What Makes A Champion?

By Fran Ferrell

 According to my observations, champions have some qualities which distinguish them from others.  A champion is a goal-oriented individual who disciplines himself to achieve excellence. 

This discipline enables him to become extremely well prepared.  It starts with having innate abilities:  physical (in athletics) and/or mental.  There are many people who seem to have the potential for greatness, but lack some quality to achieve it. 

I find that there is an attitude of competition.  The few who would be champion still compete when there is no one to compete with.  Could we say that it’s competition with themselves in order to surpass anything previously achieved? 

There are different levels of championships.  It seems that the more advanced the championship, the more single-minded effort is taking place.  To truly excel in one area, one must be extremely tough emotionally and mentally.  He must not be distracted.  He must push beyond the limit continuously.  He must never be satisfied that he has “arrived”.  If he relaxes and feels satisfied, he loses his edge.  In sports, it is referred to as “being hungry.”  These champions clearly see themselves in the championship role--they play to be there; they expect to be there; they are willing to pay the price. 

The price is diligent, hard, more-than-hard work.  There is an overwhelming desire to achieve excellence.  The champion uses every situation as a learning situation.  He does not consider a loss to be a defeat.  He studies that loss, learns from it, turns it to his advantage and continues to drive. 

The attitude, the desire, the hard work, the insatiable appetite for championship, the fierce competitiveness all are useless if the would-be champion does not have the foundation and knowledge to achieve this feat.  He must know his area of expertise, use every opportunity to gain additional knowledge and skills and constantly fine-tune himself. 

The champion never uses excuses for performance that is less than expected.  The champion must be his own toughest coach. 

Of all the ingredients in a champion, I think that self-discipline is the single most important characteristic.

Last modified: 05/06/11