Tennis and champions

I'm back from a week's holiday where I went to the Australian Open tennis and got to see some tremendous matches in the middle rounds, including Verdasco's win over Andy Murray. Every year the Australian Open tends to bring out a new shining light and so it was quite extraordinary to have the 1st and 2nd seed meet in the final.
What a match between Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer. I was behind Federer's push to win his 14th Grand Slam and to regain his dominance in the game. I am so into studying the mindset of a champion, that I was disappointed to see the apparent look of defeat on Federer's face as he approached his final service game.
In that moment I saw some immaturity and lack of courage. He came crashing back down to the earth from the rarefied heights he had been living as the once 'god' of tennis. Perhaps Federer took his amazing skills for granted and didn't expect that he would need to draw on other skills such as fortitude and guts in the ultimate challenge. Last Sunday Federer was not up to the final challenge and I hope he takes the positive learnings from it to realise that there is something more for him to 'get' before he can claim that desired title of being the 'greatest of all time'.

What defines a sporting champion?

In my mind a sporting champion is not defined solely by their results. It is easy to distinguish the champion who wins the title or gold medal - they are in the news for all to see. Not all that win are true champions - it is what they do with that win - their response that can define it. Do they win gracefully, do they win with courage and are they consistent in their response - either to win consistently or to also lose with grace and courage.
The champion that does not win the game or the race is less easy to see. This sporting champion gives their full 100% each and every time in competition and training; leaves their heart on the field, does whatever it takes to win and then is able to accept defeat. The defeat does not come through lack of application. In sport only one can win first place, but all can still win - it is the term of 'winning' that can be redefined.
You see, it can be tempting to view a loss as a failure. That the sole criteria for success is based on coming away with a win - without seeing what is actually achieved in the performance. A champion mindset is able to see the result in perspective, and take a loss as a learning experience - learn what needs to be done next to continue on to further success. The more you fail, the more you will succeed.
A champion never loses as long as he/she continues to learn and grow and become the best that he/she can be. Start acting like a champion and the results will follow.

Tiger Woods - Master of the Game

I am ferociously curious about what it takes to be a champion at the highest level. That is why I am always looking to read about the best of the best in sport to find out what makes them tick. I look for autobiographies, articles, interviews and whatever I can find to learn more.
I just read "Tiger Woods entering a zone where few have travelled" on nydailynews.com by sportswriter Hank Gola. Hank describes Tiger's amazing ability to repeatedly come from behind in golf tournaments and raises intrigue to how he has mastered this.
If you could only model one athlete on who to base your mental mindset, Tiger Woods would be the chosen one. From my own readings, I undestand his work with his sports psychologist, Dr Jay Brunza, has enabled Tiger to play in a hypnotic trance. Milton Erikson said that all people are living in a trance, one of disempowerment. When we can awaken within and use that trance state to one of empowerment, then we can truly succeed at any level, at the level of Tiger Woods perhaps.

Specificity in your Goals - do you need to use numbers?

In a newspaper article yesterday Libby Lenton denounced the need for the Australian Olympic Committee to set specific numbers on how many Medals would be won at the Beijing Olympic Games. She felt there was no need for 'pressure' for athletes to live up to certain expectations.
I disagree on two counts.
1. Pressure is something we place on ourselves by how we direct our thinking. Putting a figure on a desired outcome can have one person thinking 'towards' that goal with a sense of possibility - I/we CAN win x medals. Contrast that with another person who thinks with 'away' motivation and feels a sense of necessity - I/we HAVE to win x medals. This is often associated with an underlying question - what if I don't? or an underlying fear - what if I can't?
2. A specific and measurable figure gives one a specific target to work towards. If one doesn't reach that figure, it doesn't have to mean 'failure'. If Australia win 7 Gold rather than a projected 8 Gold in the swimming pool, it is still a success. By going for the specific figure an individual or a team has something on which to guage performance. How do you know how hard to train, how much work to do unless you know what you are aiming for.
Magic can happen too when you start being more specific. Think of your unconscious mind like a 7-8 year old child who needs to know EXACTLY what it is you want to direct you towards results. Do you want to be successful? How successful? What does that mean for you? You can find out more on how the unconscious mind determines your results at www.annetteffect.com.au

First teleseminar for 2008

I’m glad you’re reading this because I want you to know about how you can learn more about developing the mindset of a champion.

Whether you are an athlete, or looking to ‘win’ in other areas of life, you will gain something by dialling in to my next teleseminar on 30 January.

I will meet you by phone and discuss how your thinking might be helping you or hindering you towards success. Find out how to master your mind to get better results.

If you could ask me one question about developing the mindset of a champion, what would it be? I have set up an Ask Campaign for the 30 January teleseminar so that you can ask me that important question.

Go to http://tinyurl.com/ysr3mz to Ask Annette your question and register your place

There are limited places on the call so please sign up today to make sure you get in on the call. I look forward to receiving your question.
Pps Please tell all your friends. I’m sure they will all be interested to hear how they too can improve their results.