a great read......

[dan stell (bam)]

177 mental toughness secrects of the world class: a great book!!!

1. the world class operates from objective reality............. in 20 years of competing, coaching and working with performers from various fields, i've discovered most amateurs suffer from mild to severe delusion in relation to their efforts and competencies. in other words, most people delude themselves into thinking they are working harder then they are, and that they are more competent than they actually are. of the five major levels of conscious awareness, (poverty, working, middle, upper, and world) my experience has been that performers at the middle class levels of consciousness suffer the grandest delusions. the poverty level is barely surviving and living in a harsh set of circumstances. the working class is punching a metal time clock and counting the days until retirement. they're usually not expecting much, and no one around them expect much, either. they are typically not concerned about climbing any higher. it's the middle class that is most incongruent with reality. they are operating at a high enough level to understand that higher levels exist. although they don't expect to get there, the thought crosses their minds from time to time. because of their low expectations, their actions are incongruent with desires. in other words, they want to live the life of the world class, but are unwilling to pay the price. since this reality is too harsh to bear, they delude themselves into thinking they are doing everything in their power to get ahead. of course, they're not. they'll tell you they're putting in far more time than they are. they'll swear they are thinking about their vision all the time, but they're not. the world class is brutally honest with themselves, and they tend to look reality in the face. they err on the side of over-practicing and over-preparing. champions know that, to ascend to the top, you must first be operating from a mindset of objective reality. self-deception and delusion have no place in professional performer's consciousness.
"amateurs performers operate from delusions, pros operate from objective reality. the great ones' habits, actions, and behaviors are totally congreunt with the size and scope of their ultimate vision. that's why we call them champions." -steve siebold

middle class vs. world class
1. the middle calss competes...the world class creates
2. the middle class avoids risk... the world class manages risk
3. the middle class lives in delusion... the world class live in objective reality
4. the middle class loves to be comfortable... the world class comfortable being uncomfortable
5. the middle class has a lottery mentality... the world class has an abundance mentality
6. the middle class hungers for security... the world class doesn't believe security exists
7. the middle class sacrifices growth for safety... the world class sacrifices safety for growth
8. the middle class operates out of fear and scarcity... the world class operates from love and abundance
9. the middle class focuses on having... the world class focuses on being
10. the middle class sees themselves as victims... the world class sees themselves as responsible
11. the middle class slows down... the world class calms down
12. the middle class is frustrated... the world class is grateful
13. the middle class has pipedreams... the world class has vision
14. the middle class is ego-driven... the world class is spirit driven
15. the middle class is problem oriented... the world class is solution oriented
16. the middle class thinks they know enough... the world class is eager to learn
17. the middle class chooses fear... the world class chooses growth
18. the middle class is boastful... the world class is humble
19. the middle class trades time for money... the world class trades ideals for money
20. the middle class denies their intuition... the world class embraces their intuition
21. the middle class seeks riches... the world class seeks wealth
22. the middle class believes their vision only when they see it...the world class knows they will see their vision when they believe it
23. the middle class coaches through logic... the world class coaches through emotion
24. the middle class speaks the language of fear... the world class speak the language of love
25. the middle class believes problem solving stems from knowledge... the world class believes problem solving stems from will

enjoy, ;)
bam

[dan stell (bam)]

2. world-class wealth begins with world-class thinking....................
if you get out of bed this morning and went to work because you wanted to, you are in control of money. if you got out of bed this morning because you had to, money is in control of you. even in the wealthiest nation inthe world, 99% of the population is being controlled by money. the effect is lack of money. the cause is thinking. albert einstien once said, "a problem cannot be solved at the level of consciousness in which it occurs." knowing this, champions raise their level of consciousness by study how the world class creates wealth. the middle class believes formal education is the answer to acquiring wealth, yet very few academics are wealthy. they seek advances degrees and certifications and are confounded when these things don't bring them riches. while the great ones are strong advocates of higher education, they don't believe it has much to do with acquiring money. the middle class often scorns the world class out of frustration over a lack of money, yet the answer to earning more than they can spend has been in their lap their whole lives. ideals--it's such simple concept that the majority misses it. the proverty class talks about and regurgitates the past; the middle class talks about other people; and the world class talks about ideals. professionals performers know money doesn't care which direction it flows. they know the world will bend over backward to make them rich if it will help them solve their problems. about 150 years ago, karl marx was sure the working class, as a whole, would rise up and overcome oppression if they had a chance. what marx didn't figure into the equation was the poverity-driven thought process of the people. give people operating at middle-class consciousness a million-dollar opportunity, and they will find a way to make it back to middle class. it is where their limited self-image tells them they belong. the difference has to do with reality. it's all perception in the mind in the middle of the performer.

"wealth is the product of a man's capacity to think" -ayn rand 1950-1982 author, philosopher

[dan stell (bam)]

3. champions have an immense capacity for sustained concentration.............

champions are famous for concentrating their energy and efforts on what they want and blocking out anything or anyone who threatens their focus. while average people haphazardly pursue loosely defined goals, champions concentrate on the attainment of a singular purpose with an intensity that borders on obsession. world-class performers invest an inordinate amount of time and energy in selecting their major goals. while the masses consider making changes every new year's eve, the goal setting and planning process is an everyday habit of champions. when the goals are set, champions put mental blinders on and move forward with dogged persistence and ferocious tenacity. world-class performers create such an intense level of concentration to overcome challenges and achieve goals that it is the last thing they think about before they fall asleep, and the first thing that hits them when they wake up. the great ones dream about their goals so frequently that they often keep pen and paper on the nightstand so they can quickly record and ideals or solutions that come to them in the middle of the night. while average people see world-class performers' successes as a matter of intelligence or luck, champions know sustained concentration of thought and action is usually the true key to their success.

"nothing can add more power to your life than concentrating all of your energies on a limited set of targets." -nido qubein, speaker, author, philanthropist

[dan stell (bam)]

4. champions are driven by emotional motivators...........................

the masses are primarily motivated by extrinsic motivators, such as materials possessions and money. the world class is motivated intrinsically, by their dreams, desires and passion. external motivation is short lived, while internal motivation is nealy impossible to exhaust until the goal is achieved the rah-rah, jump-up-and-down motivational pep talks are fun and temperarily motivating, yet lack the real fire emotional motivators generate. world-class leaders know the secret to motivating themselves and others is discovering what they will fight for when the going gets tough. the great ones move from logic-based motivators to emotion-based motivators. they know the key to finding the true power of the individual lies in the deep recesses of the psyche. the process great leaders and coaches use is tedious, time consuming, and simple: ask questions, and don't stop until you have landed on the emotional hot buttons. world-class coaches keep digging until they hit the vein of gold - when the performer begins answering in terms of how they feel, as opposed to what they think. when they hit vein of gold, they continue to probe until the performer reaches an emotional high point, known in performance circles as the white moment. the white moment is the strongest emotional driver of a performer. coaches use emotional drivers to motivate and inspire performers to push far beyond their threshold of pain, to accomplish feats that, without this level of motivation, would be impossible.

"when a performer begins to experience physical or emotional pain the heat of the battle, the brain, whose primary role is self preservation, asks the question: "why must i suffer?" the champion will answer the question with the vision they have carefully constructed, and they will continue to fight. since the masses lack this mental clarity and have no reason to suffer, they quit as soon as the pain kicks in. developing a world-class vision is the secret to world-class motiovation." - steve siebold

[fighterzack]

Fantastic stuff, Dan, and very well stated. I can give numerous examples of these principles in my own life, both in business and in fighting. There is no way a former alcoholic and drug addict, who had just had his second knee surgery, and who had never fought before, should have gotten as far in the fight game as I have, and be competing with World Champions 15 years younger than I am. The same has happened with business- changing my beliefs about what I was able to accomplish has enabled me to start my own company, which is now the fastest growing mortgage company in the Southeast after 2 years. And as I have met and interviewed successful people, these principles stated here are mentioned again and again as a true belief, and work ethic.

Keep doing what you do- motivating.

[dan stell (bam)]

thanks zack, it's a great book. i just wanted to pass on a great read to those who are interested. i was wandering if anyone was reading them. but, then again their's middle-class and world-class people in the world. but once again a world-class champion like yourself is reading the post. thanks zack.

[dan stell (bam)]

5. great ones seperate truth from fact............

while average performers tend to believe truth and fact are the same, the world class knows there is a diffference. champions use their critical thinking skills to make a clear distinction between truth and fact. fact is reality. truth is our perception of reality, and perception are subjective. one person perceives giving to charity as an expense, while another perceives it as an investment in someone else's life. the fact is that many people give to charity; whether it's an expense or an investment is a perception. which line of thinking represents truth? both. in the minds of individuals, perception equals truth. this subtle distinction allows the great ones to understand themselves and others at a higher level of awareness. the masses tend to operate from truth, which often a distorted version of facts. champions make decisions based on facts, not feelings. the world class also uses this understanding of truth and fact in their mental programming. the great ones know the conscious mind functions most effectively on fact, while the subconscious can be programmed with truth. since the subconsious is unable to make the distinction between fact and truth, champions program their subconscious minds to believe their vision, dreams and ideas as truth. because the subconscious doesn't have the ability to reject an idea, it accepts it as truth and begins to create behaviors that are congruent with this new "truth." the conscious mind knows this creating cognitive dissonance. as a result, the two go to work to create congruency. the great ones are not only aware of the difference between truth and fact, but they also know how to use them both to get what they what.

"we have to live today by what truth we can get today and be ready tomarrow to call it falsehood." - willaim james 1842-1910, author

[dan stell (bam)]

6. champions lead through facilitated introspection.................
all great leaders know that the most effective form of learning is self-discovery. world-class coaches and managers believe in faculitating the introspective process, which helps people rediscover what they already know. instead of leadership through the outdated command-and-control, do-it-or-you're fired model, progressive managers are constantly asking their employees questions and taking careful note of their answers. the great ones know that most people are unaware of what makes them tick in terms of their emotional motivators. the only way to help a person discover the hidden power locked up in their psyche is through asking probing questions. learning occurs at two levels during this time introspective process. the first level is when the person digging down inside himself becomes aware of the emotions driving his behavior, and the second is the manager's awareness as it relates to with buttons to push when it's time to motivate his charge to action. amateur coaches primarily through logic. professional coaches and managers coach primarily through emotion. since human beings are primarily emotional creatures, it's obvius which methods has the most power. facilitating the introspective process in another person requires patience and time, and the great ones are willing to invest. the amateur wants instant results, but pros know this rarely occurs. the payoff for the pro comes not only in the form of increased productivity, but also in the connection created between managers and employees. once an emotional creature is convinced that you care what she thinks and how she feels, it sets the stage for emotional bonding to occur. managers and leaders who lead this way lose very few of their people to rival companies because of this bond. in the age of the mind, facilited introspection is the core process of leadership.

"the great managers of the future will know more about their people than ever before. they'll know their emotional hot buttons as well as the essence of what makes them tick. through facilitated introspection, these leaders will create a competitive immunity for their companies by reigniting the flame of loyalty that burns within their people." - steve siebold

[johnnyd]

Awesome Stuff here Bam...We all need to be motivated from time to time and esp. in this fighting game! Great Work! Forward March!

[dan stell (bam)]

thanks jonnhy, i'm glad you enjoy the post. yes, i do believe everyone needs a little motivation now and then. thanks again.

[dan stell (bam)]

7. the great ones know they are unaware...............

champions have so far in raising their level of awareness that they realize there is always a higher level. average people have a world view that says being comfortable with who and where they are in life is the key to happiness. the great ones have a world view that says happiness is learning, growing and becoming. school is never out for champions. the more they learn, the more they realize how much they don't know. while average people seek mental comfort, the world class believes mental comfort is the death of growth. they live by this phrase: 'you're either growing or dying; stagnation does not exist in the universe.' like the child who always asks "why," champions always ask questions of other top performers in an effort to get a new take on an old idea. their on going mental growth reinforces their belief of another level of conscious awareness that can make them more successful, more fulfilled and happier.

"everyone is operating and running their lives at their current level of conscious awareness." - carlos marin speaker and author

[dan stell (bam)]

8. champions develop world-class beliefs long before they become champions......
one of the major distinctions between average performers and champions is their belief system. like champions, average people tend to be a product of their mental programming from childhood. people of influence, such as parents, teachers, coaches, religious leaders, and others were the primary builders and shapers of our ealry belief systems. in most cases, this programming is limiting because it comes people who believe they are limited. that's why average people are saddled with a set of beliefs that are about survival than success. average people have been programmed to avoid pain at all cost, which promotes a 'playing not to lose' mentality. many world-class performers were raised with these same beliefs, yet learned to reprogram themselves somewhere along the way. champions learn how to develop enpowering beliefs and invest a substantial amount of time solidifying those beliefs, mostly through their own self-talk. with guidance from coaches and mentors, champions monitor the words they use. they know reprogramming is a never-ending activity. some people even consider this process 'positive brainwashing.' when aspiring champions learn they can program any belief they wish, and through repetitious, ongoing self-talk, build that belief into a foundation for their consciousness, it's a revelation. a world-class belief system can be created from scratch, no matter what your age, upbringing or current lot in life. a world-class belief system is a primary factor in the making of a champion, and every great performers know it. while a average people see champions as more intelligent, the champions know better. the true is that intelligence plays a small part. beliefs is the real star of the show.

"they can... because they think they can" - unknown

[dan stell (bam)]

9. champions embrace relativity..............

the masses measure and assign value to things based on their own perspective. the world class is much more discerning in their thought processes. they realize all things are relative. this is most apparent in their life vision. most people typically won't invest the time to create a vision and commit it to paper, yet the few who do tend to aim low as a result of their own limited perspective and beliefs. ask champions if their vision is big, and they are likely to respond, "compared to what?" the great ones develop the unique ability to measure beyond their own perspective. this is one of the secrets which enables them to reach for goals and dreams far exceeding anything they have accomplished in the past. the goal, dream or vision may be big to them, but to a bigger champion with a broader perspective, it's child's play. this critical thinking skill removes the intimidation factor and raises their level of expectation. is a million dollars a lot of money? the masses would say "yes." the world class asks, "compared to what?" compared to a dollar, a million dollars is a lot of money. compared to one hundred million dollars, it's not much at all. don't underestimate this seemingly minute subtlety, because adopting this one simple principle could transform your perception of every aspect of your life.

"the great ones are highly aware of the fact that all perceptions are based on the experience and belief of the beholder. this is the reason they surround themselves with people who think much bigger than they do. beliefs and expectations are contagious, and champions are eager to catch as much as they can." - steve siebold

[dan stell (bam)]

10. the world clas compartmentalizes emotions...............

professional performers make the difficult look easy. they're able to manage multiple problems and maintain emotional control while solving each problem individually. average people get bogged down in the details of every little problem and becomes overwhelmed quickly. professional performers compartmentalize each problem and create a mental/emotional separation between the person and the problem. pros don't engage in the emotional aspects of each problem; they focus on a logical solution and then put it aside so they can focus on the next challenge. in our mental toughness university seminar, we call this the presidential problem-solving technique. the idea: the president of the united states has multiple life-and -death decisions to make daily, and most possess the ability to place each problem in a mental box that separates it from all the other problems of the day. the ability to compartmentalize problems is a hallmark of great leaders. champions know every problem has a logical solution (at best) or a practical strategy (at least) which can make thibgs a little better. while amateurs get tangled in emotions, professionals are grounded in logical problem solving. compartmentalization allows champions to work on and solve one problem at a time, without the emotions of one problem bleeding into the solutions of the others.

"nothing external to you has any power over you" - ralph emerson, 1803-1882 minister,speaker,writer

[fighterzack]

Bam,

Check your private message.

[dan stell (bam)]

zack,

check your box. sent you a responce. thanks

bam

[dan stell (bam)]

11. the world class connects to the source through gratitude..........

the world class is famous for using non linear thinking as a primary problem solving strategy, and nowhere is this more apparent than when it comes to heightening their creativity. while amateurs become increasingly stressed during problem solving, the great ones become more relaxed to enhance their creative ability. champions know the ultimate creative force is located somewhere beyond our everyday consciousness, and they must tap this source to generate their best ideas.the secular sometimes refer to this source as the unconscious mind. the spiritual often call it God. whatever label their beliefs warrants, few deny the power of the source, whatever its point of orgins. champions know the fastest way to connect to the source is through gratitude. thoughts and feelings of gratitude seem to elevate the performers' consciousness to a higher plane than is accessible through any other means. professionals writers call it being connected. athletes call it being in the zone. psychologists refer it as a state of flow. no matter what name you assign it, the experience is the same. it's a process that begins by letting go and mentally detaching from the end result or outcome of any task. the focus is on being, as opposed to doing. while both amateurs and pros experience this phenomenon from time to time, the great ones are able to access it much more often because they are aware of the triggers that create a mental climate conducive to this state of mind. gratitude is the mindset of the choice when they need to awaken the giant and tap their genius.

"gratitude is the aristocrat of all of the emotions." - bill gove, 1912-2001, the father of professional speaking

[dan stell (bam)]

12. champions know adversity is the catalyst of mental toughness.............

champions believe if you remove the adversity, you remove the victory. as a result, they tend to view adversity as a challenge through which learning and growing occurs. their world view is evident in the way they describe the adversities they face. while average people choose the path of least resistance, world-class performers operate at a higher level of awareness. they understand that stress and struggle are the key factors in becoming mentally tough. while average people watch television and hang out at happy hour, the great ones continue to push themselves mentally and physically to the point of exhaustion. only then will you see them in rest and recovery situations. adversity to average people, equals pain. adversity, to world-class performers, is their mental training ground. it's how they become mentally tough. average people scorn adverisity. those who are world class don't welcome adverisity; yet they see it as the ultimate catalyst for mental growth, as well as the contrast needed to recongnize the beauty of life.

"if it weren't for the dark days, we wouldn't know what it is to walk in the light" - earl campbell, professional football player

[dan stell (bam)]

13. the great ones do it all with class..........................

true champions have class, and they consistenly conduct themselves in a manner congruent with their self-image. while amateur performers publicly gloat in their victories and agonize in their defeats, professional performers tend to keep a low profile during times of great success, and during times of failure. another hallmark of the great ones is their humility after triumph. they tend to project themselves in the same manner whether they are winning or losing. when they win, they love to share the credit with the team, and when they lose, they assume 100% responsibility. this high-class approach to performance opens doors which propel champions to even greater success. the great ones like to associate and do business with people who know how to handle themselves, especially in adverse situations under pressure. this is one of primary distinctions between the upper class and the world class. the ego-driven upper class must win at any cost; the spirit-driven world class insists on following a strict code of ethics. the great ones have the character to do what 's right, and they do it all with class.

"there is no mat space for malcontents or dissenters. one must neither celebrate too insanely when he wins or sulk when he loses. he accepts victory professionally and humbly. he hates defeat, but makes no display of it." - dan gable, collegiate wrestling legend

[senseijensen]

Bam Bam,that was excellent and so true in the way that I have seen my students and fighters..those that have become and those that have not become champions. Very well stated and thanks for taking the time to post that. I wish I could send it to all my young students...

[dan stell (bam)]

thank you,

bam

[dan stell (bam)]

14. champions make 'do or die' commiitments.............................

if there was ever one world that defined the champion, the word would be commitment. when everyone else is tired, exhausted and burned out from the battle, the great ones are just getting warmed up. it's not that they don't fatigue; but their commitment to their dreams keeps going up. average people think it would be nice to achieve their goals, as long as it doesn't get too uncomfortable or painful. champions don't recognize pain, because they have made a commitment to do what it takes to win. amateurs performers make a commitment and approach it like a hobby. professional performers make a commitment and approach it like war, knowing they will have to endure an unknown level of suffering along the road to victory. amateurs performers always question the price they have to pay for success; champions pay whatever price it takes to win. this small difference in mental strategy makes all the difference in the world. commitment is more about making a decision to do whatever it takes to succeed than anything else, yet only pros seem to be able to get themselves to make these decisions.

"you cannot keep a committed person from success. place stumbling blocks in his way, and he takes them for stepping-stones, and on them he will climb to greatness. take away his money, and he makes spurs of his poverty to urge him on. the person who succeeds has a program; he fixes his course and adheres to it; he lays his plans and and executes them; he goes straight to his goal. he is not pushed this side and that every time a difficulty is thrust in his way. if he can't get over it, he goes through it." - george gilder, author

[dan stell (bam)]

15. the world class is consistently great..............

a lot of performers are capable of outstanding performance, but the great ones all have one thing in common: consistency. day after day, they perform at the very highest levels. the reason they are so consistent is because their actions are congruent with their thought processes. champions usually have a very clear mental picture of what they want it, and how to move closer to their target objective. while average people are complaining about the sacrifices they have to make to be great, the champions have already made those decisions and continue to move forward. erratic performance is the result of erratic thinking, so the first step in mental toughness training is gaining mental clarity. champions invest an inordinate amount of time thinking, planning and claifying their goals and targets, as well as mapping out an exact action plan for attainment. consistency in performance is the direct result of knowing why it is necessary to perform well and the benefits that will accrue, especially when the going gets tough and the pain sets in. consistency is also created by practice. champions are usually thought of as the people with the most talent, and sometimes this is true. yet champions are known to invest large blocks of time practicing their craft long after everyone else has gone home. practice may not make perfect, but it does create consistency in performance.

"plenty of men can do good work for a spurt with immediate promotion in mind, but for promotion, you want a man in whom good work has become a habit." - henry doherty, american industrialist

[dan stell (bam)]

16. champions understand logic vs. emotion.........

amateur managers, coaches and leaders tend to favor either a logic-based approach to performance or an emotion-based approach. the pros know the magic is in the mix. when it comes to strategic planning and business acumen, straight logic is essential. emotion creates confusion when it comes to linear thought. this is why amateurs in the business world have repeated the idea that there is no place for emotion in business. professional leaders know this ridiculous. as you know, human beings are emotional creatures driven by emotional motivators like love, recognition, belonging, pride, values, etc. the list goes on and on. to ignore the role emotion plays in performance is to disregard the power of the fire that burns within a person's soul. the real distinction between amateurs leaders and pros that amateurs motivate through logic and the great ones motivate through emotion. logic is great for planning, but weak for motivation. trying to inspire an emotional creature by appealing to their sense of logic is amateur at best, and stupid at worst. in twenty years of studying and working with leaders, only a small percentage has really understood this in the business world. in the world of professional sports, it's a differrent story. many top coaches use emotional motivation brilliantly. the best example may be herb brooks, who motivated the U.S. olympic hockey team in the 1980 to pull one of the greatest upsets in history. emotional motivation has the power to drive a team beyond what they actually believe is possible. the sheer force of the collective emotion is so overwhelming that it mentally elevates the consciousness of the individual performers, which enables them to tap into a higher level of intelligence. the secular philosophy is that the performers are able to access more of their brain when they are operating in the altered state of consciousness. the spiritual philosophy says that performers have raised their rate of vibration to the same frequency as the force that created the universe. while champions' believe in the source of this power varies, they all know that the process begins with emotional motivation.

"the arena was so loud, the emotion so great. eveybody was going crazy. i remember thinking, 'stay with it. don't get swept up.' the hotter it gets, the cooler you have to get. i remeber thinking of one word in my mind-- 'miraculous.'"-- al michaels, sports announcer, commenting on the 1980 U.S. olympic hocky team victory over the soviet union

[dan stell (bam)]

17. champions are willing to suspend their disbelief......................

the world class is the most open-minded group of people you will ever meet, which is one of the reasons for their tremendous success. while amateur thinkers are convinced they have figureed out how the world works, champions are not so sure, and are open to new ways looking at old problems. in other words, champions are willing to suspend their disbelief until they evaluate the facts. the great ones are ready to change at a moment's notice if they are convinced something can be done faster, cheaper or better. a great example is in the network marketing profession, where sales reps recruit other sales reps and are compensated with an override on their recruit's volume. strong companies with quality products and services are able to grow at an alarmingly accelerated rate with this reproductive recruiting model. network marketing has single handedly changed the face of distribution for the better, yet has still not been fully embraced by amateur thinkers who insist on clinging to the past. franchising faces the same scorn years ago from amateurs who didn't understand and refused to open their minds to innovation and progress. the great ones capitalized on that concept and made history with companies like mc donalds's, radio shack, and blockbuster video, while the masses took years to accept this brilliant business idea as legitimate. the heart of the champions' open-minded attitude is in their spirit-based consciousness, which is a mindset devoid of the need to hold on to the past. most new ideas with the power to revolutionize people's lives never make it past the amateurs' ego, which is rooted in fear of the unknown and marked by pre-judgment, pretense and frustration. while the masses are dying from mental stagnation, the pros grow healthier everyday by entertaining thoughts of abundance and keeping their fertile minds open to life and successful living.

"when presented with new idea, check your ego at the door and suspend your disbelief. your ability to open your mind and consider new ideas without fear will propel you to the top faster than anything else." - bill gove, 1912-2001, the father of professional speaking

[dan stell (bam)]

18. the world class is ferociously cooperative......

professional performers are the most cooperative peolpe inn the world, because they know it takes a team to achieve anything worthwhile. their cooperation stems from their desire to win. they know they cannot do it alone. amateurs tend to be more ego involved and prefer to act as lone wolves, so they can boast they are self-made. champions don't need to take all of the credit, and as a rule, enjoy sharing the accolades with their teams. champions believe the whole is greater than the sum of the parts when it comes to achievement. these people a tremendous ability to persuade others to join forces with them, and work in a spirit of ferocious cooperation. achievement has less to do with stroking their egos and more to do with personal growth and development - not just their own, but also that of the team. champions get as big a kick from watching a team member grow in the process of achieving the goals as they do in actually achieving the goal. the realize the true value of achievement is as a catalyst for growth. generally speaking, the more cooperative the champion, the more successful they tend to be. the great individuals is no match for the great team.

"you can employ men and hire hands to work for you, but you must win their hearts to have them work with you." - william boetcker, 1837-1962, presbyterian minister, success lecturer

[dan stell (bam)]

19. champions are curious.................

the great ones are always curious, because they are always looking for an edge. at the root of their curiosity is the belief that one new idea, or one new twist on an old idea, could launch them to the next level. while average people tend to take things at face value, world-class performers are curious to know how and why something works in an effort to make new distinctions that may benifit them. champions have a childlike curiousity, and tend to approach the world with a mindset that says, "teach me." their world view tells them there is much more to learn in even the simplest aspect of life. the more they know, the more they realize how much they don't know about anything, including their own expertise. they approach their work with the mindset of a beginner - eager to learn and open to new ideas. professional performers are curious to see how beginners view their performance field, and want to see if anything can be learned from people who are seeing what they do for the first time. champions are masters at learning from other people's experience because they are always asking questions. their curiosity accelerates their growth through lessons learned vicariously.

"curiosity is one of the most permanent and certain characteristics of a vigorous intellect." - samuel johnson, 1709-1784 writer

[dan stell (bam)]

20. the great ones possess supreme confidence..................

another great word to distinguish world-class performers from average people is confidence. some people are raised by confidence-building parents, teachers and coaches, yet they are in the minority. most champions realized they were responsible for developing their own confidence at some point, and programmed themselves through a series of ongoing techniques. these programming strategies might include mental imagery and visualization techiques, meditation, sports, martial arts, learning a new language or musical instrument, or losing weight and going on an exercise regimen. all these strategies contribute to boosting self-confidence, but the fastest, most powerful ways to skyrocket self-confidnce i've ever seen sre:

1) changing the language you use when you talk to yourself and other. postive self-talk can literally change your life in ninty days, if you really stick to it. you can reprogram your entire beliefs system just by changing the words you use when you talk to yourself. i've read volumes of books on this subject, and the best one is called... what to say when you talk to yourself, by shad helmstetter, ph.d. this book is written in simple language and explains how the change process works.

2) learning to be a proficient and entertaining public speaker. when you can stand in front of a group of people and communicate effectively, it catapults your confidence into the stratosphere. most world-class business people are strong speakers.

"i felt like i could score at will." - jack maitland, 1970 super bowl championfullback, speaking of his college football career

[dan stell (bam)]

21. champions evolve from competing to creating..........

average performers live their lives in first gear, resisting changes and avoiding risk. the masses have the same talent and opportunity as the world class; yet choose to play it safe to avoid the mental toughness university, we have a scale called the five levels of mental toughness, which is a tool to help people determine at what level they are performing. the first level is called playing not to lose, which is doing just enough to avoid getting fired. the next level up is playing to cruise, which mentally cruising through the job without really engaging in any serious thought. the next level is playing to improve, which is when performers begin to actively engage their thoughts and feeling in the task at hand, attempting to get better. the level above this is playing to compete, which is when performers begin to believe they are capable of bearing out their competition and being the best. the level is primarily ego-driven where winning is the main object. performers operating at this level often become successful and powerful, but are sometimes left with hollow feelings of "is this all there is?" the highest creation, where the primary goal is to be the best they can be. knowing that creativity and fear cannot co-exist, these people are competing only with themselves with the objective of being the better today than they were yesterday. the playing to win philosophy is rooted in a spirit-based consciousness operating from thoughts of love and abundance. fear and scarcity have no place at this level of thinking. these performers are fearlessly seeking what dr. abraham maslow referred to as self-actualization, or becoming all that one has the potential to become. the most powerful belief performers operating at this level possess is that they cannot fail; they can only learn and grow. with their potential in front and their fear behind them, champions are able to move beyond the boundaries of competition and create what the masses believe is impossible.

playing not to lose - "i better perform or i'll be in trouble."

playing to cruise - "as long as i continue to perform, i can cruise."

playing to improve - "maybe i can accoplish more that i thought. maybe i'm better than i think i am."

playing to compete - " i think i can be the best."

playing to win - " i cannot fail, i can only learn and grow. the only person i'm competing with is myself. i no longer feel fear, because it's impossible for me to lose. i feel so grateful just to have an opportunity to be the best i can be. i see my performance as the primary catalyst of my self-actualization. i don't have to be who i've always been. i learn and grow; that's how i win."

"creative people raely need to be motivated--they have their own inner drive that refuses to be bored. they refuse to be complacent. they live on the edge, which is precisely what is needed to be successful and remain successful." - donald trump, real estate developer

[dan stell (bam)]

22. champions remember their roots.....................

professional performers start out as amateurs, just like everyone else, and they never forget it. while the masses see this as humility, the great ones see it as strategy. they know the lessons they learned on main street are just as valuable on wall street. the great ones never forget where they come from. this strategy keeps them grounded and enables them to relate to middle-class performers struggling to go pro. this empathy for amateurs makes them tremendous managers, coaches and leaders. champions often cultivate this habit by staying connected to people who helped lift them to the top, and by giving back to the community in which they were raised. the world class is always reaching for the stars while keeping their feet on the ground. this high level of consciousness is revealed in the language they use in conversations. you'll hear them speak about the gratitude they feel for all of the people who contributed to their success and fulfillment. while the masses are still angry over the injustices of their past, the champions are grateful and giving back. as a result of this abundance-based mindset, their blessings are multiplied many times over. the great ones know success is a self-fulfulling prophecy, and remembering their roots reminds them of not only where they came from, but also what it took to get them where they are now. revisiting their climb to the top reinforces their belief in themselves and gives them even more confidence to move ahead in the present and future. this is one of the ways champions build the psychological momentum necessary to propel them from success to success.

"we usually think of advise as something that someone tells us, but i learned my most valuable lesson in life by example, by watching people around me both when i was growing up and when i was trying to stay true, in my business career, to the values they taught me. yet, if there is one piece of advise that has been important to me is, it is "always remember where you came from." - john j. mack co-ceo, credit suisse group

[dan stell (bam)]

23. the world class never bows to criticism...............

mental toughness, broken down to its root, is really about becoming a master of your emotions in performance situations, especially under pressure. the fastest way to differentiate an amateur from a pro is to observe how they respond to criticism. amateurs are shocked when they are criticized, and many are emotionally wounded. professional performers expect criticism as a part of being a champion and are rarely rattled by it. the mentally tough expect little from their amateur-thinking counterparts, and when they are criticized, they are often sum it up as amateurs mud slinging. professional performers rarely criticize other people - they're too busy working and practicing to get wrapped up in other people's business. they don't deal in personalities; they deal in ideas. professional performers aren't surprised by criticism from other people. they realize they are a mirror into which amateurs look, only to see themselves for what they really are - average. world-class performers make them look lazy and unmotivated by comparison, and they resent it, so they lash out and criticize. meanwhile, champions ingore the criticism and go back to work.

"you can't let praise or criticism get to you. it's a weakness to get caught up in either one." - john wooden, hall of fame basketball coach, university of california los angeles

[dan stell (bam)]

24. champions believe in choice.....................

just as amateurs see themselves as victims of circumstance, professional performers believe they posseses the ulimate human freedom - the power to choose. avarage people get out of bed in morning in the morning and say, "i have to go to work." champions know they don't have to do anything they choose not to do. this mindset impacts every decision of both amateurs and professionals. amateurs feel they are at the mercy of the gods; professionals carefully construct a life based on a series of choices they make. this sense of control increases the professionals' ambitious drive. it's also one of the reasons champions appear to be so much happier than average people. they know their choices really control their destiney. they believe they can be anyone they want to be, do anything they want to do, and have anyhting they want to have. their belief in this concept becomes a self-fulfilling prophecy, which builds psychological momentum and makes the belief stronger every day.

"everything can be taken from a man but one thing: the last of the human freedoms - to choose one's attitude in any given set of circumstances to choose one's own way." - victor frankel, 1905-1997, psychiatrist, authur, and lecturer

[dan stell (bam)]

25. the world class embraces metacognition............

when it comes to thoughts, feelings and attitudes, the masses are heavily influenced by external forces, like a pinball being bounced around from bumper to bumper. their outer world determines their inner world. world-class thinkers are just the opposite. knowing their thoughts control their feelings, the great ones have adopted the habits of thinking about...what they think about. psycholgists refer to this as "metacongnition." this championship habit enables the performer to get to the root of the thoughts that bring about both positive and negative feelings. once the performer is aware of the thoughts that are ulitmately creating his results, he has the power to change any thought he chooses. in essence, metacognition enables the performer to take control of his thought processes. this makes the champions' reality directly opposite of the masses, in that the great ones' inner world determines their outer world. in other words, the results they achieve on the the outside are dictated by the thoughts they have on the inside, the masses are victims of their own thoughts. they have the same potential for greatness as the pros do, yet are simply not paying attention to what they are allowing to enter their minds, and the results are disastrous. meanwhile, the world class is thriving on upgraded thoughts that are manifesting tremendous results. they know that the better they become at controlling their thoughts, the better their results will be, and it all begins with metacognition.

"of course we become what we think about. the real question is, "do we know what we are thinking about?" - steve siebold

[dan stell (bam)]

26. prefessional performers don't require immediate compensation............

most people are fully engaged in microwave thinking - a deep belief that compensation should immediately follow any effort. champions are different. they believe every effort performed with good intention yield some form of compensation at some point. people become champions by performing their competencies until other people label them "champion.' in most cases, this label took years of hard work and sacrifice to achieve, with little or no apparent compensation along the way. many of the great ones were ridiculed and criticized for investing so many hours in the development of their core competency. not swayed by amateurs opinions, they pushed forward aggressively. this delayed gratification set the stage for all future battle plans for achievement in the minds of champions. when professional performers set a big goal, they are expecting a fight - and their past experience has preconditioned their minds for battle. when amateurs expect compensation, pros are just settling in for the fight. their willingness to delay gratification and compensation makes them more valuable in the marketplace.

"did you think you could have the good without the evil? did you think you could have joy without sorrow?" - david grayson, professor and author

[fighterzack]

Bam,

I just got the book two days ago and it's awesome. Even my wife, who is not an athlete, but is a singer and performer, saw the principles that apply to any one that wants to achieve greatness. Excellent recommendation.

[dan stell (bam)]

that's great zack. i hope you enjoy the value of the book like my wife and i. good luck.

bam

[dan stell (bam)]

27. champions embrace conflict for growth...................

average performers will do almost anything to avoid conflict. world-class performers not only welcome it, but embrace it. amateurs derive their approach from an emotional perspective, while professionals ground their approach in logic. an emotional response comes from the fear of suffering a bruised ego, because average people would rather be accepted by others than realize a superior solution to a problem. conflict represents a serious emotional threat to fragile constitutions. the great ones see conflict not as a threat, but as an opportunity to gain a three-dimensional perspective on a problem. the pros operate at a higher level of consciousness and don't care who gets the credits for solving the problems. logic dictates their actions and opens their minds to the possibility that the opposition may be right. champions see conflict as a healthy function of checks and balances in an organization. dictatorships and organizations which suppress conflict are too tightly bound to allow opportunities for growth. organizations which welcome or embrace conflict are destines to envolve exponentially from the combined brainpower of the group.

"a good manager doesn't try to eliminate conflict, he tries to keep it from wasting the energies of his people. if you're the boss and your people fight you openly when they think you're wrong - that's healthy." - robert townsend. former ceo, avis rent-a-car

[dan stell (bam)]

28.champions are comeback artist.............................

when donald trump was $9 billion dollars in debt in the early 1990s, did you really believe he was washed up for good? after lance armstrong survived cancer, did anyone really think he wouldn't race again? how about christopher reeves? did anyone really bet against him making an international impact to help people with spianl cord injuries, once he made the decision to do it? there's an old saying among the world class:"a bet against a champion is a bad bet." i couldn't agree more. amateurs quickly become demoralized by setbacks and defeat, and quietly slink back to their comfort zones. professional performers know that large-scale success is based on a series of comebacks. they believe that setbacks are set-ups for comebacks. amateurs often make the mistake of counting professional out when things get tough. the average person grossly underestimates the level of mental toughness that champions possess. the great ones will comeback out of nowhere, just when everyone has counted them out. emotionally speaking, they don't really understand the concept of giving up. i don't mean this as an insult. they understand how to quit intellectually. but emotionally, they have been hard wired through years of world-class programming to focus on a vision and persevere at any cost. this is why rock-solid character is critical to this group. the only thing that can stop this speeding locomotive from its destination is the potential harm or destruction of others. the great ones never sacrafice people for success. the upper class is ego-driven they often run over anyone who gets in their way. the world class, guided by their spirit-based consciousness, will only procees toward their visions if their actions are fair to all parties concerned. once this has been established, the champion fail again and again; yet continue coming back for more. on the physical plane, we call it perseverance. on the mental plane, we call it toughness. on the spiritual plane, we call it artistry.

"i'm going to the top of the mountain. you're either going to see me waving from the top or dead on the side. but you know what? i'm not coming down." - eric worre, author, speaker

[dan stell (bam)]

29. the great ones are masters of their work/rest cycles.................

average people refuse to recognize one of the most critical aspects of peak performance: cycles. if human beings were robots, performance experts like myself wouldn't consult with our clients about the proper use of cycles. yet we're not robots. we are, primarily, emotionally driven creatures whose level of performance is dictated by what we believe and how we feel at any given time. most amateurs performers never push themselves hard enough to ever warrant any concern with cycles, but for champions, it can make the difference between winning and losing. the great ones know (or are trained to know) when exert maximum effort and when to let their mind and body rest. the ememy of all champions is physical and emotional burnout., and they will go to great lenghts in the performance planning process to insure burnout never occurs more than once. most world-class coaches will push their performers to the breaking point at least one time to establish how far that individual can be pushed. every performers has a different tolarance for pain. when this breaking point is established, a cycle of stress and recovery is implemented. time off and life balance are key factors in performance cycle - as are massive influxes of effort. the great ones know the magic is in the mix.

"recovery is an important word and a vital concept. it means renewal of life and energy. knowing how and when to recover may prove to be the most important skill in your life." - james e. loehr, ed.d, author, psychologist

[dan stell (bam)]

30. the world class is coachable.....................

corporate america and entrepreneurs are starting to catch on to something athletes have always know: if you want to maximize your potential in anything, hire a coach. coaching is to performance what leadership is to an organization. since human beings are primarily emotional creatures, competent coaches are experts at stoking the fires that burn within - assuming there is already (at least) a small flame. coaches can't create the flame, but the good ones can turn a small flame into a blow torch. world-class coaches won't even accept a client if they fail to find a flame inside. they know the flame is the prerequisite for greatness. average people will only accept the amount of coaching their egos will allow. champions are well known for being the most open to world-class coaching. the bigger the champion, the more open minded they are. the gereat ones couldn't care less about ego satisfaction when it comes to imprving their how slight. their logic behind this is simple: when two champions go head to head, many times the only thing that favors the winner is a slight edge in thinking, strategy and technique. all champions look for that one advantage that great coaching can provide.

"great coaching is helping people discover what they already know." - bill gove, 1912-2001, the father of professional speaking

[dan stell (bam)]

31. champions are mentally engaged in the creative process.................

while average people are satisfied with the status quo, world-class performers are always searching for new ideas and new ways to interpet old ideas. they do this by tapping into the right hemisphere of their brain, the more creative side. champions believe there is always a better, easier, faster way to accomplish anything and being creative is the way to discover it. one of the methods they use to stike their creative flow is to learn, study and be interested in a variety of different things. the discovery of a truth in an unrelated subject could easily be transferred to a current problem. there is a level of relativity and relationship to the order of all things, and the great ones know it. champions discover these truths because they pay attention - not because they're smarter than anyone else. the masses are not mentally engaged. their billion-dollar thought processing system is used for activites like watching television and figuring out how to travel the road of least resistance. meanwhile, champions are being mentally reborn daily as a result of making new distinctions, interpretation and discoveries...and then they use these ideas to solve their problems.

"the creative person wants to know about all kinds of things: ancient history, ninteenth-century mathmatics, current manufacturing techniques, flower arrainging, and hog futures, because he never knows when these ideas might come together to form a new idea." - carl ally, founder. alley & gargano advertising

[dan stell (bam)]

32. champions operate with a clear conscience..........................

the world class tends to rely on intuition and conscience much more often than the masses. while average people are more concerned with what other people think of their actions, professional performers answer to a jury of one: their conscience. one reason they're able to maintain such a high levels of concentration and intensity in their field of expertise is because they raely carry mental baggage. with their conscience as their guide, champions often have greater mental clarity and internal focus than average people. rotary international, (www.rotary.org), an organization of business champions performing community service on a global level, has a great tool called the four-way test. the idea is for rotarians to answer four questions before making a major decision.

the questions are:
1) is it the truth?
2) is it fair to all concerned?
3) will it build goodwill and better friendship?
4) will it be beneficial to all concerned?

the world class often follows formulas in making important decisions. champions know they can often fool other people, but they can never fool thenselves. amateurs pay a serious price for making decisions that are incongruent with their conscience, and their self-image is the first thing that suffers. the great ones knows this is too high a price to pay. self-image expert nathaniel branden says, "self-esteem is the reputation we acquire with ourselves." being in touch and living by their conscience is a hallmark of mentally tough performers.

"reason often makes mistakes, but conscience never does." - josh billing, 1818-1885, writer

[dan stell (bam)]

33. common sense is the foundation of high performance.......................

champions usually believe the essentials of life were learned in kindergarten. their world view is that success is simple and constructed fundamentally from common sense. while average people search for complex answers to their problems, the world class looks for the simple solution first - and usually finds it. they solve more complex challeges by looking at the situation as an outsider viewing it for the first time. larry wilson, the famous speaker and author, says the great ones get out of their own way by viewing the problem from ten thousand feet in order to gain a new persective. they separate themselves from the everyday details and gain a three-dimensional view of the problem. while average people strain to create a solution, champions think for a while and then create a mental distance to take their direct focus off the problem. many times the answers come to them in the shower, in the middle of the night, or at the health club while they're working out. the law of indirect effort is one of the most powerful problem-solving processes know to man. champions realize the secret to tapping their true genius is sometimes hidden in the act of not trying so hard.

"common sense is the knack of seeing things as they are, and doing things as they ought to be done." - harriet beecher stowe, 1811-1896, author of uncle tom's cabin

[dan stell (bam)]

34. champions always strive for greater competence.........

amateurs performers are often good at memorizing and learning bits and pieces of information, just as they were taught to do in school. champions know memorizing data in the information age is worth about as much as it costs to purchase a computer and log on to the internet. champions are focused on becoming competent at what they do, and leave the information gathering to someone else. while the masses worry about job security and the return of poor economic conditions, champions spend time building and improving their attitude, skills and knowledge in their chosen field. this laser-guided focus channels energy directly to the building blocks of their competency. this approach puts professional performers in constant demand from corporations and organizations searching for people with world-class habits. so, while amateurs stay up at night worrying about job security, the pros are quietly creating it through competence. the future belongs to the competent, both in their field and in terms of controlling and directing their emotions. but then again, it always has.

"information is the booby prize. the real prize is competence." - larry wilson, founder, wilson learning corp.

[dan stell (bam)]

35. champions develop bravery in the battle for their dreams................

world-class performers know facing their biggest doubts, fears and worries are the ultimate challeges for champions, and therefore exercise a substantial amount of bravery in their lives. they are willing to endure sleepless and endless worries as they walk the razor's edge. they're profoundly aware that one small slip could send everything they're build crashing down, yet they continue to build. they are often criticized and ridiculed by the masses, who see them as a threat to their lack of engagement in life. champions accept the fact that the end result to life is the same for everyone, and since no one will survive in the end, there is no point in playing it safe. so, what average people see as unnecessary risk taking, champions view as playing the game while there's still time left on the clock. they have the guts and bravery to face the truth and take risks that make the masses squirm.

"the world has a way of giving what is demanded of it. if you are frightened and look for failure and poverty, you will get them, no matter how hard you may try to succceed. lack of faith in yourself, in what life will do for you, cuts you from the good things of the world. expect victory and you make victory. nowhere is this truer than in business life, where bravery and faith bring both material and spiritual rewards." - preston bradley

[dan stell (bam)]

36. champions hold strong convictions..........................

one hallmark of world-class performers is their conviction in who they are and what they do. champion's beliefs and convictions are so strong that it's contagious. professional performers who passionately believe in their convictions have the power to influence people and change the world. the great ones are easy to recognize - you can see it in their eyes and hear it in their voices. the famous minister john wesley is a great example. historians say: " rev. wesley's conviction and passion was so strong, that when he spoke it was as if his soul was on fire, and people would travel from miles around just to watch him burn." my research and experience shows that champions are not more passionate about everything. champions go to extraordinary lenghts to discover the work in which their deepest passions lie, and then turn their flame of desire into a blow torch of healthy obsessions. average people usually don't invest the time necessary to discover where their passions lie. instead, amateurs tend to implement distractions that are entertaining (at best), or a way to shield themselves from failure (at worst). these distractions include television, spectator sports, hobbies, booze, and drugs. it's far eaisier to boo and cheer a million-dollars athlete than it is to be one. generally speaking, amateurs are spectators in the game of life. and it all begins with their lack of desire to discover their convictions.

"what convinces is conviction. you must believe in the argument you are advancing." - lydon johnson, 1908-1973, u.s. president

[dan stell (bam)]

37. the great ones know the power of convesation...................

one of the primary differences between the masses and world-class performers is how their conversational skills. champions master the art of interpersonal communication. they know their success is directly proportianal to the number of advocates they have in their professional network of contacts. the great ones treat their databases like sacred artifacts, because they know those lists of people are priceless. they build their network one-by-one, and stay in constant, but unobtrusive, contact with the fervor of a preidential candidate rallying support. champions know that, if they lost everything they owned, they could pick up a phone, contact their network, and be back in business in nothing flat. the great ones are in awe of the massive power of their network. networks usually begin and develop through a series of conversations. world-class performers are charismatic conversationalists. they achieve this by focusing their covnversation on the other people. getting them to talk about their lives. professional performers are usually the people asking the questions and paying rapt attention to the answer. champions focus their part of the conversation on ideas, cocepts, and things of a positive nature. they refuse to discuss other people in a way that dicredits them or adversely affects their reputaion.

" a conversation is a dialogue, not a monologue. that's why there are so few good conversations: due to scarcity, two intelligent talkers seldom meet." - truman capote, 1924-1984, novelist

[dan stell (bam)]

38. champions are decisive.....................

while average performers are timid and lack confidence in their own judgement, champions are know for their ability to make decisions, especially under pressure. the difference is courage and confidence. even the best leaders are uncertain about their decisions in an environment of unprecedented change.the difference is their willingness to make a decision and take full responsibility for the outcome. amateur performers habitually play not to lose and procrastinate because they fear making a mistake. the great ones know mistakes will be made and can be corrected. their willingness to assume full responsibility for their decisions eliminates the need to gather more input than is absolutely necessary. developing a sound decision-making process, while understanding every decision is somewhat a gamble, is the foundation of superior leadership. professional performers can lead people and organizations effectively under such high-pressure constraints because they possess the self-trust necessary to make decisions without fear. generally speaking, the higher the leadership position, the greater and the deeper the leader's self-trust must be. courage, self-trust and the willingness to assume full responsibility for the outcomes of their decisions are mandatory traits of competent and effective leaders.

"if i had so sum up in one word what makes a good manager, i'd say decisiveness. you can use the fanciest computers to gather the numbers, but in the end you have to set a timetable and act." - lee iacocca, former chairman, chrysler corp.

[dan stell (bam)]

39. the great ones choose discipline over pleasure.............

when average performers have had enough for the day and call it quits, champions are usually just getting started. discipline is the watchword of great performers. discipline makes the difference between the good and the great. the great ones will tell you discipline is more of a decision than it is an active skill. it's the ability to stay the course and complete promises you've made. the fullfillment of these promises builds confidence and self-esteem, which eventually leads the champions to believe almost anything is possible. it's a habit and a self-fulfilling prophecy built into one. discipline is a logic-based decision that performers adhere to, regardless of whether they feel like it or not. discipline pushes performers past pain and punishment. as my late business partner and mentor bill gove always said, "it's easier to act yourself into good thinking than it is to think yourself into action." this is the mindset of the champion. the great ones, like bill gove, don't let feelings interfre with their performance. instead, they harness the power of their emotional motivators to propel them past the competition. average people see discipline as a painful chore to be avoided at all costs. the world class sees it as the ultimate power tool for performance.

"with self-discipline anything is possible. i believe discipline is the ultimate key to success as it determines your approach toward every day. discipline keeps you focused and keeps you performing at a world-class level." - roger d. graham jr. sr. vice president, marketing and sales, yamanouchi pharma-america

[dan stell (bam)]

40. the world class is determined to win.........................

as simple as it sounds, many times the only thing that separates winners from losers is pure determination. while the winning difference may be slight, the thought process that makes the difference is huge. amateur performers spend a substantial amount of time negotiating the price of victory. amateurs seem to have an endless tape looping through their minds, asking, "is the effort worth the reward for winning?" meanwhile, champions focus on winning. their attitude is. "whatever it takes." champions don't negotiate their efforts and sacrifices enroute to victory. the decision to pay any price and bear any burden in the name of victory was long before the game started. this subtle differencein thinking is a huge advantage. nowhere is this apparent than when pain occurs. amateurs feel pain and seek escape. professionals expect to feel pain and have been mentally trained to push past it while maintaining a world-class level of performance. champions are the warriors of the world. their outstanding preparation, both mental and physical, makes them unstoppable and ferocius on any performance field.

"winning isn't everything, but wanting to win is." - vince lombardi, 1913-1970, legendary coach, green bay packers

[dan stell (bam)]

31. champions dedicate their lives to greatness............................

professional performers are the most dedicated people alive. while amateurs are dedicated when things are going well, champions are always dedicated. in other words, it's not why they do, it's who they are. the great ones don't know any other way. their dedication to excellence shines through in everything they do. dedication is a habit they've developed; it serves as a cornerstone of their success and fulfillment in life. average people are more dedicated to pleasure than performance. the top 1% of the world-class performers invest thousands of dollars every year on self-development books, dvd's, cd's, seminars, workshops and retreats. most amateur performers haven't read a book since high school and wouldn't attend a self-development seminar unless you paid them. the masses tend to believe education ends with high school or collage graduation. the world class tends to believe formal education begins after school lets out. dedication to getting what they want from life is a driving force behind champions. while the masses seek perpetual pleasure, the great ones focus on achievement. the irony is that professional performers tend to experience great pleasure as a result of their achievement. such feelings of accomplishment and fulfillment are an additional benefit only the great ones enjoy.

"to succeed in life, one must have determination and must be prepared to suffer during the process. if one isn't prepared to suffer during adversities, i don't really see how he can be successful." - gary player, prefessional golfer

[dan stell (bam)]

sorry, i've haven't been keeping up with the post. i've been busy. next post will be today. thank you.

[dan stell (bam)]

42. champions are driven by a world-class belief system....................

make no mistake: champions are driven to succeed. many believe that only some people are born with this innate aptitude of ambition. studies show this isn't true. champions are driven to win, in most cases, because they believe they can. if you inherited a treasure map from your best friend, would you be driven to follow the map and find the fortune? so would anyone else. if this is true, why are the majority of the people simply trying to survive in a world of wealth and abundance? the answer is simple: they don't believe they can find their own treasure. this doesn't alter the fact that the treasure is there, yet it does change the drive of the performer. the human animal is only driven to the level their belief system will allow. most of us have been programmed by amateur performers with limited belief system, and subsecquently, small ambitions. as a result, they tend to attract other amamteurs as friends, who reinforce these limited beliefs and validate their lack consciousness. this cycle spins out of control until the drive is nearly nonexistent. amateurs rationalize their lack of drive with tall tales of bad break and unfortunate circumstances. meanwhile, the champions - no more intelligent or talented - become more focused and driven every day and continue to win.

"in the second grade, they asked us what we wanted to be. i said i wanted to be a ball player, and they laughed. in eighth grade, they asked the same question, and i said a ball player, and they laughed a little more. by the eleventh grade, no one was laughing." - johnny bench, major league catcher

[dan stell (bam)]

43. the world class has great expectations.............................

one of the greatest discoveries i've made in the last two decades as a mental toughness coach is the realization that world-class performers are driven by positive expectations. in other words, the great ones always expect to win regardless of what they are up against. the next dicovery i made was that this same positive expectation could be installed in anyone who wishes to possess it. it's a programming process that is easy to do;all it takes is desire and persistence. champions begin this programming process by creating the language they use when they talk to themselves, as well as the pictures they visualize. world-class performers literally talk themselves into believing anything that gives them a mental edge. call it positive brainwashing, programming, affirmation training, auto-suggestion - whatever label you choose. champions call it their ace in the hole. while most amateur performers rely on positive experience to build positive expectation, professional performers are superstars in their minds long before they are superstars in reality. why wait for mother nature to produce snow at a ski resort when it can be artificially produced right now? then, when it does snow, it simply adds power to a very solid base. expectations work weather it's built from real experience or programming. the advantage of programming is it is guaranteed to happen - while experience may or not occur.

"as your consciousness expands, your level of expectations will grow. keep asking yourself, am i selling myself short? most of us are." - john r. spannuth, president united states water fitness association."

[dan stell (bam)]

44. the great ones are the most enthusiastic people alive........................

all professional performers have discovered the real secret of greatness: enthusiasm for what they do. champions driven by an ebthusiasm that fires their soul and keeps them on the practice field long after everyone has gone home. the great ones know the raw, unbridled power of an enthusiastic mindset. amateurs tend to be more enthusiastic about the accomplishment of others, such as actors, sports stars and musicians. while amateurs are spending their enthusiasm on batting averages and the life energy into their field of choice. champions are willing to put themselves on the line and risk failure and rejection, while amateurs sit on the sidelines and observe without risk. champions often have the world view that life is a game to play to the best of their ability, with enthusiasm and tenacity, until their hearts stop beating. amateurs often think life is something to struggle through while avoiding pain at all costs. my friends and mentor, larry wilson, has great vision of their arrival at the pearly gates: the amateurs arrives, and saint peter says, "congratulations. you've arrived safely at death." champions know having something to be anthusiastic about is one the most important ingredients of a happy life. the great ones are either engaged in or actively seeking their passion everyday.

"all we really need to make us happy is something to be enthusiastic about." -charles kingsley, 1819-1875, novelist

[dan stell (bam)]

45. champions love what they do............................

it doesn't seem to matter what industry, profession, occupation or sport champions choose - the criteria for selection is almost always enjoyment. champions tend to choose their field based on pure enjoyment of the activity. some people say that champions don't pick their field, the field picks them. amateurs believe champions enjoy their work because they are successful. yet interviews with the superstars find the polar opposite to be true. champions are successful because they enjoy their work. as a result, they put their heart and soul into the activity, so much so that they surpass their competitors. college students of yesterday were often told to study business or computers, or law or medicine, because of the great finanicial potential. this single idea has probably created more average performers than any other. the progressive mindset of the 21st century is to study what you enjoy studying and put your heart and soul into it. the great ones know that money doesn't come from an occupation; it comes from solving people's problems. champions do so much extra study and work that they become experts, and often become wealthy as a result. professional performers not only see enjoying what they do as a philosophy, they see it as their single greatest asset and entry into the world class.

"i'd rather be a failure at something i love than a success at something i don't." - george burns, 1896 - 1996, comedian

[dan stell (bam)]

46. champions create a winning enviroment........................

have you ever noticed children of super-rich families often attract misery into their lives in a variety of ways? these children are raised in an enviroment of extreme privilege. as a result, they often develop a sense of entitlement that creates conflicting feelings as their lives progress. even at the age forty, some of these 'kids' are completely confused about how they fit into the world, because they never had an opportunity to learn and grow through adversity and challenges. their parents purchased their problems away, and left them with gaping psychological hole. similarly, amateurs performers tend to be their own worst enemies, and create misery and depression from a deep sense of disappointment of on going learning, growth and discipline. they often discover their greatest joy in the conquering of their greatest obstacles. while amateurs do everything possible to exist in an environment of confort, champions know the only true comfort comes from becoming the people they were meant to be learning and growing each day. amateurs think they are victims of their enviroment, and seem to thrive on blaming other people. professional performers realize the people who programmed them did the best they could, based on their level of awareness, and then take the necessary steps to reprogram themselves and create the world-class enviroment they deserve.

"the first step toward success is taken when you refuse to be a captive of the enviroment in which you find yourself." - mark caine, author

[dan stell (bam)]

47. the world class makes exercise a priority......................

amateurs tend to believe exercise is only for thr young, and it has little to do with success in the business world. studies show this to be false. in the last ten years, many companies have started corporate exericise programs and constructed workouts facilities on company premises. they know regular exericise is the single most significant aspect of good health, and good employee health goes right to the bottom line. champions have known this for years. they tend to invest at least an hour per day, every day, in some form of physical activity. they usually select an activity they really enjoy to insure it will become a habit. amateurs spend more time watching their favorite sports heroes exercise than they do exercising themselves. the cost of this inactive lifestyle is substantial, both physically and mentally. professional performers know a sound mind and sound body are one and the same, and they treat their physical activity with the same intensity and priority as they do their work. they schedule daily exericise and approach it with the vigor as a meeting with key customer. the biggest distinction between amateurs and pros in this area is the importance they place on adhering to their exericse routine. amateurs see exericise as a chore; pros see it as a necessity for world-class performance.

"exericise is king, nutrition is queen. put the two together and you have a kingdom." - jack lalane, fitness guru

[dan stell (bam)]

48. the great ones are professional failures.........................

the majority of the differences between amateurs and pros is a subtle separations. it's a slight difference in thinking that makes a big difference in results. the idea of failure is an example of this. amateurs tend to believe failure is painful and should be avoided in order to maintain a sense of pride and dignity. in an effort to protect their egos, they attempt only those things they know they can do. champions see failure as a necessary building block of mega-success, and treat it as a teacher. people labeled as failures are amateurs at failing. successful people are professional failures, who have failed their way to success. the difference is their mental approach. champions aren't in the business of protecting their egos; they're in the business of learning, growing and becoming. they see failures as necessary course adjustment - not always pleasant, yet necessary to gain the wisdom and mental toughness it's going to take to make their vision a reality. while amateurs spend a lot of time focusing on how not to fail, pros are dialed in to doing what it takes to succeed. this problem-solving, execution-based focus creates a greater awareness of more potential solutions. a focus on failure prevention creates an awareness of fear, lack and poverty. it's all a matter of where a performer places his attention.

"there can be no failure to a man who has not lost his courage, his character, his self-respect, or his self-confidence. he is still a king." - orsen swett marden, 1848-1924, founder, success magazine

[dan stell (bam)]

49. champions have tremendous faith...............................

faith has always a hallmark of world-class performers - most notably, the faith performers have in themselves. the great ones have an extremely high level of selftrust, even when they are failing. this faith in self may stem from being raised in a positive enviroment, or from performers talking themselves into it. muhammad ali admits he told the world he was the greatest before he truly was as a way to bolster his faith in his own skills, (i think it worked!) champions also have faith in their goals and dreams becoming reality, while amateurs are often deathly afraid of believing in something that may or may not happen. faith in GOD, a higher power, or an infinite intelligence is also a trait of many champions. there are atheists who are tremendous performers, yet as a rule, there seems to be a connection between professional performers and the spirtual side of life. many pros draw tremendous energy and power from a deep faith in a greater force. in recent years, many who were turned off by fear-based organizations religions in their childhood have turned to new-thought churches and centers, such as unity and science of mind. whatever the source of their spiritual faith, world-class performers do tend to hold strong spiritual convictions.

"we do not needs more intellectual power; we need more spiritual power .... we do not need more of the things that are seen, we need more of the things that are unseen. - calvin coolidge, 1872-1933, u.s. president

[dan stell (bam)]

50. champions handle fear like a snake charmer...................

the relationship performers have with fear is a significant distinction between amateurs and professonals. amateurs are controlled by their fears, while professionals learn to embrace their fears, like a snake handler holding a venomous king cobra by the neck. champions know if they get sloppy or stop paying attention, the cobra will take their life. the great ones use the energy and intensity of fear to drive them to greater heights. they learn how to become comfortable while performing in an uncomfortable state of mind. repeated exposure to their fears systematically desensitizes them, eventually depleting the fear. an iteresting phenomenon often occurs after this desensitization process - performers fall in love with the activity they used to fear. suddenly, they can't get enough of the activity, because it makes them feel so good. sinse the beginning of public opinion polls, the number one fear among people worldwide has always been public speaking. the fear of public humiliation is too much for the ego to bear; so most people develop a tremendous fear of speaking to groups. realizing the incredible force public speaking can be in their careers, many champions have faced this fear head-on and later fell in love with the emotional high public speaking offers. champions have learned emotional strenght and power lies on the other side of fear. on the other end of the spectrum, amateurs usually settle for the short-term gain of avoiding what they fear.

" 'come to the edge,' he said. they said. 'we are afraid.' 'come to the edge,' he said. they came. he pushed them... and they flew." - guillaume apollinaire, 1880-1918, poet

[dan stell (bam)]

51. the great ones evolve from fear to love based motivation..................

middle-class performers are mediocre because they have failed to identify the emotional motivators that burn from within. upper-class performers are full of emotional fire that is usually fueled by the fear of failure. while fear can be a tremendous motivator, it creates a lot of pain and suffering in the process. operating out of a fear and scarity based consciosness is a playing not to lose strategy, and through the law of attraction acts as a magnet for additional thoughts of fear and scarcity to enter the performers mind. these thoughts eventually manifest more fear and scarcity on the physical plane. the upper class includes some of the most successful people in the world, who are also some of the saddest. the fear that propels them to achieve is the same emotion that robs them of their fulfillment. the upper class consciousness is rooted in ego, where the pain of losing is stronger than the pleasure of winning. because of the fear this thought process attracts, the upper class tends to suffer much more than the world class. as soon as they succeed at whatever they are attempting, they are on to the next conquest, and the victories must get bigger for them to substain their ego-based gratification. the world class transcends this lower vibration by focusing their thoughts, language, and mental picture on love and abundance. the great ones are playing to win, and winning to them simply means learning and growing. they literally transcend the addiction to feeling superior to anyone else, and for being afraid to lose what they have. their dominant thoughts are on their vision for the future, and they pursue ir fearlessly.

" everyone has two choices, we're either full of love, or full of fear." - albert einstein

[dan stell (bam)]

52. champions understand the limits of money...................

in the pursuit of happiness, amateurs tend to seek reiches, while pros seek fulfillment. the irony is that champions create so much value in their quest for fulfillment that they often develop substantial riches. amateurs are usally looking for the quick buck. they believe being rich will fill the hole they feel inside, although few of them can say how much money that would require. in truth, no amount is sufficient, because the hole can only be filled by feeling of fulfillment. the great ones find fulfillment in their everyday work and activities. they never really chase fulfillment, yet they experience it simply by doing their work. amateurs believe money and the things money will buy are the keys to peace and fulfillment. professional performers graviate toward things that create sense of satisfaction in and of themselves. fulfillment is a mental state champions experience as a result of their elevated awareness. in essense, champions invest the necessary time and resources to discover what they love to do and then focus on doing it to the best of their ability. their fulfillment doesn't come from the results of their actions, but from the action themselves. the great ones are focused on the cause, rather than the effect. as a result, the effects (or results) take care of themselves. on the other end of the spectrum, the masses are focused on the effects, and often ignored the cause. even if they succeed in acquiring money and possessions, fulfillment continues to elude them, until they finally throw up their arms and say; "is this all there is?" the answer is yes, because money and material possessions are effects, and effects don't create cause. cause creates effects. this is why the pros seek fulfillment first through loving what they do for a living. this is a can't-miss strategy. their work creates a tremendous sense of fulfillment - even if the effects aren't reached. champions don't play for the money; they play because they love the game itself. the money - the effects is just on the cake.

"when you're doing something you love to do, the only reward you need is the experience of doingf it." - bill grove, 1912-2001, the father of proffessional speaking

[dan stell (bam)]

53. champions are future-oriented.........................

while amateurs often live in the past, champions look toward the future. pros habitually focus on the present while creating their ultimate vision for, and landscape of, the future. this future orientation allows them to dream of grand visions and unlimited possibilities. it also keeps them motivated and moving forward by keeping the proverbial carrot out in front. amateurs like to talk about the good old days, and how they wish things were like they were before. professionals performers are just the opposite. the pros revere and respect the past, but place responsibility for the future squarely on their shoulders. taking personal responsibility for failures, successes and actions in general is a trait of the world-class performers. the saying "if it is to be, it is up to me." reflects their beliefs. average people would rather see themselves as victims of circumstances beyond their control. the great ones make their own circumstances and respond with a higher level of awareness to negative events in their lives. their execution-based focus and future orientation keeps them on track. it all begins with taking full responsibility for their lives and their futures.

"all great leaders have vision and idealization in which they can continually imagine the perfect outcome to all situations." - brain tracu, author and speaker

[dan stell (bam)]

54. the great ones challenge the facts.........................

most progress relies on professional performers who stand up, challenge the status quo and push the envelope. the great ones definitely dance to the beat of a different drummer, and i thank God they do. many great breakthroughs and innovations are made by champions who ignore the facts and figures. while amateurs are content with the status quo, pros are always seeking a better, faster, more efficent, effective method or way of doing things. the great ones derive incredible pleasure from ongoing growth and development, while amateurs quietly fear change will create more demanding or less pleasurable conditions. to amateurs performers, champions can appear to be outrageous in their wants and desires. amateurs are accustomed to the way things are, and prefer to keep it that way. without champions, innovation and progress would be almost nonexistent. at the beginning of the 20th century, many scienctists believed every major innovation and invention
has been discovered. this type of thinking is difficult to sell to pros, who tend to listen only to other pros. while champions take facts into consideration, they just don't allow them to carry as much weight as an amateurs do. the great ones know progress relies on the unreasonable men or women who stand up and challenge the facts, and then take intelligent action to exceed them.

"when the dream is big enough, the facts don't count." - ray young, entrepreneur and speaker

[dan stell (bam)]

55. champions are driven by fun..........................

one of the most closely-held secrets of world-class performers is how much fun they have in what they do. outsiders see big-time performers as super self-disciplined, self-sacrificing, success-and-achievement machines. yet a closer look gives a more accurate portrayal of what really drives these people: fun. champions have more fun in their work than any other group. they take whatever time is neecessary to choose a career path that encompasses their natural talents, abilities, and most of all, their passions. amateurs have a difficult time competing with pros because most amateurs hate their jobs - one of the primary reasons they're amateurs in the first place! professional performers are highly disciplined of course, yet their core drive and mental fortitude seem to come from the pure fun, excitement, enjoyment and exhilaration of their work. average people go to work and plod through the day; champions go to work and have fun. this is one of the reasons amateurs cannot compete with pros - it's a mismatch from the start. one is focused on surviving, while the other is just playing a game and having fun.

"when you have confidence, you can have a lot of fun, and when you have fun, you can do amazing things." - joe namath, professional football player

[dan stell (bam)]

56. the great ones learn to forgive.............................

professional performers' heightened awareness allows them to forgive freely. while average people plot revenge, champions release their ememies and move on. the amateurs approach stems from ego; the professional approach from spirit. the habit of forgiveness is a significant distinction between the masses and the champions. professonal performers understand that mental toughness and power ultimately come from a mindset of love - love for what they do, who they are and for the people with whom they interact. this is not to be confused with the age of aquarius and the free love movement of the 1960s, although they were probably on the right track in the beginning. all human actions and reactions have their root in one of two forms of consciousness: fear or love. if people were primarily logical creatures, this concept wouldn't make sense. human beings, however, are primarily emotional creatures who often operate in irrational ways. champions know this, which is the reason they're able to forgive. emotional creatures who operate at a lower level of conscious awareness tend to say ignorant things and behave in thoughtless ways. expecting human beings to behave logically all the time is like expecting machines to feel emotion. the great ones operate from a love-based consciousness that recognizes the emotion-based irrational behavior of people. champions are much more forgiving than average people because of this knowledge.

"the weak can never forgive. forgiveness is the attitude of the strong." - mahatma ghandi, 1869-1948, indian leader

[dan stell (bam)]

57. champions know why they are fighting.........................

average performers never fully tap into their own psyches, and as a result, they are unmotivated to dream big dreams. world-class performers know what they are willing to fight - and - even die - for. this is a critical trait of the great ones. they draw their motivation and willpower intrinsically, whareas the middle class waits for the motivational mood to strike. professional performers invest a tremendous amount of time thinking about what makes them tick in an effort to uncover their deepest, most powerful emotional motivators. when the going gets tough and the pain kicks in, average people back off from a goal or task. this is when the world class really begins to fight. when they begin to feel physical or phychological pain, they go inside themselves and on their vast reserves of emotional power. when pain strikes, the subconscious mind asks the conscious mind, "what must i suffer?" the great ones know the answer is their vision. when their subconscious determines the vision is worth fighting and suffering for, their level of motivation soars. this is one of the major reasons there is such a chasm between amateurs and pros. the difference may be small at the start, but as the pain and suffering esculate, the performance gap becomes larger and larger, to the point of a total mismatch. you don't pit amateurs against pros. it's like feeding a man to a lion.

"one of the hallmarks of the great ones is their level of awareness as to what they are willing to fight for. they're willing to make their visions reality." - steve siebold

[dan stell (bam)]

58. champions know very good is bad...................................

the world class controls over 90% of the wealth in america for a simple reason: they are competing in a marketplace full of amateurs. the only group that has a fighting chance against the great ones is the upper class, which represents approxiximately 10% of the population. at mental toughness university, we classify most members of the upper class as 'very good performers'. in other to ascend to the world class, performers must be classified as 'great'. at the highest levels of performance, very good is considered to be bad. there are lots of performers who are very good, but great performers are rare. at the height of my tennis career, i was a very good player, but compared to the world class, i was bad. very good performers are no match for the great ones. the difference between a very good leader and a great leader is the respect and loyality of his/her team. the difference between a very good doctor and a great doctor can be life and death. the difference between a very good salesperson and a great salesperson is financial freedom. for the average person, to be classified as very good is something to be proud of. for the great ones,it's an insult. both groups have the same potential. the only difference is in their thinking.

"the mental toughness process is not about going from good to very good--it's about going from good to great. anyone who settles for very good is destined to spend their golden years bathed in a sea of regret, wondering why." - steve sienbold

[dan stell (bam)]

59. the world class embraces free enterprise..................

the free enterprise system in american has created more great champions than anything else in the history of civilization. since the world class operates from a fealless state of abundance, they tend to embrace the free enterprise system. many great ones cut their entrepreneurial teeth in the corporate world and then launch a business. some choose to become professional performers within the corporate structure. these champions make the shrewd decision to use the collective knowledge, power and systems of their billion-dollar employers. they don't relish the recongnition and gratification of being in business for themselves; they prefer to flourish and grow within the corporate system. while most rank-and-file employees are more interested in where they're going on vaction than moving forward in their careers, the great ones often think of the company as their own. the free enterprise system lives within them. every move they make serves the company for which they work. these performers are a rare breed, especially in times when the masses believe their companies have no loyalty to them. this sense of distrust gives middle-class performers an excuse to coast. the great ones are aware that their performance and work ethic are about them, not the company. world-class performers are always reinforcing the habit of excellence - one of the reasons they will always be in demand in any economy.

"that some should be rich shows that others may become rich, and hence is just encouragement to industry and enterprise." - abraham lincoln, 1809-1865, u.s. president

[dan stell (bam)]

60. champions believe in global citizenship........................

the world class believes in the philosophy of one collective global economy. this is evident by their participation in search group as rotary international and other that focus on assisting people globally. true champions know what happens in bombay affects what happens in chicago, and what happens in sydney affects what happens in tokyo. average people hardly know their own neighbors. this middle class seldom looks beyond their own hometowns and tends to have an isolationist philosophy. they are not any less caring than their world-clas counterparts; they are simply unaware of the impact countries and people have on each other. with their expanded global world-view, professional performers create ideas that usually have no geographical boundaries. the world wide web has expanded this awareness even more, yet the middle class fails to embrace this philosophy as a whole. until more people raise their level of awareness, the great ones will have to foot the bill for everyone. the end of mediocrity as we know it doesn't seem to be anywhere in sight.

" without a global revolution in the sphere of human consciousness, a more humane society will not emerge." - vaclav havel, czech republic president

[dan stell (bam)]

61. the great ones don't give back...they just give.......................

world-class performers usually have strong philosophy when it comes to giving. middle-class consciousness is rooted deeply in fear, but world-class consciousness is rooted in love and abundance. professional performers tend to have a world view that there is, and always will be, more than enough of everything to go around. as a result , they tend to give freely. people operate at poverty-, work-, and middle-class levels of awareness will give from time to time, yet there is a difference. they tend to give in order to get. in other words, people at lower levels of awareness often see giving as a trade. it's an "i give you this, so you have to give me that," mentality. the great ones give because they believe it's the right thing to do, and as a result, they experience much deeper levels of fulfillment than average people. world-class performers are not more generous; they simply believe they'll never run out of resources and that the world operates from total abundance. giving is easy when you believe the source of supply is unlimited. the world-class mindset is pure love, with no beginning, no end and no limits. the amateur-class philosophy demands that all giving be measured, for fear the fountain will run dry. as a result of this subtle distractions, the world class gives more, gets more, and attracts more.

"don't just give back...just give." - nido qubein, author, speaker, philanthropist

[dan stell (bam)]

62. the world class is obsessed with their goals..................

average performers set their goals on news year's eve and don't look at them again until the next new year's eve. the world class is in a constant goal-setting mode. champions are goal setting machines - they know the cornerstone of all achievements is mental clarity. professional performers are evolving so rapidly they usually find it necessary to review - and sometimes reset their goals on a daily basis. one of the secrets of their success is this daily exposure to their goals. only 3% of americans have clearly defined written goals, and less than 1% can identify their primary goal and objective in life. this attention to detail gives the great ones an incredible advantage over their middle-class counterparts. as average performers begin to forget what their goals are because of a lack of exposure to them, the pros are imbedding their goals deep into their subconscious mind daily. their minds are like guided missles, always adjusting and correcting to maintain accuracy toward the target. champions have a singleness of purpose most people will never take the time to discover, and this thought process allows them to climb higher every day.

"there is one quality which one must possess to win, and that is definiteness of purpose, the knowledge of what one wants, and a burning desire to possess it." - napolean hill, 1883-1970, author

[dan stell (bam)]

63. the great ones believe they cannot fail...they can only learn and grow.......

champions are committed to never-ending personal and professional growth. average performers believe learning and growing begins and ends in school. the world-class ranks realize graduation is the beginning of the road, not the end. professional performers attempt so many things over the course of their lifetimes that their mental growth rate is staggering compared to the masses. while amateurs avoid risk at any cost, the great ones are always looking for opportunities. they are willing to fail their way to success. the belief of the champion, according to author larry wilson, is "i cannot fail ... i can only learn and grow." this belief makes pros very dangerous performers. while average people attempt to win while simultaneously trying to avoid pain, champions give it the full-court press with little or no concern about failing. champions have programmed themselves to disengage their fear and move full speed ahead. the middle and lower class are amateurs are at failing; they are afraid of it they only attempt goals they know they can reach. the feelings of bliss that champions experience don't stem from their successes, but from the fulfillment of the growth that occurred along the way.

"growth itself contains the germ of happiness" - pearl s. buck, 1892-1973, author

[dan stell (bam)]

64. champions are world-class communicators..........................

champions know that one of the most ctitical factors for success is their skill in dealing with people. average performers know this as well, yet while the masses attempt to communicate and influence people though logic, the great ones know human beings are emotional creatures masquerading as logical creatures. based on this information, champions tweak their approach. the crown jewel of champion-level success with other people is knowing critical factor in human relations - helping people fulfill their insatiable desire to feel important. from doctors to bus drivers, emotional creatures crave validation and acceptance ... and professional performers know it. as a result, their conversations are peppered with language that makes others feel important. in business, average workers converse for professional satifactions. the great ones converse to influence and persuade other to see their unique points of view.

"when dealing with people, remember that you are not dealing with creatures of logic, but with creatures of emotion." - dale carnegie, 1888-1955, author

[dan stell (bam)]

65. champions are products of their habits........................

average performers think of habits as something to break, like smoking or eating to much. professional performers know successful habits are the key to the kingdom. each and every day, the great ones reinforce their success habits, such as exercise, proper diet, showing up early/staying late, and studying their field. champions have a sacred respect for the power that habits exhibit in their life. the pros know if they allow their championship habits to slip for even one day, the habit will begin to atrophy. the great ones know it's more difficult to develop a champion habit than to lose it. they understand the magnificent force of movementum can work for or against them. as a result, they tend to protect their success habits with an almost religious fervor. champions are keenly aware of how their habits impact every area of their lives, because they always look inside themselves and listen for answers. average people are oblivious to success-habit formation, unless the pain from an unhealthy habit becomes too great. habits are the raw materials from which the great ones are made.

"we first make our habits, and then our habits make us." - john dryden, 1631-1700, author, playwriter

[dan stell (bam)]

66. the great ones understand the power of humility.....................

while average people never consider the magnitude humility plays in the ability to solicit help from others, the pros have reverence for it. professional performers know humility is one of the most effective approaches ever created to influence people. the case for humility, even for the best performers, is easily made. even members of the world class stumble and fall many more times than thay succeed. humility is the natural order of the human condition, yet average people walk around clouded by ego and false pride. this is undoubty costing them dearly in relations with others. a braggart is essentially saying, "i'm better than you." that's not a good approach to a species who craves the feeling of importance. champions recognize the damage done through boasting, and adopt an attitude of gracious humility. the champion's self-confidence is no less than braggart's. as a matter of fact, all of the pros i've ever known have what they call inner arrogance. the difference: they don't display this arrogance outside their own thought process. this supreme confidence is necassary to compete at the world-class level, but pros know how to conceal this well-earned positive sense of self.

"if anything goes bad, i did it. if anything goes semi-good, we did it. if anything goes really good, then you did it. that's all it takes to get people to win football games for you." - paul "bear" bryant 1913-1983, legondary football coach

[dan stell (bam)]

67. the world class achieves happiness from being and becoming, not acquiring and possessing.........................

while average people are on a psycholigical manhunt for happiness, the world-class ranks recognize that happiness cannot be pursued directly. the great ones know happiness is a byproduct of living life to the fullest. the pros forget chasing happiness and turn their attention to fulfilling the vision they have carefully constructed. happiness eludes the masses because they haven't invested the time and energy to study the animal. the masses repeatedly attempt to create happiness from the outside in, whereas the great ones know sustained happiness stems from being and becoming, not acquiring and possessing. average people have mastered short-term happiness, easily gained through instant gratification mechanisms such as eating, spending money, or engaging in any pleasurable activity. the world class invest a substantial amount of time insuring their future happiness by creating congruency between who they are, what they're doing, and where they're going. champions are masters at doing such things as marrying the right person, selecting jobs they love and building friendships with people they admire and respect. as a result, they indirectly develop an incredible sense of gratitude and happiness.

"the human spirit needs to accomplish, to achieve, to triumph, to be happy." - ben stein, author and actor

[dan stell (bam)]

68. champions believe in honesty...........................

champions pride themselves on being honest, open and straightforward. they carry these philosophies into everything they do, and are unwilling to sacrifice them. while some people acquire wealth dishonestly, professional performers know real success lies in who you become, as opposed to what you acquire. the great one focus their efforts on becoming the kind of people who can attract the things they want out of life. some amateurs performers believe success can be acquired (even if it's dishonestly) and will manifest feeling of happiness. average people have a lottery-like mentality, which is not dishonest, but it carries the premise that more money and material possessions automatically lead to being happier and more fulfilled. the great ones have learned the real victory is what they become as a result of the struggle. removing removing the struggle removes the victory. if honestly is removed, the rich, the richest of the achievements is diminished.

"it is possible that the scrupulously honest man may not grow rich so fast as the unscrupulous and dishonest one; but the success will be of a truck kind, earned without fraud or injustice. and even though a man should, for a time, be unsuccessful, still he must be honest: better to lose it all and save character. for character is itself a fortune." - samual smiles, physician, author

[dan stell (bam)]

69. the world class knows great ideas are the solution to success...............

ideas are the business champion's primary asset. they have the power to alter the world for the better. average people greatly underestimate the potential value of their own ideas. professional performers know money will flow from any idea that solves a problem, and the bigger the problem, the richer the payoff. champions cultivate their own ideas and the ideas of the other world-class performers. the great ones are always engaged in critical thinking as it relates to problem solving, and as a result, treat ideas with the respect they deserve. amateurs performers tend to dismiss many ideas before they have a chance to be properly evaluated and tested. when things get tough, the masses turn to others for help. when times get tough for champions, they turn their attention to the inner workings of their minds so they can capture and cultivate great ideas that can help turn things around. average performers turn to outside sources when when money gets tight, but the great ones get quiet and focus on their thoughts and feelings, looking for ideas on how to raise money fast. most people never take their ideas beyond the talking stage, but if champions believe in the idea, they move to the next step without hesitation.

"the ideas i stand for are not mine; i barrowed them from socrates. i swiped them from chesterfield. i stole them from jesus. and i put them in a book. if you don't like their rules, whose would you use?" - dale carnegie, 1888-1955, author

[dan stell (bam)]

70. the great ones are products of their own imagination.......................

while average performers think of imagination as child's play, the world class relies it as a mental preview of things to come. before champions make a move, they have lived out the scenario through imagination. the great ones know imagination is the first step in the design of the perfect house or perfect life. through this powerful faculty, they can preview their futures. champions often go on sabbaticals to places of great natural beauty for the sole purpose of heightening their sense of imagination when pursuing the solution to a problem. pros understand the power of their creative mind, and streghthen their imaginative skills by drawing on them daily. the masses are oblivious to this awesome natural gift. champions combine the power of imagination with their penchant for action, and the results are the stuff of which dreams are made. while the middle class is scolding their children for daydreaming and letting their imaginations run, the great ones are impacting the world with manifestation of their visions. as the aborigines are fond of saying, the world class is literally "dreaming their world alive."

"the great, successful men of the world have used their imagination ... they think ahead and create their mental picture, and then go to work materializing that picture in all its details, filling in here, adding a little there, altering this a bit, but steadily building, steadily building." - robert collier, 1885-1950, author

[dan stell (bam)]

71. champions don't let feelings get in their way............................

people operating at the poverty-, working-, and middle-class levels of awareness are always getting ready to get started towards their goals. the poverty class is going to find work soon; the working class is getting ready to move up from night shift to day shift; the middle class is going to start working on that graduate degree one of these days. all have good intentions; yet they rarely move beyond their intentions. they are always waiting and wondering when the time will be better for them to begin. they are waiting for their emontions to motivate them to action, and as a result, they become slaves to their feelings. champions are masters of their emotions, and they know that waiting to feel like taking action is a losing proposition. they believe there is never a better time to get started than today, and that tomorrow is merely a promissory note; that any day could end up being their last. the great ones operate with keen sense of urgency, dreaming of the future while firmly rooted in the present. average people are smart enough and gifted enough to make their dreams come true, yet tend to wait so long to attempt anything substantial that, by the time they have failed enough to have learned the lessons they need to succeed, their life is over. professional performers have a heightened sense of life's timeline, and their actions reflect. while the masses are waiting for the mood to strike them to act, the great ones start acting, regardless of whether they feel like it or not. this small distraction in their thought process makes the difference between living their dreams and dying with their music still inside them.

"it's easier to act your way into good thinking, than it is to think your way into good action." - bill grove, 1912-2001, the father of professional speaking

[dan stell (bam)]

72. the world class operates from love and abundance.......................

average performers never consider the broad scope of significance love has on everything we do. professional performers know we can only operate from one of two frames of consciousness at any given time - ego or spirit. middle-class performers are masters of operating from ego, in which pride and self-righteousness are the objectives of the game. amateurs performers believe their success is primarily their own doing. they believe in the self-made man/woman theory. the world class is aware that all good things come from the spirit of love. they know love is the natural order of the universe, and that ego and self-pride have been created by man over the centuries to cover a fragile self-image. many people feel inferior to others and mask their feelings by displaying false pride and bravado. the great ones embrace love as guidance as the root of their success and feelings of fulfillment. they know that without the loving guidance and support of others, they could not have reached or even dreamed of aspiring to the world class. their recognition of the gratitude for the power of love creates more abundance in their lives. this fountain of potential continues to bless the champions. the only thing that can clog the system is ego, which is evil stepchild of fear. the great ones lock the door when ego comes to town. they only acknowledge the spirit-based consciousness, which they recognize by its calling card: love and abundance. ego cannot exist in this realm, only gratitude. while the amateur egotistically believes he is responsible for his great success, the pros know the abundance of life comes from a far greater source.

"life in abundance comes only through great love." - elbert hubbart, farmer, author

spirit or ego?

the spirit is ..................... the ego is ...
.non-judgemental ..............judgemental
.loving ............................fear driven
.accepting .......................afraid of risk
.tolerant .........................competitive
.devoid to pretension..........pretentious
.calm ..............................rushes
.abundant ........................scarce
.friendly ...........................friend-less
.win/win ...........................win/lose
.forgiving ..........................unforgiving
.self-less ..........................selfish
.creative ..........................frustrated

[dan stell (bam)]

73. world-class leaders are willing to get fired everyday......................

amateurs thinkers make lousy leaders because they operate out of a fear-based consciousness. fear-based succumb to politics and pressure, which cripples their ability to lead. professional thinkers operate out of love and abundance and fearlessly lead their people to become more than they ever believe possible. the most common commodity is corporate america is the sales manager who craves the approval and friendship of his sales team. this manager is more interested in making friends than developing champions. the second most common commodity is the sales manager who rules her team with an iron fist, refusing to consider feedback or imput from the field. both of these managers are performing out of fear, and both a dime a dozen. the world-class leader is neither dictator nor baby sitter. great sales leaders have only two objectives: drive sales and develope people. sometimes that means being unpopular and pushing people beyond their comfort zones, and other times it means being there for a team member who has hit rock bottom. world-class leaders are chameleons who are able to change and adapt to any situation, always with the same goal in mind: bringing out the best in the people they lead. sometimes that means being tough. other times it means being tender. championship leaders are always walking the razor's edge, and are willing to take risk necessary to achieve their objectives, even to point of being fired. the great ones never play it safe when it comes to leading their team through changes, knowing their job is to serve as a guide and a coach to their teams. world-class leaders follow their values and beliefs and lead boldly and fearlessly. if their leadership costs them their job, the pros know they can write their own ticket and work for any company they choose. the welcome mat is always out for the great ones.

"any great leader or coach has to be willing to put it all on the line. you have to be willing to be fired every day when it comes to standing up for what you believe in." - billie jean king, tennis legend and coach

[dan stell (bam)]

74. champions don't care how gets the credit.......................

average performers believe information is the key to whatever success they've had, and they tend to hoard it for fear of losing their power. champions are different. champions know that information is everywhere. the secret is taking action on the information and developing competence. middle-class performers are stuck in the mindset that knowledge is power, when the truth is that intelligent use of knowledge is and always has been the seat of the true power. pros are information-sharing conduits for their organizations. because they are working from a spirit-driven, instead of ego-based mindset, who gets the credit makes no difference. amateurs are afraid that, if they don't get the credit often enough, they will be forced out of their companies. every decision to share information is carefully considered by amateurs. the pros operate from abundance; fear is the last thing on their minds. creating dynamics, positive feedback loop is an ongoing mission for the champions. in their roles as leaders, they have driven fear out of their organization. people are encouraged to challenge ideas and information ever costs them their position, they are always in demand in the marketplace. the pros will always share information and credit, and will always be able to write their own ticket.

"knowledge is power, which is why people who had it in the past often tried to make a secret of it. in post-capitalism, power comes from transmitting information to make it productive, not from having it." - peter druker, consultant

[dan stell (bam)]

75. champions are zealots for change....................

average performers hold on to skills, competencies, and mindsets that have gotten them to the position they hold today. champions know business and technology are changing so rapidly that constant innovation is the only way to thrive and survive. while average performers are addicted to the methods and strategies of the past, pros know that, by the time most products hit the shelves, they are nearly obsolete. the world they were trained to succeed in during school no longer exists and the rules keep changing. amateurs struggle to keep things the same, while pros embrace change at all levels and learn to thrive on it. middle-class performers see change as a threat; world-class performers see it as the most exciting time in human history. the great ones know constant innovation is the order of the day. they always look for a better way. as a result, great innovation collectively leads to more rapid change. professional performers see all of this as a game in which the individual who can be the most open, flexible and innovative wins. average people yearn for the good old days. the great ones know these are good old days.

"the people who get into trouble in our company are those who carry around the anchor of the past." - jack welch, former chairman and ceo, general electric

[dan stell (bam)]

76. the great ones operate with integrity.............................

while operating from a mindset of fear and scarcity, average people tend to view integrity as a luxury they hope to be able to keep. in their effort to survive in a world they believe is out to get them, integrity often gets left behind. pros have the advantage of operating from love and abundance, which dictates that integrity be the baseline of every action taken. champions have a reputation for total integrity; it is the foundation of their entry into any playing field. the great ones are always welcomed. their co-workers, collegues and contacts know that when push comes to shove, champions will always do the right thing. integrity is a habit of the pros, not because it succeeds, but because it's the right thing to do. when a champion tells you he will do something, you can take it to the bank. their handshake is a binding contract. contrary to what they teach in business school, handshake deals are still very common among the world class. the great ones play by different rules, and rule number one is total integrity.

"in looking for people to hire, you look for three qualities: integrity, intelligence, and energy. if they don't have the first, the other two will kill you." - warren buffet, ceo, berkshire hathaway

[dan stell (bam)]

77. the great ones are bold...............................

champions, in genereal, are a bold group of people. their superior self-confidence allows them to constanly push the envelope. where average people are afraid they will not be liked or respected by others, champions are only concerned with whether their efforts will impress their mentor teams and their networks of contacts. average, people appear lazy to champions, so their opinions and ridicule don't hold much weight. the downside of the world-class boldness is brazenness - when boldness is simply taken too far. champions are so laser-focused on their targets and objectives that they can push too hard at times. this is when their mentor teams become the eyes and ears of the performers and get them back on track. the great ones are always pushing. boldness is so prevalent in champions because their belief system keeps telling them they're getting close to victory, and a little more effort will do the trick. what average people see as being pushy, champions see as part of the price for success. it's a small nuance in thinking that leads to very large results.

" only the bold get to the top." - publilius syrus, 1st century b.c. writer of mimes

[dan stell (bam)]

78. champions are interdependent..............................

average people tend to view the thoughts and ideas of others not only as potentially useful, but also as threatening to their egos and existence. as a result, amateurs are severely limited in the size and scope of their accomplishments. champions understand the world is an interdependent, complex network in which the aggregate potenial is limitless. the pros don't need to ride off into the sunset as heroes. they prefer to tackle bigger ideas and accomplish more by working with a team of like-minded, high-integrity, world-class individuals. ross perot said it well: "life is more like a cobweb than an organizations of the future must rely on the collective collaboration of the team. with this in mind, the pros embrace and celebrate the contributions of all team members. the amateurs feel threatened by the group, and set out to insure they are properly credited by their superiors. the great ones do the exact opposite. they want to insure individual team members receive enough credit for their contributions without being overshadowed by people in more visible roles. the difference creates a phenomenon know as "ferocios cooperation."

"if we are to compete effectively in today's world, we must begin to celebrate collective entrepreneurship - endeavors in which the whole of the effort is greater than the sum of the individual contributions. we need to honor our teams more, our leaders and maverick geniuses less." - robert reich, former u.s. secratary of labor in the clinton administration

[dan stell (bam)]

79. the world class knows the leader's primary role...................

averager performers see the leader as an authority figure who has the power to hurt them. as a natural result of this fear, amateurs focus on staying out of their leader's line of sight, hoping to avoid trouble. champions embrace leadership for what it is: the facilitation, guidance, and influence necessary to bring about change. the pros know leadership, at its highest level, is facilitated by example. while average people view leadership as a role, the great ones know the heart and soul of leading goes well beyond the title or position. the pros know a leader's role only creates a limited amount of influence. they know leadership is dependent on gaining the respect and admiration of a group of people who independently decide to follow. leadership is bringing out the best in people for the common good of the orginization, and placing the credit where it honestly belongs: with the team. the pros see leadership as building a team, connected both intellectually and spiritually, in order to manifest the vision of the unit. it is a humbling and awesome responsibility. champions are grateful for the opportunity to bring about change and evolve as induviduals at the same time.

" leadership is not a designated position; it's a phenomoenon. it is people following people because they want to, not because they have to." - larry wilson, founder, wilson learning corporation

[dan stell (bam)]

80. a world-class attitude leads to world-class happiness...................

world-class performers all seem to agree that attitude is everything. our research shows some champions are more focused on attitude than others. while two people might be at the same level of success, the one more focused on attitude reports being happier. while the masses try not to have a bad attitude in their struggle to survive, champions have a positive attitude and always try to improve their mental approach to life. while average people view the ideas of attitude as fluff and rah-rah motivation, the world class sees it as the cornerstone of life. they realize their attitude has an impact on everyone they meet and everything they do, as well as a monumental effort on their level of happiness and fulfillment. at some point, champions realize the self-fulfillment nature of their own mental approach to life, and make a decision to talk themselves into the attitude they wish to have. with this in mind, it would make sense that the higher ups in any organization have better attitudes. in our research, we found this to be true in most cases. yet our research disclosed something i believe is even more profound: the better the attitude towards life, the happier people seemed to be. this proves the old idea that we create our own sense of happiness, regardless of our station or lot in life.

" i have a one-word definition of attitude: life. attitude is the difference maker in life. it's the treasure that lies within you. a positive attitude is the key that jumps starts your life. attitude dictates wheather you're living life or life is living you. attitude determines wheather you are on the way or in the way." - keith harrell, speaker and author

[dan stell (bam)]

81. champions seek balance..............................

average people don't really have an issue with balance, because they are not fully engaged in their work. balance is the achilles' heel of world-class performers. in a perfect balance world, the world-class could strike the perfect balance between work, leisure, and life. in reality, the great ones are embroiled in a constant struggle to maintain a balanced life. average performers think their life is out of balance if they work after 5 p.m. , pull a night shift once in a while, or work on a weekend. they want the same luxuries the world class enjoys yet are unwilling to work for those luxuries. they will swear this isn't true, but the proof is in the pudding. middle-class mentality creates middle-class results. the numbers never lie. average people live a life of self-deception and quiet desperation, yet argue their life is out of balance because they work so hard. the pros have the opposite problem. they burn the candle at both ends, and usually need more rest and recovery time than they allow themselves. some of the great ones have mastered balance, but most walk a thin line between over-achievement and under-relaxation. as one of them admitted to me recently, "yeah, i do struggle with balance, and i'm working on it. but on the other hand, i'd rather burn out than rust out." the masses err on the side of too much leisure, while the world class errs on the side of too much work. if you had to bet every cent on one of them being successful and happy, who would you put your money on? your answer says a lot about which group you inhabit.

" there is more to life than increasing its speed." - mahatma ghandi, 1869-1948, indian leader

[dan stell (bam)]

82. champions are good listeners........................

amateur performers underestimate the power of listening. in conversation, while others are talking, they're thinking about what they're going to say next. the pros are very different. they see listening as a key factor in uncovering what is really going on inside the minds of other people. human beings are emotional creatures, with a driving need to be understood, yet 95% of us aren't listening. the champions understand this need and use it to connect with people on an emotional and spiritual level. world-class salespeople know listening to the needs of the prospect is the single most important thing you can do in the sales process. world-class managers know questions and listening to their sales people are the most effective methods of getting to know what motivates and moves them to action. the great ones practice listening in meetings, at cocktail parties and anywhere else they can hone their skills. professional performers have a profound respect for the art of listening and they can use this skill to help them achieve their goals.

" listen to evryone in your company. and figure out ways to get them talking. the folks on the front line - the ones who actually talk to the customer - are the only ones who really know what 's going on out there. you'd better find out what they know." - sam malton, 1919-1992, founder, wal-mart

[dan stell (bam)]

83. the great ones are masters of momentum..................

the masses are oblivious to the magnitude of the role momentum plays in the performance of emotional creatures. the world class knows an emotional creature on a hot streak can become a champion if the momentum lasts long enough. momentum is a state of mind that ignites energy, enthusiasm and passion. a professional salesperson who thinks he is 'in momentum' sounds and acts like a different person. in fact, emontionally speaking, he is a different person. the great ones use momentum to fuel their passion and transfer their beliefs to others. professional performers learn to control their emontions and create the perception of momentum before it technically exists. the great ones know if the perception of momentum is present, confidence and power will continue to increase. while average people stumble into momentum from time to time, world-class performers create this emotional thought process from scratch. momentum is a subjective emotional perception, and therefore can be manufactured in the mind. this artificial creation attracts more momentum, until world-class performers are rolling forward like a locomotive. the major distinction: average people wait for momentum to strike. the great ones create it on demand.

" momentum producers understand an important law of physics: 'objects at rest have no momentum.' they know the power of their thinking, planning and acting. bottom line--momentum producers are hard to stop." - david pollay, founder, the momentum project

[dan stell (bam)]

84. world-class achievement requires teamwork......................

world-class performers learn to see their greatest achievements as a team effort. they realize grand achievements demand more than one person can deliever. they enlist other great performers to join the team, and often give most of the credit for their achievements to these talented team members. they have graduated from the ego-driven stage of the self-made man/women theory, realizing that there is no such thing. they love the admiration for their achievements, yet are more than happy to share the kudos with their teammates. this shared work/credit philosophy allows champions to take on bigger projects with bold vision. when they approach an opportunity, they think of the talents they will have to assemble to be successful, with little or no thought of who will get the credit for the success. their world view of achievement seems to be, "it takes a village." in some cases, champions are the team leaders, yet they are willing to be subordinates if it serves the best for the project and/or makes the most sense stragically. in the minds of champions, hard work and achievement are the building blocks of a successful and happy life.

" what is the recipe for successful achievement? to my mind, there are just four major essential ingredients: choose a career you love... give it the best you have in you. seize your opportunities... and be a member of a team." - benjamin fairless, 1890-1962, former president, u.s. steel

[dan stell (bam)]

85. champions evolve from proving themselves to expressing themselves.............

amateur performers are often driven by a need to prove themselves to themselves and other people. this need can easily become an addiction for a person who craves acceptance and validation from the outside world. professional performers evolve to a higher level of consciusness where outside approval is no longer motivaed to take action to achieve this acceptance. the great ones are often motivated through self-expression, by the need to share unique talents and abilities with the world. abraham maslow, the father of humanistic psychology, said it this way: "in order for human beings to reach self-actualization, they must become all they can be. the writer must write. the painter must paint. the salesperson must sell." the world class doesn't do these things to please other people, gain notoriety or get rich. they do it because it expresses who they are th themselves. in essence, champions learn who they are in the act of self-expression, and often choose to share themselves with the world. the act of proving oneself is based in spirit and rooted in the love of wanting to share and celebrate a person in uniquessness and inner beauty. proving oneself is a process that must be forced onto others because of the attachments the performer has to the outcome. expressing oneself is a natural process that has no attachment to anything or anyone. the more praise they get, the more they need to feel good about themselves. expressing oneself creates feelings of fulfillment in the act itself, regardless of any outcome. it's one of the reasons the great ones are more mentally tough then their amateur counterparts.

" the ego-driven middle class and upper class are out to prove themselves. the spirit-driven world class wishes only to express themselves. one struggles against the current while the other floats peacefully down the river." - steve siebold

[dan stell (bam)]

86. world-class managers see themselves as change agents...................

managers with middle-class consciousness believe their job is to maintain order and keep things on course. managers operating with world-class consciousness believe their job is to bring about change. the difference between the two philosophies is profound. one is a babysitting service; the other, a leadership role. managers who are emotional amateurs see themselves as gatekeepers and guardians to the people in the field. they are a buffer between the people on the front lines and the executive suite. managers who are emotional professionals see themselves as change agents in a quintessential transformation posiotion. one is a job; the other is a career. one brings out the best in people; the other maintains the status quo. the great ones are part motivator, coach, couselors, parents, planner, negotiators and psychologist. most of all, the best ones lead by example with their attitudes and actions. their actions are mirrored by their team, and they set the tone. when managers are world class, you can bet their people are not far behind.

" good managers consists of showing average people how to do the work of superior people." - john d. rockefeller, 1839-1937, founder, standard oil

[dan stell (bam)]

87. champions see mistakes as intellectual capital.................

mistakes are viewed as failures by amateur thinkers. the aggregate cost of workers hiding their mistakes out of fear of reprisal runs well into the billions of dollars each year. professional thinkers see mistakes in a totally different light. they see mistakes as a company asset, to be recovered and duly avoided in the future. the real cost is not the mistake itself, but in the lack of reporting and recording the mistake so it could be avoided in the future. the great ones know the only way to avoid making mistakes in business is to stop coming up with new ideas. the pros embrace mistakes; they are a sign the organization is pushing forward and forging into uncharted waters. champions know the secret to mistakes management is to drive the fear of reprisal completely out of the organization. they reward people for sharing their mistakes with the entire company, so the mistakes will not be repeated. the great leaders know the future belongs to the individuals and organizations which can bring about and adjust to rapid change in a permanent white water world, while simultaneously encouraging the team to open up and share both failure and successes.

" the trouble in america is not that we are making too many mistakes, but that we are making too few." - phil knight, founder and chairman, nike

[dan stell (bam)]

88. the great ones only negotiate win-win deals....................

when it comes to the art of negotiations, there are two basic approaches. the amateur thinker see negotiation as a competition between two parties to see who can get the better end of the deal. the mindset is rooted in ego, as oppossed to spirit, with little or no consideration for the other party. the professional thinker is different. she operates from spirit; her goal is to come to terms that benefit all parties. a champion doesn't see negotiations as a battle of wills, but as a method of reaching a mutually beneficial agreement where all parties walk away satisfied. a pro has a reputation for honesty, fairness and compassion, and typically refuses to enter into any kind of business deal or arraingement with people who don't also exhibit these qualities. a world-class performer rarely does business with people outside the world class; it's an unwritten law. champions prefer to do things in a straightforward manner. anyone who violates this trust himself ostracized. the unspoken rule of negotiation are simple: be fair, and make it a win-win deal. a champion knows every symbiotic negotiation opens the door to more business. more importantly, a champion lives and does business according to one major philosophy: do the right thing.

" my father said, 'you must never try to make all the money that's in a deal. let the other fellows make some money, too, because if you have a reputation for always making all of the money, you won't have many deals." - j. paul getty, 1892-1976, founder, getty oil

[dan stell (bam)]

89. the world class builds and nurtures an international network of contacts.........

the average person sees networking as attending business and social events, passing out and picking up business cards. while this is a legitimate form of networking, the world class operates on a higher level. champions know the most valuable assets they have are their personal and professional networks. in business, you can measure the power of a player by the size of his rolodex. politicians are the greatest networkers on the planet. every time they land in a different town, they call the most influential business leader in the area who are in their network, just to say hello. they are tirelessly developing, building and maintaining relationships with the most powerful people they can reach. professional performers are not only collecting business cards, but also handpicking exactly who they want to network with, based on who can help them the most. world-class performers know most of the people who attend networking events are people hunting for business. they want to invest time networking with other members of the world class, so they strategically place themselves in world-class settings such as fund raisers, benefits, political functions, and country club outings. while the middle class collect business cards at rubber chicken dinners, the great ones build relationships with the movers and shakers of society. the difference in strategy is profound, and requires something only the world class possesses: supreme self-confidence. the middle class sees this as a crass operational strategy of using people to climb to the ladder of success. the world class sees it as a symbiotic, synergistic relationship of give and take. friends do favors, grants privileges and create opportunities for friends. it's the emotional nature of man to want to help people who have helped him. the great ones are on a never-ending quest to develope opportunities to reach out and assist people in their network. then, when they need help, there's a psychological debt to which world-class performers respond. the power of contacts has put more than president in the white house and into other powerful positions. it is possible for the average person to literally propel herself into the world-class ranks by constructing a powerful network of contacts and friends. of course, the middle class is surrounded by the same opportunity every day, yet choose to let pass in lieu of some other activity where effort is minimal and pleasure is king.

"if i had to name the single characteristic shared by all truly successful people i've met over a lifetime, i'd say it is the abilty to create and nurture a network of contacts," - harvey mackay, founder, mackay envelope corporation

[dan stell (bam)]

90. the great ones never hesitate to seize opportunity....................

amateur performers are perpetually wating for their ships to come in. they're waiting for the man on the white horse, singing, "here i come to save the day!" the masses seem content to wait to inherit their fortune from some long-lost rich relative or by winning the lottery. the casinos are full of amateurs, looking for opportunities. the pros don't view opportunity as something to wait for, but as something they create for themselves. the more opportunities that the world class creates, the more that seem to come their way. the great ones know they are completely responsible for how their lives turn out. average people keep hoping luck and circumstance will favor them. meanwhile, the champions are out impacting the world. at the heart of this difference in philosophy is a lack of fear. the great ones are unafraid to fail at a new opportunity. they see opportunity as a game that must be played now, while there is still time left on the clock. if they fail at that game, they move on to a new game. they just keep playing until they win. amateurs are so paralyzed by the fear of losing that they never get in the game. as a result, they never develop the courage and confidence to play at the world-class level. security, to the middle class, is much more important than seizing opportunity. but like happiness, security cannot be sought directly. security is an illusion created by the masses to justify not taking risks and fulfilling their potential. the great ones play the game and capitalize on every opportunity until the end. meanwhile, the amateurs come to the end of their lives and arrive safely at death.

" the lack of opportunity is ever the excuse of the weak, vacillating mind. opportunities! every life is of full of them...every newspaper article is an opportunity. every client is an opportunity. every sermon is an oportunity. every business transaction is an opportunity - an opportunity to be polite, an opportunity to be manly, and opportunity to be honest - an opportunity to make friends." - orison swett ,arden, 1848-1924, founder, success magazine

[dan stell (bam)]

91. champions are master of mental organization.............................

a key of the world class is their ability to determine what they want, why they want it, and how to get it. they are mentally organized and this shows up in every aspect of their performance. average people wallow around, unclear about what they want and unsure if they are competent enough to get it. instead of disciplining themselves to organize their thought processes, it's easier to lose themselves in things like television, booze, drugs, and other destructive and pleasure-based activities. amateurs are smart enough to know they should create an organized plan for their life, but opt to be distracted by outside activities. thinking, real thinking, may be the hardest work of all. the world class invests a substantial amount of time planning, creating and revising their strategy to manifest their ultimate vision. while average people spend more time organizing and planning their yearly vacation, the great ones are structuring and restructuring their lives daily. professional performers know their mind is a moving river, making new inroads every day, and therefore requires never-ending revision of their ultimate goals and dreams. no matter what stage of the game they're in, the great ones are conscious of the value of ongoing mental organization and clarity of purpose.

" in organization there is always strenght. especially is this true in regard to a well-organized human being. he doesn't waste his substance, but is forever improving his mind and giving and radiating confidence." - george matthew adams, 1878-1962, author

[dan stell (bam)]

92. the world class captapults their consciousness by overcoming obstacles............

while the masses see obstacles as their primary adversary, champions view them as opportunities to expand their level of thinking and competence. professional performers know the only way they can truely become mentally tough enough to manifest their vision is to struggle and fight their through obstacles. there is no other way. the great ones are conscious of the fact that success is trial by fire. the middle-class consciousness avoids obstacles at all costs and looks for the easy way out. the world class builds their own roads and forges ahead, knowing the strength of character gained from overcoming obstacle after obstacle will be the measure of their true success, and with that rock-solid character, even greater things can be accomplished. if you remove the obstacles, you remove the opportunity to grow. the world class becomes great by overcoming more obstacles than the middle class. they get tough because they're in the game, getting hit and taking the shots. professional performers are good at overcoming obstacles because they are always engaged in this process. amateurs spend so little time staring down the dragon that they simply never get tough enough to become pros. the fear of failure looms deep in the pysche of the masses. the great ones are sometimes fearful, yet develop more courage with each new obstacle, until they stand up one day as true mental warriors.

"the block of granite which was an obstacle in the path of the weak, becomes a stepping-stone in the path of the strong." - thomas carlyle, 1795-1881, author

[dan stell (bam)]

93. the great ones are at peace with themselves...................

amateur performers tend to believe peace of mind can be sought and captured. professional performers know chasing after peace guarantees it will elude them. peace, much like happiness, is an elusive state of mind, reached only when performers have done everything within their power to achieve or accomplish a task or goal. the peace of mind experienced is an indirect result of knowing that all possible physical and mental resources have been exhaulted in the process. average performers are all too aware they are not giving it 100%, so people of mind continues to elude them. instead of increasing their efforts, they usually decide to employ a distraction of one form or another to avoide thinking about their half-hearted efforts. the great ones are like old war horses: they keep coming back for more. professional performers either win the game and experience the exhilaration of victory, or they suffer defeat with the peace of mind of knowing they did everything in their power to win. it's a winning proposition either way. the world class is at peace with themselves because they understand the laws of human nature.

" the foundation of mental toughness is to always be at peace with yourself." - jerry zimmerman, tennis coach

[dan stell (bam)]

94. champions know the power of persistence......................

average people never truly decide what they want, so they wander from job to job, chasing different things until time finally runs out. persistence, to amateurs, is never really a factor, because they haven't focused on any single goal long enough to be persistent. when pros determine what they want, they burn their vision into their minds on a daily basis. they become obsessed with attaining the goal at almost any cost. at this stage, persistence becomes the primary factor in their success. amateurs are often impresses by this, yet champions are simply following their passions and refusing to look back. they reach a mental state in which the failure to persist is no longer an option. the great ones know the longer they hang tough, the greater the odds of victory. what looks like herculean persistence to the outside world is really just the manifestation of world-class mental clarity in action. champions decide what they want, down to the last detail, and then wage war to get it. their sense of purpose and dogged persistence is a hard combination to beat. the great ones become unstoppable because they've convinced themselves there is no may to fail. this subjective perception is one of the most common thought processes of the world class. while the rest of the world watches with doubt and disbelief, champions talk themselves into believing that winning is their destiny and defeat is impossible. this winning expectation is the fuel that drives the champion to persist until they succeed, no matter how much pain they have to endure.

" if i had to select one quality, one personal characteristic that i regard as being most highly correlated with success, what ever the field, i would pick the trait of persistence. determination . the will to endure to the end, to get knocked down seventy times and get off the floor saying, "here goes number seventy-one!" - richard m. de vos, founder, amway corporation

[dan stell (bam)]

95. the world class pursues power to manifest their dreams................

average people have no idea how powerful they can be. the masses tend to believe only the rich and famous have power. professional performers have a clear understanding of their personal power, as well as their power to influnce, inspire motivate and persuade other people. the world class wants to become more powerful for the purpose of expanding their influence. amateurs who develop or acquire power can be lethal weapons. if you want to see the true character of a man, give him power. power tends to bring forth the innate nature of the person, much like alcohol does. feed some people a few drinks too many and they become belligerent and mean. power has the same effect. on the other hand, grant power to the pros, and they will use it for good. the response to the power stimulates stems from character. champions use power to help themselves and to help other people, without becoming attached or addicted. the great ones know all power is temporary; the only purpose it serves is to help and liberate people. only the great can possess power and not abuse it. while the masses tend to view powerful people as evil, arrogant and greedy, the world class know it's how power is used that makes it good or bad. the ego-driven upper class tends to use power as a tool of manipulation, the spirit-driven world class uses the same power to help set themselves and other people free. power in the hands of egocentric leaders is dangerous. power in the hands of the great ones is what's responsible for the growth and success of civilization.

" you all have power you've never dreamed of. you can do things you never thought you could do. there are no limitations in what you can do, except the limitations in your own mind as to what you cannot do. don't think you cannot. think you can." - darwin p. kingsley

[dan stell (bam)]

96. the great ones always push for progress............................

the masses tend to rebel change and progress. it makes them feel unconfortable because it's unfamiliar. they perpetually long for the good old days, although you sometimes get the feeling they were doing the same thing then! the pros know progress is the way of the world; it needs to be embraced and supported at every turn. in recent years, the gap between amateurs and pros has widened because of the rocket-like acceleration of progress in business and in life. the great ones think progressively and talk almost exclusively about the future. their philosophy seems to be, "onward and upward." while most people are complaining about how things are not to be the same, champions are applauding the same concept. they know things are not supposed to be the same; that progress is the natural order of a healthy, growing society. amateurs feel victimized by progress. it scares them. the fear and scarcity they carry inside themselves is saying, "what if i'm not good enough to survive in this new enviroment?" meanwhile, the world class is saying, "bring it on!"

" progress consists largely of learning to apply laws and truths that have always existed." _ john allan may, author

[dan stell (bam)]

97. champions praise people lavishly and often.....................

amateur performers tend to see praise as a luxury, to be passed on sparingly to others from time to time. champions use praise as an integral component in their everyday interactions with others. most people are literally starving for praise, due to the fact that 95% of the population are amateurs in the art of interpersonal communication. emotional creatures have a high need, and some even a mild addiction, to the sweet-sounding words of encouragement and recognition. professional performers are careful not to praise the same person too often for fear of diminishing the power of their words. at the same time, they actively search to catch people doing something that merits carefully thought-out and well-spoken worlds of kindness. champions know a little praise goes a long way in making people happy. an honest compliment might be remembered for years to come. kind worlds cost nothing, yet accomplish so much. world-class performers know all doors open to praise and courtesy, and more significantly, all hearts open, too. the great ones use praise to lighten the load, ease the burden, and warm the heart. they know most people are lonely, afraid or suffering through some kind of painful situation that's invisible to the rest of the world. champions are a beacon of light in a cloudy, stormy, unpredicatable world. armed with praise, they are the ultimate force for good.

" appreciative words are the most powerful force for good on earth." - george w. crane

[dan stell (bam)]

98. the world class is always willing to pay the price................................

the average person would be flabbergasted at the amount of time and effort that professional performers invest on their way to the top. amateurs use words like lucky and opportunistic to describe the world class, but they couldn't be farther from the truth. the great ones pay a tremendous price for their success. while the masses spend an inordinate amount of time planning and scheming ways to avoid doing the work necessary to win, champoions are out on the playing field paying the price. the middle-class consciusness is convinced there is a shortcut to success, and are bound and determined to find it. of course, there never has been a shortcut to success, nor is there a glamorous method of paying the price. there is only the blood, sweat and tears of delayed gratification. there is only the pain and suffing of practice. there is no escape from it, and the winners know it. you either pay the price for success or pay the price in regret. only champions know the price of success is a much lighter burden to bear than the ongoing torture of regret. as speaker jim rohn says, "paying the price weighs ounces ... but regret weighs tons." to think and contemplative people, the only intelligent choice is paying the price. the alternative is mental torture. success is a toll road ... pay now or pay later. you already know what the great ones do.

" i am wondering what would have happened to me if some fluent talker had converted me to the theory of the eight-hour day and convinced me that it was not fair to my fellow workers to put forth my best effort in my work. i am glad that the eight-hour day had not been invented when i was a young man. if my life had been made up of eight-hour days, i don't believe i could have accomplished a great deal. this country would not amount to as much as it has if the young man of fifty years ago had been afraid that they might earn more than they were payed for." - thomas edison, 1847-1931, inventor

[fighterzack]

Another good one Bam.

Stevie D's dad always says, and Stevie repeats it, "those guys that are always in the gym, damned if they aren't the luckiest fighters!"

My statement has always been- Everybody wants to be a Champion, but only a few WANT to do what it takes to BE a Champion.

[dan stell (bam)]

i agree zack, everyone "wants to be" but they don't know how much work some put in the gym. they find out and they then want no part of it. but then again we still need the role models and fan support. keep up the great work brother!!!!!!

[dan stell (bam)]

99. the great ones are aware of their limitless potential........................

people operating at the poverty-, working- and middle-class levels of conscious awareness seem to be governed by beliefs which keep them bound to a life of quite desperation. because most of us inherited and learned our beliefs from well-intentions amateurs, it makes sense that the majority of us are convinced we can only go so far in life. champions know this to be colossal myth that has held millions of people in a mental prison. by the time most people figure out they've been sold a bill of goods, their lives are nearly over. the most common regret mentioned by residents in nursing homes is, "i should have tried more things and taken more risks." the world class either receives professional-level programming as children or is lucky enough to be exposed, mentored or influenced by one of the great ones along the way. the latter is far more common. champions wake up one day and realize their possibilities and potentials are almost limitless. they realize if they are willing to pay the price, they can build a mentor and support team that can help them accomplish nearly any goal or dream they can envision. after this realization, only a small percentage of people actually take the next step - deciding on the single thing they want more than anything else. this will be the primary focus and driving force of their lives. most people fall by the wayside because they simply want too many things half-heartedly. the great ones make a decision, build a team and shake the world.

"compared to what we ought to be, we are only half awake. we are making use of only a small part of our physical and mental resources. stating the thing broadly, the human individual thus lives far within his limits. he possesses power of various sorts which he habitually fails to use." - william james, 1842-1910, author

[dan stell (bam)]

100. champions prepare to win.....................

average people seem to have a strategy of "ready, fire, aim!" in other words people fail to do the necessary preparation and planning it takes to succeed. middle-class performers have a fondness for winging it. some actually brag about their lack of planning, like a kid in school who boast about not studying for an exam. amateur performers are always looking for the easy road, yet appear to be confounded by their lack of success. champions are perennial planners. they are always charting and changing their course to be certain everything is on track. skating the details of preparation never occurs to the world class, because they are surrounded by a society full of amateurs who prove the theory doesn't work. the great ones don't limit their plans to their own scope of knowledge and experience. they know someone, somewhere, knows how to do it better and is willing to help. planning isn't popular with amateurs because it's not always fun and it rarely produces instant pleasure. the masses are professional pleasure seekers and planning doesn't fall into this category. champions have learned to delay their gratification as long as necessary in order to breathe life into their goals and dreams.

" the flinch factor...when not prepared to win we will flinch when the customer poses a question we cannot handle." - low wood, region business director, johnson & johnson/omp

[dan stell (bam)]

can i hear some feed back on the first 100 secrets of the world class? we have 77 to go.........

[fighterzack]

Well Bam,
I love the stuff, and I bought the book the first week you started posting them. There is a ring of truth to them that is obvious to any of us that have acheived this level, and it applies to every part of life, any field or job. I also love seeing these week to week from you, because even though I have read the book, it is nice to see them again regularly and be reminded.

Keep up the inspiration!

[dan stell (bam)]

thanks zack, it's funny i'm the same way. reading it over and over seems to help. but now that i'm posting it and have to type it all out, it seems to stick with me.

by the way, i'm glad your the only one that enjoys these post at least i'm touching you brother!!!!

[dan stell (bam)]

101. the world class is committed to personal developement.................

average performers wouldn't read a personal development book or listen to a personal development recording if you paid them. only about 5% of the population study personal development - our exact estimate of the percentage of professional performers in this country. interesting isn't it? the masses seem to view personal development as motivational nonsense. of course, most of these people are struggling to make ends meet. in contrast, many world-class people, and those who inspire to world-class levels, are believers in the personal development movement. you don't have to convince a champion to want to win. personal development, by definition, is about discovering the unique talents, abilities and potentials that lie dormant within us. the great ones are always looking for that one little adjustment, strategy, distinction or technique that will give them an edge over the competition, and that's exactly what personal development offers. as bill gove was famous for saying, "all of us already have everything we need inside of us to make our lives work. personal development is not about self-improvement ... it's abput self-discovery. it's about rediscovering what we already know."

"i've spent the last forty years trying to convince corporate america that the fastest way to improve the bottom line was in the personal development of their employees." - larry wilson, founder, wilson learning corporation

[dan stell (bam)]

102. the dreat ones are problem solvers....................

the goal of the world-class performers is to solve problems fast and move on to solving bigger, more complex problems. after all, the great ones know business and enterprise are based on problem solving. it's the cornerstone of commerce. amateurs tend to spend more time jockeying for position to gain favor from their superiors than they do solving problems. amateurs are looking for instant ego gratification and need to be proper credit and recognition for their problem-solving prowess. champions are more team-oriented. they know they are simply a cog in the wheel of a mistermind machine, where the sum of the group intelligence and experience dwarfs individual ability. the great ones are not interested in management kudos; they are interested in results. professional performers' teams solve the problem and plead with management for more responsibility, then solve the next set of problems and beg management for even greater responsibility. champions repeat this cycle over and over until they land the position they envision. this is one of the reasons the great ones write their own ticket in corporate america. while average people are complaining about being overworked and underpaid, pros know their ticket to the executive suite is paved with problem solving. when champions want a raise, they don't have to ask for one. all they have to do is help the organization solve larger, more complex problems, and increased compensation will follow. the world class understands increase compensation is the effect; problem solving and adding value is the cause, and the effect eventually takes care of itself.

" we teach collaborative problem-solving. in school, it's called cheating. - edward bales, director of education, motorola

[dan stell (bam)]

103. champions are obsessed with productivity and results..................

average performers think of work in terms of time invested on the job. world-class performers think of work in terms of overall productivity, output and results. middle-class performers are far more concerned with what's for lunch than with the productivity of the business day. their bodies are at work, but their minds are elsewhere. professional performers tend to work in jobs and businesses they love. as a result, thoughts of how to be more successful and productive rarely leaves their mind. the great ones have to force themselves into nonwork activities just to give their mind a chance to rest and recover. is it any wonder why the world class controls over 90% of the wealth in america? the only people pros are competing against are other pros - about 5% of the workforce. the amateurs are not matched for pros. how could they be? how can a person who is half engaged honestly expect to go head to head with the great ones? they can't, and they don't, which is why middle-class performers will always live middle-class existence. don't misunderstand: they have the intelligence, talent, and ability to go pro, but they usually lack the will. meanwhile, the great ones are the most sought-after group of business leaders in the world. they are welcomed in any organization during good times and bad. the world class has an open ticket anywhere they want to go because they are obsessed with increasing productivity and achieving results.

"we know where most of the creativity, the innovation, the stuff that drives productivity lies - in the minds of those closest to the work. it's been there, in the front of our noses, all along while we've been running around chasing robots and reading books on how to become japanese - or at least manage like them." - jack welch, chairman and ceo general electric

[dan stell (bam)]

104. the world class is profit driven........................

the masses seem to have a collective belief that profit equates to greed. professional performers understand that profit is what keeps the doors open, and what supports the ongoing innovation a company needs to compete. while the world class knows profit is the lifeblood od buisness, they are also aware of the power and responsibility that goes with it. give amateur performers a profit surplus, and greed kicks in. do the same with a pros, and watch as they turn their sights to a higher level of consciousness. they consider how they can reinvest and disperse extra money beyond the normal profit margin into their community and the world at large. the great ones tend to view the world as one big community that's increasingly interdependent. they seem to follow the "to whom is given, much is expected" philosophy. pros are aware that profit may not be the purpose of a business, but without it, there is no business. on a larger scale, without profit there is no financial contribution to send back to a world in need. the world class operates on a global level of awareness, and the amateurs should be glad they do. while middle-class thinkers are worrying about who's going to win the super bowl or the world series, the great ones are working to do their part as leaders to ensure the world is better off tomarrow than it is today.


" profitability is a necassary condition for existence and a means to more important ends, but it is not the end in itself for many of the visionary companies. profit is like oxygen, food, water, and blood for the body; they are not the point of life, but without them, there is no life." - james collins and jerry porras, authors of built to last

[dan stell (bam)]

105. the great ones take responsibility..........................

one of the critical factors separating amateurs from pros is responsibility. people operating at the poverty- and working-class levels of awareness often see themselves as victims of the powerful. they create invisible mental barriers that, in their minds, hold them back from moving up. they blame other people for keeping them down, such as their parents, friends and others of influence during their childhood. people at the middle-class level of awareness are a little more evolved, but tend to make safety and security their number one priorities. they hold on so tightly to what they have that they fail to see the real abundance staring them straight in the face. average people in this category are terrified of losing what they have, because their mind is submerged in the cesspool of scarcity. people at this level truely believe their supply of money is limited, and if they lose what they have, they will never get it back. the majority of the population has this belief. people operating at the upper-class level of awareness tend to be unafraid, aggressive, ultra-competitive warriors who approach life like a battle. they know there is abundance and they are out to get it. the upper class tends to operate primarily from their ego. people at world-class level are a step ahead of the upper class, simply because they operate from their spirit-self rather than their ego-self. the great ones have a thought process, philosophy and habit all rolled into one that overshadows the rest: i am responsible. the world class realizes they are completely responsible for their success or failure, as well as responsible for giving back some of the blessings bestowed upon them as a result their tremendous success. operating from a world-class level of awareness almost always precedes their success. the great ones keep marching forward, making a difference in themselves and the world.

" success on any major scale requires you to accept responsibility ... in the final analysis, the one quality that all successful people have ... is the ability to take on responsibility." - michael korda, author

[dan stell (bam)]

106. champions take risk.................

average performers are risk averse. they've been taught that to make it through life in one piece, play it safe and be thankful they have a roof over their head. "stay below the radar and you won't get hurt," seems to be their world view. with a mindset rooted in fear and scarcity, they unconsciously set a goal of arriving safely at death. world-class performers work from an abundance-based consciousness rooted in love, which knows no limits and bounds. the pros take risk - but because they are necassarily more courageous - but because they believe they can get back anything they lose. in the minds of champions. resourses and money are abundant. as a result, they fear of loss has very little influence with this group. champions have always been risk takers, because they have come to understand that business and life are about learning and growing. how can you learn and grow when you never step out and try something new and exciting? there is never a lack of resources, only a lack of ideas. without risk, there can be no progress. all of us only have so much sand left in the hourglass, and one day our sand will run out. the time to risk is now and the great ones know it.

" i don't want to find myself in a nursing home someday, thinking that all i did was play it safe." - charlie eitel, chairman/ceo, the simmons company

[dan stell (bam)]

107. the world class has tremendous self-respect....................

the proverty-, working- and middle class levels of consciousness tend to struggle with respect. respecting others is directly lelated to respecting yourself. it's be said "you cannot give what you do not have," and respect fall directly into this category. respecting other people is easier for a pro because he has great respect for himself. the struggles and battles he has waged forged his confidence and character far beyond that of the average person. it's difficult for an intelligent person to play it safe every day and walk away with solid self-respect. it might be easier for the amateur if he was less talented or less intelligent than the pro. yet they are not. in some cases, an amateur can be even more gifted than the pro. but the amateur has settled for a life of mediocrity, and deep down, they know it. they are dying with their music still inside. this often causes great sadness and even depression. to know you are capable of a world-class performance and decide to play it safe is a hard concept to stomach for an able-minded individual. sometimes the television, the ball game, the movies, or the alcohol are to drown out that little voice whispering that life is passing them by, and sometimes it is not. as a result, low self-esteem and self-respect tend to breed low respect for others. this thought process has done a lot of harm throughtout the world. human beings cause trouble. the world-class performers, on the other hand, is fully engaged in life and living. his self-resect lends itself to respect others. when he is not respected by others, he chalks it up to middle-class mentality. after all, he thinks to himself, aren't amateurs supposed to act like amateurs?

"a flippant, frivolous man may ridicule others, may controvert them, scorn them; but he who has any respect for himdself seems to have renounced the right of thinking meanly of others." - johann wolfgang von goethe, 0746-1832, german dramatist

[dan stell (bam)]

108. champions know revenge is for amateurs.................

depending on whether they are operating primarily from spirit or ego, amateurs tend to be interested in the idea of revenge. many amateurs believe their lack of success and fulfillment is someone else's fault, which leads to thoughts of getting even. revenge as a strategy is not limited to the middle class. many very successful upperclass performers still believe in striking back at their competitors. the upper class often owes their trememdous financial success to the drive that is stimulated by their large egos. unfortunately, this ego-driven consciousness is often also responsible for their lack of personal fulfillment. the upper class tends to believe the key to fulfillment is to gain greater success, and they are baffled when this formula doesn't work. the upper class is operating out of fear, and this mind says revenge on the so-call guilty party will give them satisfaction. of corse, it doesn't. amateurs also look for ego gratification in revenge. their ego has been hurt, and they believe hitting back will repair the damage and allows them to save face. the cycle keeps repeating itself and delivers nothing but misery. the world class, operates out of love and abundance, dismisses revenge as a strategy for people operating at lower-level awareness. the great ones know you can can't fight hate with hate. the only power in the universe worth projecting is the power of love. the pros know if they are cheated by an amateur, it's to be expected, because amateurs act out of fear. their fear-bass consciousness thinks irrationally, so their improper or unethical acts are to be expected. champions feel for amateurs, because all of the great ones are former amateurs themselves.

"the middle class broods and vows revenge when they feel cheated. the upper class attacks their abuser, intent on inflicting pain. the world class forgives their enemies and sends them love, because the emotional pro knows that the emotional amateur knows not." - steve siebold

[dan stell (bam)]

109. champions keep things in perspective................................

amateur performers often crack under pressure because they lose their perspective. their fear of losing overwhelms them to the point of physical, emotional and spiritual breakdown. the champion knows that the secret to performing well under pressure has more to do with their perception of the event than the event itself. while the amateur is telling himself that he must win, the pro is reminding herself that it's only a game. both performers want to win, but the pro always outperforms the amateur under pressure because she has learned how to calm her nerves by putting things in perspective. some people claim that champions perform better than any other group under pressure. this is not true. there is an inverse relationship between pressure and performance, no matter who you are or what you do. as pressure increases, performance decreases. this occurs whether you're donald trump or donald duck. the reason champions get better results is because they have trained themselves how to perceive the so-call pressure situation. the amateur perceives it as a threat, which triggers a fight or flight response from the mind and body. physiologically speaking, the performer believes he is literally fighting for his life. meanwhile, the pros has convinced herself that this situation is just a game, and that nobody dies from losing a game. this champion self-talk can be learned and implemented by anyone, but is rarely picked up on by amateurs. the world class has learned that developing and maintaining a crystal-clear perspective on the relative significance of their performance lives is critical to their success.

"in most situations, we don't need to slow down, we need to calm down." - bob proctor, author, speaker

[dan stell (bam)]

110. the world class raises their rate of vibration at will....................

the average performer spends little time analyzing her own performance. once she reaches a level of competence that satisfies her job requirements, ongoing analysis and improvement are no longer priority. the world class is constantly analyzing, critiquing, and giving themselves feedback. one of the things a professional performers pays close attention to is her level of attraction to other people, especially prospects and customers. at mental toughness university, we call it rate of vibration, or rov. the concept of rov is simple: it's a combination of the mental and physical energy being projected from one person to another. you might call it charisma in action. the five components of rov are energy, enthusiasm, confidence, belief and clarity. the sum total of these components is your rov. at mental toughness university, we ask our sales and management cliens to track their rov on a scale of one to one thousand before and after every sales call or coaching session. the purpose is to convince the performer a high rov creates greater attraction and responce from the prospect or customer. then, we show them how to raise their rov in seconds. professional performers have been using this concept for years. (it falls under various names.) the bottom line: the pro always contemplates what she thinks about in performance situations, and implementing strategies and techniques such as rov creates better results. no matter where she is in her career, a champion is borderline obsessed with improving. she continues to learn new ideas and ways of improving her performance. meanwhile, the middle-class performer is still doing things the way she was twenty years ago. the difference is more about consciousness than anything else.


" ladies, do you want to know how to take a one-carat diamond and turn it into a two-and-a-half carat diamond? learn how to raise your rov." - polly bauer, former president /ceo of home spopping network credit corporation

[dan stell (bam)]

111. the pros reward themselves for execution.........................

the masses tend to ignore the concept of creating a reward system to compliment their goal setting - those who actually set goals, that is. professional performers use rewards to create ongoing motivation for themselves and their subordinates for achieving results. sounds like a good concept, doesn't it? while it's not a bad idea, champions have a much better system. champions set execution-based goals over which they have complete control over, are known as targets. the great ones aim for their targets but focus on their goals. for example, salespeople set a goal to make a certain number of calls. if they fail to make that number of calls, they fail to reach the goal. they are reprimanded and possibly penalized. if they accomplish the number of calls, they automatically earn the rewards, no matter the outcome of those calls. that's execution-based goal setting. the philosophy is simple: reward people for doing what they say they are going to do, based on activities they can control. to reward someone for increasing sales, market share, or any outcome-based goal is a reward for something they only played a part in achieving, and they are being penalized under the same criteria. it only makes partial sense, and it can destroy the motivation of the performer. rewarding execution-based performances is the wave of the future, because it's a much more accurate award, actually deserved. the priority is still set on bottom-line results, but the focus is towards high-quality, consistent exectution. reward performers for keeping their word and you build a success cycle of confidence and enthusiam.

"the goals, targets and rewards system is the wave of the future. goals are execution-based; targets are results-based; and rewards are based on successful completion of the goals, not the targets. this subtle shift in performance philosophy has power to launch a performer from middle-class to world-class results." - steve siebold

[dan stell (bam)]

112. great leaders understand recognition...............

average performers tend to believe money and material possessions are their greatest motivators, yet i haven't seen a single study that backs this up. amateurs don't know themselves as well as they might think. the human mind is a complex computer with deep recesses that must be fully explored if we are to truely know ourselves and what drives us. the only way this can be achieved is through extensive introspection. this is one of the reasons some performers visit therapists and counselors when they are not really in need of serious attention. it gives them a sounding board, an opportunity to have someone listen and ask intelligent, probing, introspective questions no one has ever asked them before. ask a counselor how many people visit each week for this reason - you may be surprised. world-class performers know themselves, and they know what drives them. the single most popular motivator for performers of all classes is recognition, even though many people won't admit it. human being are emotional creatures who may be embrassed by the fact that they are not entirely logical. it's almost as though logic has more credibility . . . except with the world class. they will tell you they are highly motivated by recognition. recognition is the master motivator because it validates us to ourselves, and reminds us that we really are good enough, smart enough and competent enough. most people are walking around with an inferiority complex of one kind or another from years of negitive programming from parents , teachers, coaches and other amateurs of great influence. this programming can be overcome, but recognition will always be a mental massage for a bruised psyche. champions know and embrace this with themselves and their charges, while the amateurs struggle to become more logical.

"i have discovered a fascinating thing: men will die for ribbons." - napoleon, 1769-1821, emperor of france

[dan stell (bam)]

113. champions know the power of programming.................

the majority of champions I've worked with and coached during the years confess the bulk of the mental programming they received during their childhoods was substandard. many are quick to add that the people who programmed them - parents, teachers, coaches, ministers and adults of influence - were doing the best they could, based on their level of awareness at the time. it' easy to criticize in hindsight, yet champions don't feel the need to do this. they want to take control of their own programming process and install the habits, philosophies process and install the habits, philosophies, traits and beliefs that empower, rather than limit them. middle-class performers scoff at things like reprogramming and tend to hold on the
what they were taught, no matter how poor their teachers' thinking. the pros use two primary methods of reprogramming. first and foremost, they alter the language they use when they talk to themselves and others. they adjust their language from middle-class to world-class level. they create self-talk scripts and repeat them daily until the change takes place. the second thing they do is use the power of mental pictures, or visualization training, to adjust how they experience events. the combination if these two change processes has the powerful effect on the mindset of the performers. sadly, the concepts are so simple that most people miss them. meanwhile, the great ones keep getting stronger and stronger by developing world-class thoughts, feelings and attitudes through the reprogramming process.

"the programming that you accept from others, and the conscious and unconscious directives, pictures, feelings and thoughts that you transmit to yourself, will find a place in your own internal control center. together, those thoughts and images will continue to create in advance, or influence on the spot, every response, attitude, and action that will be a part of you and your future." - dr. shad helmstetter, author

[fighterzack]

This is a great one, Bam, and probably the one that has helped me change the most. It is a simple, but not easy, principle.
Good luck with it everyone.

[dan stell (bam)]

yes zack, i agree with you. it's an eye opener...

[dan stell (bam)]

114. champions are of good cheer.......................

amateurs inadvertently create their own mediocrity by thoughts they entertain. professional performers consciously create world-class results by carefully constructing every thought. the foundation of this philosophy seems to begin with a sunny disposition. in other words, the world class is of good cheer by conscious choice. the great ones are acutely aware their thoughts create their circumstances, while the masses continue to reverse the equation. is the world class so happy because their lives are so fulfilling; or are their lives so fulfilling because they are happy? champions know that their inner world determines their outer world. knowing this, they act the part of the successful, fulfilled and happy person until the part becomes them. they have learned that, in order to attract extraodinary success, fulfillment and happiness, they must first become these things. the great ones have a saying about this; "whatever you are looking for is looking for you." it's a well-known law of the universe that like attracts like, success breeds success, and happiness manifests happiness. while the middle class waits to win the loterry, graduate from school, get a job, or any number of things before they decide to be happy, they attract feelings of longing and lack. this doesn't occur by accident. we don't attract what we want; we attract what we are. this is why the world class chooses to be of good cheer.

"if you want to live a long, healthy, and prosperous life, make a commitment to yourself to always be of good cheer. it will affect everthing and everyone around you." - bill grove, 1912-2001, the father of professional spaeaking

[dan stell (bam)]

115. the great ones are learning machines.....................

for the most people in modern western culture, learning means memorizing facts, theories, theorems and dates. that's what most of us were taught to do in school. to average people, learning is a late-night cram session and a pot of coffee to stay awake. professional performers have overcome this outdated, industial-age system and created a formula for learning and developing their minds. as speaker jim rohn says, "formal education will make you a living; self-education will make you a fortune." the pros know this to be accurate, and invest heavily in books, tapes, and cd programs on everthing from personal development to business sales, marketing and management. they read and study trade journals and become world-renowned experts. average people spend less than ten dollars annually on books. the top 1% of income earners in america invest nearly $10,000 annually on books and other learning resources. they attend seminars, workshops and retreats. amateur performers look at these investments as a waste of time and money. they are more likely to invest their money in lottery tickets, satellite television, cigarettes, alcohol, and other forms of entertainment. the great ones, in the words of scientific genius buckminister fuller, "dare to be naive." the middle class thinks they have little left to learn. world-class performers know the more they learn, the greater the level of awareness they reach; and the greater the level of awareness, the more they realize how much more there is left to learn. the great ones know learning, like love, is infinite. there is no end until their hearts stop beating.

"an organization's ability to learn, and translate that learning into action rapidly, is the ultimate competive business advantage." - jack welch, former chairman and ceo, general electric

[dan stell (bam)]

116. champions change their emotional responses...............


one of the most powerful tools used by the world-class performers is called the ten step change process. it helps alter the way they respond to events outside their control. for example, a salesperson makes a presentation to a customer who treats the salesperson poorly and disrespectfully. the emotional response of amateurs would be anger. the pro realizes treating people disrespectfully is classic amateur behavior. through the ten-step change process, the performer writes down the activating event (the disrespectful customer). next, he writes down his response. then he decides if that response is helping or hurting. the next step is to decide whether his responce was rational or irrational. next, he examines his thought process thoroughly, and identifies his ultimate response if this were to happen again. he then mentally rehearses implementing the new response. next, he creates a written script of the new response, and rehearses the new response twice a day, visually, and verbally. he examines his response the next time the event occurs. if he is satisfied with the result, he has successfully transformed his response to this event. if he's not yet satisfied, he continues the process until the desired behavior change takes place. this is one of the most effective change processes of the world class. knowing it is worthless unless you use it. are you ready to go pro yet? imagine the potential if you could alter every major response that you encountered on a daily basis. would that elevate you to the next level?

"it's not the event itself that does us in, it's how we perceive it." - dr. karl menninger, psychiatrist, author

[dan stell (bam)]

117. the great ones have a sense of urgency......................

middle-class performers operate like there is an endless amount of time in a day, week, month, year and life. the world class is extremely sensitive to time. the great ones have a sense of urgency because they are operating at a level of awareness that constantly reminds them the present moment is all any of us really have. the world class is on a mission to fulfill a dream, and they the clock is ticking. the only time amateurs performers develop a sense of urgency is toward the end of the day, week, or before they go on vacation. imagine if they channeled that same energy, enthusiasm and focus into their everyday performance. worldwide productivity would probably triple in one day. professional performers constantly remind themselves that life is short and they are going to make something happen, now is the time. this thought process makes the middle class uncomfortable. remember, they prefer to operate in a state of mind delusion. knowing the clock is ticking and none of us know how much time we have left is too uncomfortable for emotional amateurs. for pros, who operate from objectives reality, it's a primary motivating force. it's one of the reasons the great ones tend to pursue large, magnificent visions. they know their time on earth is limited and they want to leave a legacy. their sense of urgency goes back to the beginning of the mental toughness process - clearly defining what you want. what do you have a sense of urgency to do? if you know the answer, you can implement this world-class philosophy immediatly. if not, make it your mission to discover the embers that burn within your soul and focus that passion on what you really want. don't stop until you find it. when you do, create a sense of urgency to act on it now. don't hesitate. pursue your dreams bodly and fearlessly. it may be later than you think.

"one realizes the full importance of time only when there is little of it left. every man's greatest capital asset is his unexpired years of productive life." - p.w. litchfield

[dan stell (bam)]

118. the world class bekievers in servant leadership................

the world class sees themselves as servants in their personal and professional lives. whatever their chosen field, the great ones know the essence of success and fulfillment can be found in the service of others. professional performers understand that amateurs suffer the consequences of living out of a fear-based consciousness. most pros are recovering amateurs who woke up one day and made a decision to change. they empathize with the amateur mindset and do everything they can to lead them to the next level of consciousness. champions believe the greatest leaders are the geatest servants, and that all of us are here to lend a hand to one another. in order to embrace this mindset and become a conduit for positive change, a person must be operating from spirit, as opposed to ego. champions serve without asking or expecting anything in return. of course, in accordance with the law of cause and effect, they are richly rewarded for their efforts. the middle-class consciousness is not operating at a level high enough to see this law in action. when we were kids, most of us learn the saying, "the more you give, the more you get." somewhere along the way, many of us have forgotten this piece of ancient wisdom. as a result, amateurs are always seeing how much they can get without having to give. on the other hand, the world class continues to give out of love and activate this law. the law is the same for everyone, yet amateurs don't believe in it. they are afraid they will serve someone without getting anything in return, and they are afraid they'll get hurt again. fear draws them inside themselves and reinforces their amateur behavior. meanwhile, the world class is humbly serving society and being handsomely rewarded.

"the mearsure of a man is . . . in the number of people who he serves." - paul d. moody

[dan stell (bam)]

119. the great ones make the complicated simple...............

the middle-class consciousness seems to have a belief that the more complicated somethimes sounds, the impressive it is. the world class tends to have the opposite belief. they know even the most complex idea, philosophies, or systems can be broken down into simple concepts. albert einstien's theory of relativity is one of the greatest discoveries of the 20th centry, and even scientists agree the formula is complex. einstein disagreed. explaining the basic theory to a non-scientist one day, he said; "have you ever spent time with a pretty girl and the time just flew by? have you even spent time with someone you didn't like and the time seemed to drag? that's relativity." the great ones know true genius rests in the simplification of what appears to be complex processes. amateurs are convinced success has to be more that the simple implementation of a few dozen key ideas, habits, thought processes and philosophies. amateurs make the success process more complex than it is. large corporations are made up of complex systems, but every great business keader will tell you 90% of all business problems can be solved by increased sales. champions constantly try to simplify their thoughts and ideas. mental clarity is the cornerstone of everything they do, and simplifying things oromotes greater ckarity.

"genius is the ability to resuce the complicatied to the simple." - c.w. ceram, roman archeologist, author.

[dan stell (bam)]

120. champions understand success........................

success, to average performers, means money and material possessions. to champions, these are outward manifestations of success, but not success itself. the pros know success is a simple concept. champions tend to believe success is giving your family, work and life your very best effort, and that's it. end of definition. after all, the champions say, what else is there? no idea has been so maligned and manipulated as success. amateurs will have you believe success is what madison avenue tells us it is through slick advertising campaigns. the great advertisers know people hunger for success, and they represent it as owning the right home, car, clothes, etc. they have obviously studies their customer, and are being richly rewarded for their services. the world class doesn't buy into psychographic advertising or anything else the profiteers say represents success. the great ones simply select their chosen field, write out their plan, create their vision, and go to work making it a reality. the simple day-to-day progression toward their vision spells success. when their outcoming is achieved, they celebrate, all the while knowing their real measures of success was in doing, not having. the world class understands that to have, you must do, and to do, you must be. they focus on becoming the person they wish to become, and everything else falls into place.

"if a man has done his best, what else is there?" - gen. george s. patton, 1885-1945, u.s. army

[dan stell (bam)]

121. champions thrive on world class self-talk.................

self-talk is what we say to ourselves all day long, yet it's also how we say it. for years, philosophers, psychologists and performance experts worldwide have known about the impact self-talk has on us. that being said, average performers are oblivious to what they are saying to themselves and how it's affecting the quality of their lives. the pros have always been aware of the power of language in programming and reprogramming the human computer. dr. shad helmstetter, in his magnificent book, what to say when you talk to yourself, writes that up to 77% of the average person's self-talk is negative. according to dr. helmstetter, we spend our lives talking ourselves into and out of things. champions believe and embrace this idea. as a matter of fact, the eastiest way to know you're in the presence of champions is to listen to them. the world class has spent years overcoming poor programming, and this process usually begins with the use of language, both with themselves and others. the great one believe almost anything is possible, simply because they have repeated that idea - and others like it - to themselves for years. to quote dr. helmstetter, "repetition is a convincing argument." developing world-class self-talk may be the most powerful of all of the mental toughness secrets of the great ones. like most of the habits, traits and philosophies in this book, it's so simple that it's often overlooked. as a result, amateur performers continue to perpetuate amateur language with themselves and others. meanwhile, the great ones create idea out of thin air, convince themselves achievement is possible, and then go out and make it happen.

"repeat anything long enough and it will start to become you." - tom hopkins, author, speaker

[dan stell (bam)]

122. the great ones know salespeople drive all business..................

americans boast more than fifteen million salespeople, yet the image of salespeople among the amateur community is weak. the masses tend to look down at salespeople as hucksters and smooth talkers. the championship community, on the other hand, embraces and admires salespeople. they see them as the driving force of the global economy. salespeople are the athletes of the business world. they drive production, manufacturing, research and development, management and just about every other sector of our society. in reality, there are only two kinds of jobs: sales and sales support. the average salesperson is keeping thirty-three people employed, in some form or another, based on his production. what other profession even comes close? the world class knows we are all salespeople. all of us are trying to sell our ideas, ourselves and our passions to other people. selling is the natural order of human existence, and mentally tough performers hold the highest respect for professional salespeople. salespeople are in the line of fire daily, making things happen and keeping the economy rolling along. they don't get the public accolades of the doctor, accountant, lawyer or banker, except from the champions. there's a kinship between them that can be explained by one word: respect.

"we are all salespeople, every day of our lives. we are selling our ideas, our plans, our enthusiasms to those with whom we come in contact." - charles schwab, former, ceo bethleham steel

[dan stell (bam)]

123. champions know security is a perception....................

the endless quest for security is the plague of the middle-class level of consciousness. security is an illusion used to ease the late nights of worry and concern about the future. the world class knows there are only two facts in which you can be secure: all of us were born, and all of us will die. everything that happens in between these two dates is up for grabs. these realities invoke terror in the hearts of amateurs, but are liberating to champions, because they are indisputable. it may be comforting, but it's reality. one of the hallmarks of the great ones is their ability to deal in straightforward and simple truths. gives it to them just as it is, without any spin. this fulfills their need to work from the point of objective reality, so they can devise a solid plan of action based on fact. average performers cringe at the thought of not having security, but instead of evoling to a higher level of conscious awareness, most choose to delude themselves into a false sense of security. it's no wonder amateurs are no match for pros - it's not even a level playing field. champions are motivated by the idea that their security is in ability to perform. the great ones live for challege, and often they love the battle for the prize more than the prize itself. they love the battle because they expect to win, and their positive expectation continues to grow with each subsequent victory. the world class knows that, if any security exists in the universe, it is within their thoughts, they are willing to court doubt and darkness along the road to enlightenment. extrinsic things like money will never make you feel secure unless you are secure on the inside; unless you believe you have the ability to deal with whatever happens between your birthday and your death day. if this world-class thought process exist, almost anything, from a teddy bear to a million dollars, will enhance your feelings of security. if you don't have it, a billions dollars won't make you feel secure. security is simple a perception, and the great ones have always known it.

"when you know you're capable of dealing with whatever comes, you have the only security that the world has to offer. _ harry brown, investment advisor, author

[dan stell (bam)]

124. the world class believes in self-reliance.................

the middle-class consciousness tends to rely on other people's actions, opinions and behaviors. the world class learns to rely on themselves. they develop supreme self-confidence and a penchant for action. the philosophy of the world class is to take full responsibility for their successes and failures. average performers want to blame everyone for everything. the smoker who gets sick from smoking wants to sue the tobacco company for his illness. the fast-food junkie become obese from ingesting hundreds of cheeseburgers and pizzas and blames the restaurants that served her. the poverty-, working- and middle-class levels of consciousness often have a victim mentality. professional performers take responsibility for their decisions and exercise self-reliance. maybe most importantly, champions don't look to other people to make them happy. the great ones know happiness is not something you get, it's something you are. while champions enjoy the company of others, they are just as happy to be alone. their core level of contentment begins with them.

"follow your own path, no matter what people say." - karl marx, 1818-1883, founder of modern communism

[dan stell (bam)]

125. the great ones manufacture their own self-image......................

it's been said that self-image is the reputation we have with ourselves. it's also been said that most of us suffer from some type of inferiority complex. the world class has overcome this problem by realizing everyone on the planet is inferior and superior to everyone in some way. they believe people have multiple intelligences, depending on their personality styles and experiences. the artist might not be the best mechanic. the mathematician might not possess highly evolved creative faculties. champions believe the question is not "are you smart?" but "how are you smart?" the difference in this interpretation of intelligence is monumental. the self-image of the great ones is the foundation of their success. champions have major-league credibility with themselves. this self-confidence manifest itself in various forms critical in their ascension to the world-class level. it affects the way they approach business, life and other people. it determines the size and scope of the vision they create for their lives. champions believe almost anything is within their reach, based on the power of their own self-image. the primary strategies the great ones use to develop a powerful self-image are self-talk and mental imagery. while amateurs are talking themselves out of attempting large goals and expansive visions, the pros are talking themselves into it. the difference doesn't have anything to do with intelligence; it is programming the champions create for themselves. the great ones manufacture their own self-image from scratch - and so do the the middle class.

"self-esteem - high or low - tends to be a generator of self-fulfilling prophecies." - dr, nathaniel branden, phychologist, author

[dan stell (bam)]

126. champions are bold and daring visionaries................

one of the most important habits of the great ones is the creation, nurturing and ongoing psychological evolution of their life's vision. generally speaking, the middle-class consciousness is more involved in assisting world-class performers in achieving their vision. amateur performers are aware of what vision is, but don't believe in the concept or themselves enough to create and manifest their own visions. the middle-class consciousness needs the emotional support of other people to make their vision reality. this is where the world class breaks away from the pack. the world-class consciousness is so powerful it needs little, if any, outside support to maintain motivation and direction toward its vision. the great ones have the confidence and clarity to go it alone, if necessary. that said, professional performers are the first group to build mentor and support teams. the difference lies in their mental strength and laser-like focus on their purpose and mission in life. vision, to amateurs, is a company's statement on the first of it's annual report. vision, to pro's, is a clearly written, ten- to twenty page (on average) double-spaced document they see as their personal declaration of independence. it is the result of years of soul-searching and self-discovery. it's the reason they're doing everything they do. they read it every day and think about it all the time. all the great philosophers of the last two thousand years have agreed on at least one thing: we become what we think about. champions know this, so they think about their vision all the time. this is the primary reason for the psychological seperation between the good and the great. good performers turn off their vision when it's quitting time. great performers never stop thinking about it. as a result, when the good and the great go head to head, it's a mismatch from the start. the great ones create their vision, and then their vision creates them.

"vision...it reaches beyond the thing that is, into the conception of what can be. imagination gives you the picture. vision gives you the impulse to make the picture your own." - robert collier, 1885-1950, author

[dan stell (bam)]

sorry guys and gals, i've been real busy with this new promotional conpany "full contact incorperated" . i will be back posting here in a couple of days. thanks

[dan stell (bam)]

127. champions never say die...................

the middle class will persist until they become uncomfortable. the upper class will persist until it becomes painful. the world class never say die. champions are comfortable being uncomfortable, because they have grown so accustomed to risk that feelings of vulnerability almost seem natural. champions don't even begin to pay attention until they feel pain, which they expect to feel on a regular basis. champion cyclist lance armstrong says racing doesn't even get interesting until it becomes what he calls a "suffer-fest." even the upper class cannot compete with the world class because, while good performers have a deep desire to win, the great ones are committed to winning. the distinction between the two thoughts processes is substantial. failure to manifest the vision is not an option; champions will do it or die trying. the mantra they love to espouse is, "whatever it takes." the great ones are masters of self-denial, suffering and sacrafice. they do it all to live their vision. if you're going to go up against the great ones, you better pack a lunch - it's going to be a long afternoon.

"never die easy. why run out of bounds and die easy? make that linebacker pay. it carries into all factors of your life. it's okay to lose, to die, but don't die without trying, without giving it your best." - walter payton, 1954-1999, preofessional football player

[dan stell (bam)]

128. champions define winning as personal progress................

to average performers, winning usually means beating someone else. to the world class, winning usually means besting their previous performance. the upper class is more ego-driven and competitive than the world class. the great ones have evolved from an ego-driven consciousness to a spirit-driven consciousness, which transcends their need to be better than someone else. champions know the real game is you against you, a paradox only the great ones fully comprehend. the world class has come to the stark realization that life is not a level playing field, which makes true competition an illusion. people seeking ego gratification perpetuate the illusion of true and fair competition. professional performers are zen-like in their approach to winning, and tend to focus on exection-based performance goals they can completely control. this keeps them in line with the reality that the only parts of winning they can control are their personal effort and attitude. the great ones know the most accurate indicators of winning are their ongoing growth and evolution as performers, and more importantly, as human beings.

"the most evolved among us understand that winning is an inside job. it's not about beating or besting someone else, but rather getting the best from ourselves. winning is about being better tomarrow than you were today." - bill gove, 1912-2001, the father of professional speaking

[dan stell (bam)]

129. champions know about abundant health begins with body weight...........

professional performers know the foundation of good health is weight control. they know disease often begins when body weight is disproportionate. champions focus on diet and exercise to manage their weight and overall health. they also know the ral secret to weight control is commitment and mental toughness. the poverty, working, and middle classes tend to believe the right diet is the key to weight loss and control. the great ones realize the best diet in the world is worthless without decision and commitmment. they also know they are in total control of what they eat and how they exericise, and if they slip out of balance in this area they are quick to get back on track. taking control of weight through conscious choise is a fast track to ascending to world-class levels in other areas of your life. for those who wish to ascend to greatness, this is great place to begin. the confidence and power being thin and healthy will give you cannot be overestimated.

"a significant step you can take on the road to world-class success and fulfillment is to get your body weight under control. the confidence you will gain as a result will carry over into every other area of your life." - steven siebold

[dan stell (bam)]

130. the world class seeks the wisdom of the ages...................

average performers tend to bekieve as long as they have aquired the necessary knowledge to perform in their jobs, it's no longer important to continue the educational/learning process. the great ones are the busiest people in the marketplace. they always search for the most effective and efficient methods of learning. one favorite is reading and studying positive quotation books. these books are jam-packed with wisdom from the most highly evolved thinkers and performers. while most amateurs probably consider positive quotations to be "cheesy" the pros are studying them like scientist and benefiting from the wisdom of the ages. these books contain pure gold, and the champions know it. amazingly, you can find these works sitting on discount racksat every major bookstore in the world. very few people buy them. the masses are focused on finding happiness through pleasure that they miss the fact that happiness is a byproduct of wisdom and self-discovery. the answers are in these books, yet the masses ignore them. this mindset is a microcosm which illustrates why the rich get richer and the poor, poorer. human being cannot remain stagant - we are either growing or dying. we are either getting better or gwtting worse. the pros use quotation books as a method of ensuring they are on the path of learning and growth.

"i find television very educational. every time someone turns it on, i go in the other room and read s book." - groucho marx, 1890-1977, comedian, actor

[dan stell (bam)]

131. world-class employees see themselves as self-employed...............

most people who are employed by a company believes they work for someone else. professional performers know everyone works for themselves. from the line workers on the factory floor to the top brass of the executive team, everyone is self-employed. employees operating at the middle-class level of awareness tend to see themselves as cogs in the wheel of the organizational hierarchy. world-class employees see themselves as professional performers who lease their services to the company which employes them. This little distinction makes a huge difference when it comes to results. Amateurs feel enslaved; pros feel empowered. Amateures feel trapped; pros feel free. Everyone who works in a free market economy has the choice of where and to whom they want to lease their services. The companies are also free to hire or reject any free agent who applies. All parties are free to choose. Champions know the most significant benefit of being a professional performer is that they can write their own ticket. Everey organization on the planet is searching for world-class performers. Only 5% of the population is at this level, and a substantial percentage of those 5% are business owners not available for hire. The great ones are doing things with the mindset of beign self-employes, regardless of who signs their paycheck.

"In a sutdy done in New York some years aga, researchers found that people who randed in the top three percent in every field had a special attitude that set them aprart from average performers in their industries. It was this: they viewed themselves as selfemeployed throughout their careers, no matter who signed their paychecks. They saw themselves as responsible for their companies, exactly as if they owned the compeanies personally." --Brian Tracy author, speaker

[dan stell (bam)]

132. the great pones aren't afraid to suffer...................

the world class knows success always comes with a price tag. while the middle-class wastes their time searching for short cuts, the great ones get in the game and endure the pain and suffering every champion must endure. there is no escape. the road to victory is paved with blood, sweat and tears. on their quest to go pro, champions are not surprised when pain ans suffering tags along. they see it as part of the process. they understand, at the core of their being, that championship mentality is a result of hanging tough through adversity, and it cannot be gained any other way. the mentally tough get tough by fighting so many battles - some lost, some won - that they eventually become great warriors. the pain ans suffering process is to mental toughness what carbon is to steel. the middle class often sees taking the easy way out as victory, but in reality, they are robbing themselves of the exposure and experience they need to become great. it's the greatest tragedy of the middle class. they are so close to life of success and fulfillment, yet so far away due to their own selfdeception and unwillingness to meet life head on and endure the necessary suffering. the middle class is in a never-ending negotiation for success. the great ones know success and fulfullment are non-negotiable.

"what makes a great endurance athlete is the ability to absorb potential embarrassment, and to suffer without complaint. i was discovering that if it was a matter of gritting my teeth, not caring how it looked, and outlasting everybody else, i won. it didn't seem to matter what the sport was - in a straight-ahead, long-distance race, i could beat anybody. if it was a suffer-fest, i was good at it." - lance armstrong, cyclist, six-time tour de france champion.

[dan stell (bam)]

133. one of the best-kept secrets of the world classis their ability to use other people's thoughts, ideas, habits and traits as a way to accelerate their own journey to the top. they are savvy enough to know none of us will live long enough to learn all the wisdom of the world from our own experience. instead, they choose role models who are champions in their field and learn everything they can from these people. they approach their role models with a beginner's mindset and a humble attitude. this tends to be one of the biggest differences betwen the upper class and the world class: humility. the upper class tends to be ego-driven and have a high need for wealth and power. would-be mentors and role models can easily by dissuaded from egos. the world class has supreme self-confidence only expressed in words to themselves. this inner arrogance is rarely expressed outside their own self-talk. the great ones are able to maintain a spirit of humility and graditude thaty spills over from the inside out and covers them with a warm, loving glow. this phenomenon reckets their rate of vibration (rov) to world-class level. this creates a magnetic attraction other find hard to resist. role models and mentors love to help performers with this mindset, and their guidance and advice catapult performers years ahead of their ego-driven competition.

"set a goal, not only to follow world-class role models, but to become a world-class role model." - steve siebold

[dan stell (bam)]

134. the world class believes in the power of self-understanding...........

champions are famous for knowing themselves - the good, the bad, and the ugly. while average people choose to selectively view the qualities, thought processes, habits and traits theyadmire about themselves, the world class prefers a three-dimensional picture. the great ones are masters of self-discovery and personal objectivity because they are always improving themselves. their commitment to excellence is unyielding, and their focus would alarm average people. the pros often see themselves as performance machines with the goal of figuring out what makes the machine run. when a breakdown occurs, they want to know how to fix it fast and get back on track. the first place this philosophy shows up is in the work or career they select. it's rare to find professional performers doing work they don't enjoy. the great ones invest time in self-introspection until they pinpoint where their interests, talents and unique gifts lie. they know the foundation of the world-class performance is loving what they do. the secret is to select a job, career or business you would enjoy, regardless of whether you were paid. the pros know this, and selecting the right vocation is one of their most important tasks. in their personal life, this high level of self-understanding also helps them find and marry the right person. while average people are seeking a mate who stimulates and excites their emotions, the world class is looking for a partner who communicates and connects with their spirit. many champions describe their spouse as their "soul mate." these are marriages that usually last through thick and thin. on the other hand, when the emotional excitement dies down for amateurs, the relationship loses its attraction. studies show that 67% of the couples married since 1991 atre now divorced. people who have the same core values and see themselves as soul mates have a difficult time being apart, these two examples - work an love - are direct results of the differences in mindset. so, while the middle class is living lives of desperation, the great ones are reaping the rewards of their superior mental habits and philosophies.

"ninety percent of the world's woe comes from people not knowing themselves, their abilities, their frailties, and even their real virtues. most of us go almost all the way through life as complete strangers to ourselves - so how can we know anyone else?" - sidney j. harris, newspaper columnist

[dan stell (bam)]

135. the great ones envolve from success to significance....................

the masses chase success, and often find it elusive as a result of their limited belief system. the few that break through typically make it to the upper-class level of consciousness, where they stay their for the rest of their lives. the upper class is driven by ego and power. while some of them build financial fortunes, they often suffer from a lack of meaning and fulfillment in their lives. this is evident by the number of broken relationships many of them experience. in an attempt to agin greater fulfillment, this group is famous for throwing money at their relationship problems and attempting to use their power to coerce their friends and loved ones to their point of view. when this eventually fails, as it must, the upper class doesn't understand how they can be successful professionally, but not personally. their egocentric addiction renders them blind to simple truth that fulfillment and happiness cannot be coerce or purchased. the few that make this dicovery are propelled to the world class almost overnight, where they trade in their ego-based thoughts for a spirit-filled consciousness. the upper class focuses on success; the world class focuses on significance. the great ones discover what fulfills them first and end up with success as a byproduct. their secret to a fulfilling life is often through servant leadership to a larger group of people who need their help. there is a direct correlation between their level of fulfillment and the magnitude of impact they have on the people they serve. in other words, the more significant the champios become in their lives of others, the more fulfillment they experience, and the more fulfillment they experience, the more energy and effort they invest in other people. the success formula is similar, but requires that the performer help large numbers of people creates success by natural law. by focusing on becoming a significant person in the lives of others, they automatically gain the success that the masses so desperately seek. their world-class success and fulfillment creates world-class happiness. that's why we call them the great ones.

"i never wantes to be a successful person. i wanted to be a significant person" - nido qubein, speaker, author, philanthropist

[dan stell (bam)]

136. champions know humor is not joke.................

the world class is famous for being the hardest working, hardest playing people on the planet. the upside of their work ethic is success. the downside is stress. this is why the great ones use humor to ease tension and offer a fresh perspective on whatever challenge they may be facing. champions know the most potent antidote for stress is levity. when the world watches in horror as former u.s. president ronald reagan was shot in 1980, the first words the president uttered to his wife were: "honey, i forgot to duck." the collective tension of an entire nation was instantly lowered by this humorous statement. professional performers know that humor is no joke when it comes to enhancing their ability to perform in pressure situations. the impact of a simple laugh can make the difference between choking under pressure and breaking a world record. champions understand the power that humor has on average performers sees humer sees as folly, the great ones see it as the ultimate, instant stress reduction tool.

"comedy makes the human spiritsoar." - mel brooks, acto, director

[dan stell (bam)]

137. the world class is character conscious..................

world-class performers, almost by definition, have rock-solid character. these people are self-reliant and strong, and often have belief systems that reflect their superior self-confidence. champions take the high road and are known to do what they say they will do. if champions are your friends, you can count on them to show up hen things get tough. they won't shy away from or be afraid of advirsity. they make deals with other champions on a handshake, and view it as a binding contract. their world view is that life is what you make it, and the rest is how you take it. character is what helps world-class performers get through the tough times, and what governs their mighty ambitions. champions will push only to the limit their character will allow. when their ambitions and drives begin to adversely effect other people, champions pull back. character is what seperates ambitious champions from ambitious criminals. it's a small distinction that makes all the difference in the world.

"be more concerned withyour character than your reputation, because your character is what you really are, while your reputaion is merely what others think you are." - john wooden, hall of fame basketball coach, university of california los angeles

[dan stell (bam)]

138. the world class builds on support...................

while many amateur thinkers believe it's them against the world, professionals rely on their emotional support teams to help sustain focus through the peaks and valleys of performance. their support teams are made up of people who love them unconditionally, no matter whether they are winning or losing. champions use mentor teams and coaches to push them to greater heights, and support teams to help them recover emotionally drained. even the toughest performers in the world need emotional support from time to time, and they tap this resource on a regular basis to avoid the worst enemy of any great performers: burnout. burnout is the brain's way of telling you it's stressed and stained for the time being, and it's way of shutting you down is to rob you of any measure of enthusiasm you ever had for the activity involved. the only way to fully recover from mental burnout is by getting away from the activity for an extended period of time. in order to avoid burnout, the great ones spend time with their families, friends and other support team members that help them recover before it occurs. the support team serves as the champiom's physical, mental and spiritual oasis on their way to the top.

"lots of people want to ride with you in the limo, but what you want is someone who will take the bus with you when the limo breaks down." - oprah winfrey, television personality

[dan stell (bam)]

139. champions have a world class work ethic................

amateurs work just hard enough to escape being fired. their belief system demands they be compensated for every action they take on the job. if they can be over-compensated, that's even better. the pros have the exact opposite belief. the only way you'll ever out-work one of the great ones is to become one. they know there's no such thing as over-compensation, at least no in the long term. the pros know that a free-economy marketplace will always corredt itself. they also know the marketplace will richly reward a world-class work ethic with and endless stream of opportunities. this work rthic is the reason so many immigrants come to the free world and become millionaires. they remember where they came from and what it took to get them to the land of the free. they're so grateful for the opportunity to work hard that no one can convince them to slow down. nido quebein, a lebanese immigrant cme to america with only a dream and a world-class work ethic and built an empire. immigrants are four times as likely to become millionaires as americans-born citizens. this starting statistic boils down to one thing: a world-class work ethic.

"amateurs hope;professionals work." - garson kanin, 1912-1999, writer

[dan stell (bam)]

140. the world class dreams of the future, yet lives in the present...............

the only thing significant about the past is how it affects us in the present and the future. it holds no power other than that. 'the poverty-, working-, and middle-class levels of consciousness have a tendency to be fixated on the past. their mindset is: "if only this or that would of happened . . . if only i could have done this or that." amateurs are always looking in the rear view mirror, wishing things were different, instead of learning from the lessons of their past, they assume a victim-based mindset and tend to wallow in their sorrow. playing the victim gives the amateur an excuse for losing. the world class rarely looks back to the past except when they feeling nostalgic. the pros know the clock is running. the great ones are acutely aware of their mortality. with this mindset, the pro doesn't have time or inclination to look back. the great ones are focused on 'living in the now." they leave living in the past to the amateurs.

'your experience of yesterday should never set your foundation of expectation for what you can accomplish in the future. yesterdays lessons are the most effective fertilizer for tomarrow's victories." - john terhune ceo, rainmaker consulting services

[dan stell (bam)]

141. the great ones know how to say "no".......................

world-class performers are ruthless with their time. this behavior stems from their awareness of their limited time on the planet. they view time as their most valuable resource. as pros become more successful, they have to say "no" more often. additional projects, favors and varios burdens threaten to eat away their time. amateurs tend to believe they have more timeleft than they actually do. the thought of their mortality is too great a prospect to face squarely. amateurs are masters in the art of self-deception and psychological delusion. reality is too harsh for their fragile psyches to endure. the world class is generous, yet highly selective with their time. they seldom feel guilty about saying "no," even when they are criticized by amateurs for being uncaring and selfish. champions operate from an internal frame of reference and tend to value their own opions above that of others'. amateurs see this as arrogance; pros see it as self-confidence. the middle class is highly vulnerable to the opions of others, and tend to say "yes" to anything they are asked. this behavior suggests a generous spirit, but is more likely the manifestation of the amateur addiction to love and acceptance from others.

"do not sqander time, for that is the stuff life is made of." - benjamin franklin, 1706-1790, inventor, statesman

[dan stell (bam)]

142. champions are not addicted to the approval of others........... bill grove used to speak to audiences around the world about what he called "the most debilitaying addiction." bill was convinced this addiction was worse than an addication to drugs, booze or sex. bill call it "the addiction to the approval of others." this addiction stems from believing , "i won't be loved or accepted unless others approve of my behavior." it's conformity at any cost. amateurs operate from an outer frame of reference which values the opions of others above their own. this is why the middle class makes lousy leaders - and even worse salespeople. amateurs tend to live their lives in first gear for fear of psychological abandonment. the aggregate cost to companies hiring salespeople and executive leaders could be substanially reduced if they would hire for consciousness rather than compaliance. southwest airlines says they hire for attitude and train for skill. i'd like to upgrade that to "hire for consciousness and train for skills."

"i'm am responsible to my employees, customers, and business associates; to be honest, sincere, and to act with integrity...but i am not responsible for their attitudes or behavior towards me. i hope they like me. it's more pleasant that way, but if not, it's not my problem." - bill grove, 1912-2001, the father of professional speaking

[dan stell (bam)]

143. the world class loves liberty........

while the middle class mat take their liberties for granted, the world class sees it as one of their greatest assets. liberty: the right to act, believes, or express yourself in the manner of your choosing. the great ones know their opportunity to become great begins with the freedom to choose and create their own destiny. the middle-class consciousness doesn't hold liberty in such high regards, because they don't believe they have that much to lose. they are unaware that their liberty, combined with their ability to upgrade their programming, has the potential to catapult them into world-class consciousness. as a result, they remain mentally bound to mediocrity. they are searching the world for gold, not knowing it is right in their own backward. champions are much different, and that's why they tend to be happier, more successful and more fulfilled. their world is filled with love and abundance, while the middle class continues to operate from fear and scarity. without the gift of liberty, the great ones might never discover their true potenial. meanwhile, the middle class has everything they need to become everything they can become, yet they choose to play it safe.

"liberty means responsiblity. that is why most men dread it." - george bernard shaw, 1856-1950, author and critic