Disciplines of Champions

To live a successful life, one of your major goals must be to honestly evaluate yourself and continually strive to become the person you would really like to be. If you want to be a champion in sales, the qualities and characteristics you must develop to do so, will also make you a champion in ...To live a successful life, one of your major goals must be to honestly evaluate yourself and continually strive to become the person you would really like to be. If you want to be a champion in sales, the qualities and characteristics you must develop to do so, will also make you a champion in life.

The great Benjamin Franklin once created a list of virtues he felt every man should strive to attain, then set about the rest of his life working toward that end. Mr. Franklin had a good thought there. Every human on this earth should at one time take similar stock of the world around them, seeking virtues, qualities, and characteristics that they respect in others and feel would be of value in their own lives; create a list of them, and strive daily toward their achievement.

As a warning, don’t expect to achieve them just because you have recognized them. Most virtues, habits, or traits will take some doing because they’ll be different from your usual way of doing things. Remember, it takes twenty-one days to make or break a habit. So, you should commit at least twenty-one days of conscious effort to each value you are striving toward.

You can begin simply, though, by walking, talking, acting, and believing like the person you wish to become. Now, this doesn’t need to be a real person, you know. It will very likely be the person you envision with the traits you desire.

Here are a few suggestions for disciplines that champions develop:

1. Punctuality. Being on time shows tremendous respect for those you are meeting.

2. Fast attention to details. It’s true that the little things mean a lot. If there are challenges with the little things, there will be no big things.

3. Moderation and balance. Keeping a steady course will keep you from having

4. to compensate for errors in judgment. This doesn’t mean to eliminate adventure or fun, but rather to have balance in your life.

5. Responsibility and accountability. These two words, if internalized, could dramatically alter the course of history. Learn to graciously accept your responsibilities in life, and do not live in such a way as to fear being held accountable.

6. A love for serving others. Wouldn’t that eliminate all of the equality demands placed on many of our modern relationships? If you love giving to others so much that it doesn’t matter how much you receive, your life would be a lot less complicated. In business, it would also be a lot more successful.

7. Commitment to being a lifelong student. I recently read that at least 40% of today’s knowledge is obsolete within twelve months.

Take a page in your planner and start accumulating your own personal list of disciplines that will make you a Champion!

Copyright 1996 Tom Hopkins International