MENTAL DIET: How to Become A Peak Performer In Life (Part 2)
In the 2005 Italia Masters tournament in Rome, tennis champion Andy Roddick was paired against Fernando Verdasco from Spain. The game point was in favor of Roddick.
In the third round of the game when Verdasco hit his second serve, the line Judge called the ball “out,” and the crowd began to cheer for Roddick. Verdasco moved towards the net to shake hands, as if the match was over.
But Andy rejected the point rather he said that the ball was “in” and drew the attention of the Umpire to a slight indentation on the clay court which showed that the ball had landed on – not beyond – the line.
Surprised, the Umpire permitted Roddick to overrule him and the point was awarded to Verdasco.
Everyone was amazed by the action of Roddick especially in a game that is not typically played on the honor system – but on the Umpire’s calls. Roddick had made a call against himself and went on to lose the match.
PEAK PERFORMERS HAVE CLASS
“Winning in life is more than just money…it’s about winning on the inside…and knowing that you have played the game of life with all you had… and then some”
- Doug Firebaugh, author, and marketing expert.
Yes, though Andy Roddick lost the match that day, however, he created an indelible memorable event in the minds of people everywhere – Roddick gained an uncommon credibility, and his honor preceded him. Andy Roddick moved passed the success domain to the hallmark of a life of significance.
What if Roddick had “played” along, accepted the Umpire’s call, and “won” the game? Yes, he would have received the cheers and applause of the crowd, public recognition as a winner, and of course gained monetary reward for “winning”.
However, whenever he looks in the mirror, deep inside him he will know that he is a phony; the impression of guilt and deceit within will weaken his confidence and consequently, degrade his performance and contaminate his self-respect.
The big question is: Can you let go of a temporal gain to secure a permanent win of a clear conscience beyond silver or gold and everything transient?
TALENT AND ABILITY IS NOT SUFFICIENT
The name Maradonna Diego elicits peak performance and is an embodiment of talent and ability in football sport history.
Maradonna Diego was an Argentine footballer player and manager, widely recognized as one of the greatest players in the history of the sport; he was one of the joint winners of the FIFA Player of the 20th Century award.
From the mid-1980s until 2004, Maradona was addicted to cocaine.
He allegedly began using the drug in Barcelona in 1983. By the time he was playing for Napoli, he had a full-blown addiction that interfered with his ability to play football. Unfortunately, that began the spiral of crisis in his destiny. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diego_Maradona
“He is someone many want to emulate, a controversial figure, loved, hated, who stirs great upheaval, especially in Argentina…Stressing his personal life is a mistake. Maradonna has no peers inside the pitch, but he has turned his life into a show, and is now living a personal ordeal that should not be imitated”
- Jorge Valdano – former teammate.
I am convinced that you can’t play down on your character if you want to keep moving upward and finish strong in the game of life. The belief that private life is separate from public life is a myth. The game of life is played and won from the inside out; from the private to the public – no more, no less.
DO YOU HAVE A PLAN NOT TO MESS UP YOUR LIFE?
“I’ve concluded that while nobody plans to mess up their life, the problem is that few of us plan not to. That is we don’t put the necessary safeguards in place to ensure a happy ending”
- Andy Stanly – author, pastor.
If you want your life to be an inspiring example you must become intentional about your life. The power of intentionality is founded on the values you have thoughtfully crafted and are committed to living by every day. Your value system forms the structure of your character which safeguards your destiny.
Values govern conduct or behavior. Complete integrity on the inside is required for replete performance on the outside. Unwavering commitment to good values produces an unshakable self-confidence and an unshakable self-confidence delivers peak performance.
To raise the level of your performance to an ever-heightening peak you must raise the standard that you are committed to live by and to raise the standard you are committed to live by you must start with your inner life.
- Determine your values?
What are your personal values?
- What are your values for your work or business?
- Clarify your values
When you clarify your values you simplify your life and amplify your success.
- What do you stand for?
- What will you not stand for?
- Who are the kinds of people you most admire?
Who you most admire reflects the kind of person you most aspire to be.
- Why do you admire them?
What you admire most about people reflects the quality of your values.
- Who are the kinds of people or friends you are comfortable to be around?
The kind of person or people you are comfortable around determines the value system you uphold.
- Organize your values
- Write down your personal and business or work values in their order of importance.
- Practice your values
Practice makes for permanence. Live out your values; let them guide you in your decision-making.
Remember, what you choose to do in any given situation, especially under pressure or stress is a true reflection of what you value most. And when you live out your values in those difficult moments your values become part of your mental process that makes for permanence as your life habit which forms your character and your character shapes your destiny.
- Strategize on what you are going to do differently to harmonize your actions with your values if you make a mistake or derail from your values to ensure that you act better in alignment with your values.
