Standing on the top of that podium is the ultimate result in any sport. Cliches like: “It takes hard work, perseverance, and sacrifice to win.” scream at you from magazine and book covers, posters and TV commercials. Although true to a degree, those words never fully addressed that at its fundamentals winning isn’t the norm – timeless wisdom by the famous swimming psychologist Dr. Keith Bell.
Winning isn’t normal. That doesn’t mean there’s anything wrong with winning. It just isn’t the norm. It is highly unusual. Every race only has one winner. No matter how many people are entered (not to mention all those who tried and failed to make the cuts), only one person (or one relay) wins each event. Winning is unusual. And as such, it requires unusual action. In order to win, you must do extraordinary things. You can’t just be one of the crowd. The crowd doesn’t win. You have to be willing to stand out and act differently. Your actions need to reflect unusual values and priorities. You have to value success more than others do. You have to want it more. (Now take note! Wanting it more is a decision you make and act upon — not some inherent quality or burning inner drive or inspiration!) And you have to make that value a priority. You can’t train like everyone else. You have to train more and train better. You can’t talk like everyone else. You can’t think like everyone else. You can’t be too willing to join the crowd, to do what is expected, to act in a socially accepted manner, to do what’s “in.” You need to be willing to stand out in the crowd and consistently take exceptional action. If you want to win, you need to accept the risks and perhaps the loneliness… because winning isn’t normal!”
Excellence is the inevitable part on the road to success. The word itself originates from the French language meaning: outstanding – being above the crowd.
You can’t worry about what other people think. Others don’t value excellence. Others aren’t willing to do what it takes to win.
-Dr. Keith Bell
What would YOU do to become a winner?
Winning Isn’t Normal has been out of print for awhile, however, used copies crop up through [easyazon_link identifier=”0945609019″ locale=”US” tag=”thetalcyc-20″]Amazon[/easyazon_link].
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