Are you a winner? “At what?” you may be asking.
It doesn’t really matter what specifically. This question applies to just about any task you’re undertaking, whether it’s physical, mental, or emotional.
See Yourself as a Winner
You must see yourself as a winner, even before you begin. If you’re in the middle of a project right now, begin to see yourself as a winner. You must have the mindset that you’re going to win even before you start.
Why is it so important to think of yourself as a winner even before you begin?
“Your thoughts are the source of your emotions and mood. The conversations you have with yourself can be destructive or beneficial. They influence how you feel about yourself and how you respond to events in your life.” Healthline.com
Barbara Fredrickson
Professor Barbara Fredrickson, a social psychologist from the University of North Carolina in Chapel Hill, who did extensive research on the power of positive thinking, linked emotions to thoughts. She likened positive emotions to nutrients that expand your field of vision.
I especially like this quote from her research in speaking about positive mindsets, “these broadened mindsets carry indirect and long-term adaptive benefits because broadening builds enduring personal resources, which function as reserves to be drawn on later to manage future threats.”
Mohammed Ali
I couldn’t help but think of the boxer, Mohammed Ali.
When I was growing up I would hear on the radio or see in the newspaper, where he would repeatedly say, “I am the Greatest!” Having been taught not to be boastful or think too much of yourself, I felt he was exactly that. Boastful.
As an adult, I recognized it was more than that. It was important to always see himself as a winner. Every fight that he went into, he saw himself as a winner, despite what the pundits said. This gave him the confidence to do what no one thought he could and go where no one else thought he would.
I am not a fan of boxing or any aggressive sport, yet I could not help but be impressed with Mohammed Ali’s positive attitude and self-talk as evidenced in this video. Warning: Not for the faint-hearted!
What will you take away from this message? Will you be determined to see yourself as a winner even before you begin? It takes practice to incorporate positive self-talk that overrides any negativity.
Start with creating simple affirmations that you write in the present tense and say aloud.
Examples
- “I am a Winner”
- “I achieve success in everything I do”
- “I have the knowledge to succeed.”
So, in conclusion, see yourself as a winner even before you start, and create positive affirmations to encourage you to develop a positive mindset and positive self-talk to override any negative thoughts that pop up from time to time.
9 replies to "Are You a Winner?"
Love this to see yourself as a winner to begin with and the use of the positive affirmations. The Mohammed Ali example is Great!
Amazing the difference positive thinking and positive self-talk can make, Livvie, as you have perhaps discovered for yourself. I’ve always always liked the quote attributed to different people but this version by Mary Kay Ash speaks its truth: “If you think you can, you can. And if you think you can’t, you’re right.”
I’m going down memory lane after reading your post, Yvonne, back to the time when I was preparing for Level 1 exams for my Chartered Accountancy qualification in London and our teacher used to keep pounding it into us that we were winners and to believe that we had passed those difficult exams. The other tip he used to give us what to eat jacket potatoes from the local Spud U Like shop.
I guess the potato eating was to make sure that we ate food but when I look back at the entire experience, he was working on our mindset for success while teaching us the required syllabus for an exam where only 2% of candidates passed on a nationwide basis.
You were blessed with an amazing teacher who imparted not only knowledge but wisdom, Vatsala. I believe, as you do looking back, that he was seeking to empower his students with a positive mindset so they would see themselves as winners and give them the confidence to succeed in their exams. Thank you for sharing your experience.
Direction of thought! Think in the direction you want to go. Thank you Yvonne
Exactly, Fran. Great way of putting it into perspective. Thank you.
Yvonne, your post is such an inspiration. You gave great examples of why telling yourself that you are a winner is not being boastful, but rather it is keeping your thoughts positive and focused on success.
Thank you for adding richness to the conversation, Kathleen. There is a lot of value of affirming the positive in order to maintain the winner’s mindset.
Love this yes I am a winner and known for my positivity, there are so many ways you can be a winner, both small and large thanks xo