Life is 10 percent what happens to you and 90 percent how you handle it.
That seems to be the mantra of most successful people. The undeniable drive and unbridled enthusiasm evidenced by that success are not qualities possessed by everyone. It is the rare exception to the rule that so often hinders and confines the majority in which true success can be found. That, in itself, is the difference between success and failure. How bad do you want the goal you have set for yourself and how much are you willing to sacrifice to achieve it?
Excuses are everywhere.
Reasons as to why something cannot be accomplished and screaming voices touting the belief that surrender seems to be the obvious course of action often drown out the sometimes quiet resolve to get the job done. And, when one heeds the call to give up, the unshakeable question of what might have been begins to devour the drive of the one who dared to dream in the first place.
The belief in the power of positive thinking can alter the path of one's existence. Moving from the negative to the positive is an essential aspect of becoming successful.
Attitude, indeed, is everything.
These tenants can be applied not only in life but also in the arena of athletic competition...whatever the sport may be.
When a young man or woman stands at the free throw line, the belief in success or failure often determines the outcome of the shot. When a kicker takes his steps, preparing for the game-winning field goal, confidence - or lack thereof - in many instances determines the outcome of the game. When a golfer stands over a 10-foot putt with a tournament on the line the belief in his or her ability often outweighs the ability itself.
Attitude is the difference between a starting pitcher and a closer in baseball. Attitude is what separates athletes on the wrestling mat. Attitude gives coaches the ability to instill a belief into their players that anything is possible. Attitude allows players to move beyond their ability in a manner never before thought possible to achieve greatness.
However, attitude cuts both ways.
A bad attitude can take a great player and make him or her ordinary and can take an ordinary player and make him or her useless. Bad attitudes permeate our society today. Seemingly everyone is walking around with the proverbial chip on their shoulder.
Parents who believe that their son or daughter should be in the starting lineup or receiving more playing time often convey a bad attitude, giving their child the green light to display the same bad attitude when dealing with their coaches or teammates. Instead of using the situation as a teachable moment to build character, they give the go ahead for their son or daughter to point to everyone else as the source of their problems. And, as that attitude becomes ingrained in character of their child the chances of success later in life becomes smaller and smaller.
Rarely do we hear parents telling their children that they need to work harder, take things in stride or be prepared when their opportunity comes. Instead, children are bombarded with messages of how they are being treated unfairly, how they are being done wrong or how the coach just has it out for them.
Most people want something for nothing.
They want success without hard work. They want glory without sacrifice. They want accolades without justification. And, when these don't come they fall back on the excuse of how they never had a chance.
I fear that through our bad attitudes we are creating a nation of self-righteous, me-first, ungrateful, good-for-nothing citizens who want it all but are willing to work for none of it.
Remember, attitude is everything.
