Be a True Champion

Before Simpson's first game on our spring break trip, we had the opportunity to hear Jim Fannin speak. He's the "World's #1 Coach of Champions." He is a top sports psychologist with clients that have included Randy Johnson, Frank Thomas, Barry Zito and Alex Rodriguez. He's been in this field for 37 years.

According to Fannin, there are three types of people in sports and in life. First, the non champion. They're the guy who frequently makes excuses. Nothing is their fault. They seldom look in the mirror to find solutions. They are undesirable.

The next two are the champion and true champion. Both have similar characteristics of being unselfish, working hard and getting the job done. They put the team or organization in front of themselves. They find the will to succeed from within.

What separates the two is true champions know they are capable of doing what needs to be done in a positive way every single day. They take no days off from bettering themselves and those around them. The true champion knows they are successful and their actions show that every day. They never blame others. They treat everyone with respect. They are who others aspire to be.

Fannin said he coined the term "the zone" in 1974. He is an expert in "the zone." He said he spoke to Michael Jordan in 1992 after a game in the locker room. Jordan had just dropped 42. Fannin started talking about the zone and Jordan said, "The zone? I can put that on like an overcoat."

Obviously it's not that easy. But there are ways to help. We did a breathing exercise that included taking only 6-8 breaths per minute. It calms the body and mind. Fannin said the average person has 2200-2400 thoughts per day. Some one in "the zone" has about 1100. They are completely focused on one mission. Their mind isn't wandering to unproductive things.

Fannin spoke about the importance of visualization. The most important time for this is 30 minutes before you fall asleep. If you visualize and tell yourself positive things about how you want the following day to go, when you fall asleep, your subconscious believes all of those things are real. Your subconscious doesn't know the difference between fantasy and reality, so the things you tell yourself before sleep are reinforced in your body. Your body and mind actually believe it.

If you go to sleep worrying, upset, telling yourself "I'm no good," feeling inadequate, your subconscious tells your body those things while you sleep and you wake up with those feelings multiplied. But it works the same way with positive thoughts.

It's not easy to put in that time visualizing success and great things for yourself every night in bed, but it's not supposed to be easy. The true champion knows about doing things that aren't easy but realizes it will help in the long run, even if it's not tangible.

Each person can picture what a true champion means in their own mind. It's above what is already expected. It's a level above a champion, and it has nothing to do with a trophy. The true champion must first believe, then expect, then know. "I believe I can do this." "I expect to do this." "I know I can do this."

Be a true champion.