Always a Winner

"Self-praise is for losers. Be a winner. Stand for something. Always have class, and be humble."
  --- John Madden

Thankfully, change is taking place in the National Football League. Showboating, the self-serving celebrations of dancing and other antics are slowly disappearing. It took new rules and penalties against teams to end most of it, but it also took pressure from the likes of Bill Cosby, upset fans, and teammates to stop the silliness. It is now refreshing to see winners acting like winners, team players, and gentlemen.

Hopefully the momentum will keep players thinking like winners. It's like that in business too. We often forget that it was a team effort that brought success and boast that we are self-made men and women. There is no such thing. Everyone has help along the way.

"If you really want to succeed, you'll have to go for it every day like I do. The big time isn't for slackers. Keep up your mental stamina and remain curious. I think that bored people are unintelligent people."
  --- Donald Trump

As business leaders, one of our jobs is to keep the fires burning in a winning team. Once we've assembled our dream team, it is important to motivate them at every corner. Even winners need to hear an encouraging word, praise, and gratitude. A great Proverb states that as iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another. Keep sharpening your team.

"I came to realize that my money problems, worries, and shortages largely began and ended with the person in my mirror. I realized also that if I could learn to manage the character I shaved with every morning, I would win with money."
  --- Dave Ramsey

One good place to start the motivation process is with us. Self-talk, reading inspirational success stories, meeting with other success-minded business leaders, and staying away from negative people is extremely helpful to prepare for motivating others. Once we are motivated, it becomes contagious to those we are leading and makes it easier to motivate others.

"I made a resolve then that I was going to amount to something if I could. And no hours, nor amount of labor, nor amount of money would deter me from giving the best that there was in me. And I have done that ever since, and I win by it. I know."
  --- Colonel Sanders

Winning in the business life is not as cut-and-dry as it is in the world of sports. In sports, there is a scoreboard and it is easy to determine who won the game. In the business life, my definition of winning may differ from your definition. The final point or the finish line in business is what you've determined that it is. Deciding what that is and focusing on that point is magical. When we keep our mind and eyes focused on the destination, it becomes easier to reach.

Winning becomes a series of mini victories leading to the chosen success point. The key then becomes focusing on always winning.

"It's easy to have faith in yourself and have discipline when you're a winner, when you're number one. What you've got to have is faith and discipline when you're not yet a winner."
  --- Vince Lombardi

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