Champions are
industrious people. They never believe in mother luck smiling at a lazy man;
and the kind breeze carrying him to the top. For them, getting to the top is
not by chance, but by choice- of industry and hard work. In fact, true
champions hate cheap success. They want to work their way to the top. No idle
moment.
Xcellence: You won’t see any
champion in a ‘mediocre college’, or in ‘average university’. In all they do,
they go for the best; they pursue excellence, and that is the only thing that
satisfies them-excellent achievement.
Youthfulness: No age is too
old for champions to produce quality results. They might be old in the skin,
but not at heart or in the mind. While some lazy young men at early thirties
might be claiming it’s too late to enrol for university degree, champions at 80
are just doing exactly that-filling forms for admission.
Zeal: True champions
are committed and zealous. They give all they’ve got to achieve a desired
result. No wonder they remain at the top!
