How many times did you hear a true champion speak with doubt? How often did you hear a professional boxer say, “It will be a tough fight; we will just have to wait until Saturday and see how it all works out.” Never, because doubt will knock you out before you even begin. 

If you let self-doubt enter your mind, anxiety is sure to grow. Once you start to doubt whether you are capable of winning, you’re on your way to disaster because the mind can only hold one thought at a time. You are either thinking of winning and visualizing what winning will be like, or you are worried about what happens if you don’t win. You can only hold one picture at a time. Sure, some athletes waver back and forth, but you can only contain one thought you focus on at any given time.

There’s no doubt that great leaders have impressive minds. They can think on their feet, make quick decisions, and stay calm under pressure. But is it something that you can learn? Or is it a natural gift? It turns out that it’s a little bit of both. You don’t need to be born with a “championship mind” – you can develop one. It’s all a matter of how you train your brain. The phenomenon of neuroplasticity allows our brain to change depending on what we continually fill it with. 

What the mind sees, feels, and thinks, it works towards. Where your focus goes, your energy flows. The mind needs to be given direction, and then it works towards making that given destination a reality. The mind is constantly working towards results; the trouble is what directions we are providing the mind. When you learn how to control your mind, greatness is achievable—learning how to think like a winner is the first step toward becoming a winner. What you consistently think about is what you begin to manifest.  

Muhammad Ali  once said, “To Become a champion, you must first look and act like a champion.”

You can’t control what comes into your mind, but you can control what you do with it. So when a negative thought enters, drown it out with a flood of positive images. Focus on what you want, not on what you don’t want. Focus on winning, not on not losing. Begin to daydream; make this daydream the ideal outcome. Famous author and speaker Denis Waitley said, “It’s not what you are that holds you back; it’s what you think you are not.”

Here are three tips to think like a great leader:

1) Feed Your Mind Healthy Thoughts

Just like our bodies need specific healthy nutrients to function optimally, our mind needs healthy doses of positivity. You can’t let your mind feed on negative junk that will destroy it. Negativity is like eating Snickers for dinner; it may seem fitting at the moment, but it will ultimately make you sick. So instead, ensure you give your mind bursts of life-giving content and opportunities to strengthen you. 

Philippians 4:8 (NIV)

⁸ Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.

2) Look At The Opportunity, Not The Obstacle

Whenever you’re faced with a challenge, look for the good. Every challenge brings with it an opportunity for growth. This isn’t some cliché concept…this is the truth. Most people are so enamored with the obstacle they can’t see the opportunity. Great leaders always look for the diamond in the coal. They are driven to turn problems into possibilities. Coach John Wooden said, “Things turn out best for those who make the best of the way things turn out.” Spoken like a champion.

Hebrews 12:1-3 (NIV)

12 Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, ² fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. ³ Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.

3) Surround Yourself With People That Will Challenge You

Champions do not live like Hermits. They open themselves up to accountability and feedback. You rarely get better on your own. We need others to help bring out the best in us. Truly we are better together. You must have an inner circle with the authority and responsibility to challenge your thinking. You must be humble enough to receive feedback, even when it’s tough. However, ensure you have people you trust and who care for your success so you can truly be vulnerable with them.    

Proverbs 12:15 (NASB)

The way of a fool is right in his own eyes, but a wise man is he who listens to counsel.

Work on your mental game, and you’ll level up your championship ability!