Fishers High School

WHEN CONDITIONS AREN’T IDEAL Champions set themselves apart on a regular basis, but when conditions aren’t ideal, you really see what separates the very best from everyone else. Unfortunately, those moments of testing are a part of the experience for everyone, so if you're serious about earning success in some important area of life, it’s worth considering who it is you’ve prepared yourself to be and how it is you’re prepared to respond when they inevitably come for you. This past weekend provided a powerful lesson on peak performance in somewhat severe surroundings. Two NFL playoff games took place in almost impossible conditions. In Kansas City, the Chiefs kicked off against the Dolphins in below zero temperatures and played in wind chills near -30 throughout. Meanwhile in Buffalo, the Bills and Steelers battled in the aftermath of a snowstorm that dumped nearly two feet of snow on the stadium. It doesn’t matter how talented, experienced, or successful you are. Even for a pro, competing in conditions like that presents a unique toughness test. The Chiefs and Dolphins were forced to compete in less than ideal conditions. That’s because when conditions aren't ideal, the voice of our inner loser is amplified. That voice relentlessly highlights the imperfect elements and tempts us in those moments to adopt a victim mentality. We all have that negative voice inside trying to highlight how unfair our situation is, how difficult doing our job will be, and how readily available our excuses are if we're willing to accept them. Our inner loser would love nothing more than for us to bail on our responsibilities altogether, but getting us to show up and accept something less than our best in those moments will do, too. The champion’s ability to tune out that negative voice and compete at a high level, in spite of the challenging conditions, is a clear indicator of their winning mindset and identity. Those athletes on the field last weekend undoubtedly had elite size and strength and athletic skill. But the mental toughness, the level of focus, and the commitment to doing what winning required of them - even in those undesirable elements - is what really sets them apart. I don’t know where it is you’re working today, but I do know there’s a chance - like there is for each of us - that some element of your environment might not be ideal. I would bet when conditions are right, you’re pretty good at what you do. But what I’m asking you to consider today is who you’ve prepared yourself to be and how it is you’re prepared to respond if the conditions aren’t right, and if today is the day you’re the one to whom that toughness test is administered. In your moments of testing, you can bet the voice of your inner loser will be there, highlighting the unfavorable elements and tempting you to adopt that victim mentality. And let’s be honest, it may be true that this is an unfair situation you’re facing, one others might not have to endure. It may be true that doing your job in these conditions is difficult, and true too that excuses are readily available. You can bet your inner loser will be convincing you to bail on your responsibilities altogether, but getting you to accept something less than your best in that moment will do, too. I hope that if today brings with it some less than ideal conditions, you’ll find yourself prepared to make the uncomfortable, inconvenient choice that winning requires you to make. Don’t give in to the voice of your inner loser. Don’t allow yourself to play the victim. Don’t use the conditions as a crutch or the elements as an excuse, and don’t let anything keep you from bringing your very best. SUBSCRIBE TO THE CHAMPIONS 101 NEWSLETTER HERE. Copyright Champions 101. All rights reserved.