People draw inspiration from many different sources: family, friends and famous figures, to help improve their own lives. By using mindset shifts that have been demonstrated by successful individuals, we can copy their lead and make positive changes in our own lives!
The world is awash with inspirational people, living lives against adversity, achieving the impossible and making their dreams a reality. They all act in different ways, think differently and come up with unique methods and structures within themselves to reach their goals. This is particularly prevalent in people who compete in different sports, who need to focus and develop all the time.
Here at Self Care Pursuit, we are offer techniques like SMART goals to help you become the best version of yourself, to help you change your mindset and think your way towards an improved reality. Often that means either giving advice or sharing some of the best. With that in mind, we think there is great value in the thoughts, and actions, of these four figures from the world of serious competition.
Michael Jordan Mindset
“I’ve missed more than 9,000 shots in my career. I’ve lost almost 300 games. 26 times, I’ve been trusted to take the game-winning shot and missed. I’ve failed over and over and over again in my life. And that is why I succeed.”
Michael Jordan is one of the most decorated basketball players of all time, but he makes a wonderful point about failure. Failure is integral to success, in terms of learning improved methods and practices, but also in strengthening resolve and fortitude. Can anybody truly become a success without learning and adapting from failure? The 14-time NBA All-Star thinks not.
Bethany Hamilton Mindset
“Being present means living your actual life, accepting it for what it is, and making the absolute most of it. Cut out the constant barrage of distractions so you can be truly present with the people and things that matter most.”
Bethany Hamilton is an inspiration, perhaps one of the most inspirational athletes of all time. The surfer fell victim to a shark attack at the tender age of 13 and saw her left arm completely severed. Within one month of the attack, she was back on the board. Her entire life is an inspiration and her quotes on living life to the max and overcoming adversity are endless, but we love this nugget about being present with the people and things that matter most in your life.
Daniel Negreanu
“A combination of work away from the table, study, and practice are just as important as actually playing poker and getting the experience that you do at the felt.”
Poker might not be a sport as such, but it is a keenly contested game in which players have to have a strong mindset, resolve and positivity to succeed. One of the very best in the world of poker is Canadian Negreanu, who has won six World Series of Poker (WSOP) bracelets and two World Poker Tour (WPT) championship titles. He cites hard work, study and practice are important in achieving anything at all. Preparation might even be as simple as brushing up on the basic skills of a game, by using the hand ranking charts on Poker.org or the card percentages players need to win certain scenarios, even for players at the top of their game. Negreanu also cites learning from others as a key driver to success, and his own achievements prove his mantra to be correct. Focusing on your own preparation and working hard towards whatever you desire can take you to your goals.
Muhammad Ali
“It isn’t the mountains ahead to climb that wear you out; it’s the pebble in your shoe.”
Ali is an inspiration for millions, a world champion who defied the odds and remained at the very top of his game for as long as he could. He famously once said he hated every minute of training but knew he needed to do it, which plays into Negreanu’s quote. However, it is this wonderful nugget of wisdom that is best to end the article on. It is not the journey ahead of you that will tire you out, but the nagging doubts that are already with you. The pebble in your shoe is you, your self-confidence and belief. If you switch your mindset to one of trust in your own ability, then you won’t tire on your way up the mountain towards whatever goals you have set yourself.
*Contributed by Anna Davey
