Category Archives: Attitude

Coach Cael Sanderson: What Can We Do Better

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“We just try to focus on our guys and our program and ask, ‘What can we do better?’” – Cael Sanderson

Coach Cael Sanderson, the head coach of Penn State Wrestling, is often considered the greatest college wrestling coach, and perhaps the best coach across all sports. He emphasizes that teaching his wrestlers that “wins and losses” are less significant in the long run than consistently giving their best effort, improving daily, and being grateful for the tremendous opportunities they have.

This perspective is a key reason he maximizes the potential of his athletes each year.

Gratitude is a core principle of Sanderson’s program. He told Carter Starocci that he was still the “baddest dude” at the wrestling tournament, encouraging him to think critically. “You can win this national championship on one leg, but it’s going to be much harder to do that on one leg with a bad attitude.”

Sanderson believes in keeping things simple and living in the present. Past championships and successes are just that—past. What matters is wrestling one match at a time and scoring more points than the opponent. He asserts that “wins and losses” are secondary to embracing the process of giving maximum effort while competing, continually improving, and maintaining gratitude for the opportunity to wrestle.

He also emphasizes a long-term perspective with his wrestlers. He wants them to be mindful and seize the moment, not worrying about past victories or defeats. Instead, he encourages them to focus on their best efforts in the present and let the results unfold naturally.

Sanderson has instilled his focus and determination in his wrestlers, preparing them for life’s uncertainties both on and off the mat. The emphasis is not solely on winning matches or claiming national championships. Rather, it’s about cultivating gratitude for life’s opportunities, developing character over the long haul, and achieving success in life.

Cael is committed to building his wrestlers for the long term, fostering their ability to compete, learn, and grow on a global stage in any sport or endeavor they choose. He is shaping young men of great character who also happen to be national champion collegiate wrestlers along the way.

https://x.com/theschoolofwres/status/1901994618662625783

What You Think You Become

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“Your life is always moving in the direction of your strongest thoughts. What you think will shape who you become.” — Craig Groeschel, Winning the War in Your Mind

American philosopher and psychologist William James said, “As a man thinketh, so he becomes.” This sentiment explored the power of thought and the idea that one’s thoughts and beliefs directly influence one’s actions and, ultimately, one’s life and level of success.

Cultivating positive, constructive beliefs and thoughts can lead to more fulfilling and successful lives.

Conversely, if you allow negative, destructive beliefs and thoughts to dominate, your life will take a less desirable path. The daily battle against self-doubt and negative thinking can be debilitating and limiting.

Your life is a reflection of what you believe and think. What you believe and think will determine who you become tomorrow. Your life is always moving in the direction of your most substantial thoughts.

Effectively, it’s difficult to cultivate positive outcomes with negative thoughts and beliefs about yourself. Your thoughts shape your reality and influence who you become.

Additionally, there is always a reason to be grateful. Cultivating gratitude transforms your mindset and can improve your overall well-being. By focusing on the positive aspects of your life, you can enhance your mental and emotional health, build resilience, and strengthen your relationships.

Source: Craig Groeschel, Winning the War in Your Mind

Bonus: The Courage to Be Disliked by Ichiro Kishimi and Fumitake Koga (P)2018 Simon & Schuster.

In this book, the philosopher explains to his pupil how you can determine your own life, free from the shackles of past experiences, doubts, and the expectations of others. This way of thinking is deeply liberating, allowing you to develop the courage to change and ignore the limitations that you and other people have placed on you.

Seven lessons bring transformation.

1. Your Past Does Not Define You: Your past doesn’t determine your future—your choices and thoughts do. Your history does not trap you unless you choose to be and believe you are. The past is a reference for learning, not a sentence. You can finally move forward if you stop seeing it as an anchor holding you back.

2. Seeking Approval Is a Prison: You suffer because you want everyone to like you. And that’s impossible. Much of your stress comes from trying to control something you can’t control—other people’s feelings. True freedom comes when you let go of that need to be liked by everyone, not rudely or recklessly, but in a way that allows you to live authentically.

3. All Problems Are Interpersonal Relationship Problems: Personal struggles like laziness or lack of motivation are often traced to fears of failure, rejection, or judgment. Your biggest struggles aren’t just about you—they’re about how you navigate relationships. And when you master personal relationships, you master a lot.

4. Freedom Comes from Taking Full Responsibility: It’s easy to blame circumstances, people, or luck. But, when you accept the philosophy “My life is my responsibility,” everything changes. The message isn’t that nothing affects you; you still get to decide how you respond. And in that response, you reclaim our power.

5. Happiness Is Found in Contribution, Not Recognition: True fulfillment comes when you give—not to be seen, but because it aligns with who you are. You would feel different if you stopped looking for validation and just did good for the sake of it. What if happiness isn’t about being admired but knowing you’ve lived meaningfully?

6. You Don’t Need to Be Special to Be Valuable: You grow up hearing that you need to be extraordinary—stand out, be unique, and prove your worth. But real peace comes when you stop chasing specialness and embrace who you are. What if you didn’t have to be the best, the smartest, the most talented? What if you were already enough? This idea isn’t about giving up on growth and self-development—it’s about letting go of the exhausting need to prove something constantly.

7. Have the Courage to Live for Yourself: Life is about realizing your life is yours. You’ll never be free if you spend it trying to meet other people’s expectations. You will be disliked. No matter how kind, thoughtful, or successful you are, someone will disapprove. The question is, will you live your life for them or yourself? Let go of the weight of expectations and finally breathe.

Champions Adapt

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Billionaire investor and Berkshire-Hathaway chairman and CEO Warren Buffett once said, “Champions Adapt”.

This simple statement emphasizes the importance of adaptability and resilience in achieving current and future success.

According to Buffett, the ability to adapt to changing circumstances and learn from experiences is what sets champions and those who achieve great success apart from the rest.

Most successful individuals and businesses are those that can quickly adjust to new conditions and challenges.

1. Embracing Change and Challenges
– Buffett often emphasizes the importance of being open to change. He believes that clinging to old habits and ways of thinking can hinder growth and progress. Champions, according to him, are those who can pivot and adapt to new circumstances and challenges.

2. Learning and Growing from Experience
– Adaptability involves learning from past experiences and using those lessons to navigate future challenges. Buffett encourages continuous learning and self-improvement, which allows individuals to respond effectively to changing environments.

3. Staying Flexible
– In investing, Buffett highlights the need for flexibility. Market conditions can be unpredictable, and successful investors must be able to adjust their strategies in response to new information and trends. This flexibility is a key characteristic of a champion.

4. Resilience
– Resilience is closely tied to adaptability. Buffett believes that being able to bounce back from setbacks and remain focused on long-term goals is essential for success. Champions are those who can endure difficulties and emerge stronger.

5. Innovation
– Buffett also acknowledges the role of innovation in staying competitive. Businesses that adapt by embracing new technologies and innovative practices are more likely to thrive in dynamic markets.

For example, under Buffett’s leadership, Berkshire Hathaway has adapted to changing market conditions by diversifying its investments and acquiring companies in various industries.

Additionally, Buffett has adapted his investment strategies over the years, from focusing on value investing to recognizing the importance of growth stocks in certain situations.

Quotes from Warren Buffett
– “The best thing is to learn from other people’s mistakes. The second-best thing is to learn from your own mistakes.”
– “In the business world, the rearview mirror is always clearer than the windshield.”

Buffett’s emphasis on adaptability underscores the idea that success is not just about having a fixed plan, but about being able to adjust and thrive in the face of change and in any circumstance.

Always Be Positive to Yourself

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“You must always talk positive to yourself in your head.”

You will never speak to anyone more than you speak to yourself in your head. So, be kind and encouraging to yourself!

The words you tell yourself shape your thoughts, your mindset, and the life you live. Speak to yourself with the same kindness, compassion, and respect you’d give to someone you love.

Here are a few tips to help you develop a positive inner dialogue:

1. Recognize Negative Thoughts: Be mindful of when negative thoughts creep in. Awareness is the first step to change.
2. Challenge and Reframe: Ask yourself if these thoughts are realistic or helpful. Try to reframe them in a more positive light.
3. Practice Affirmations: Repeat positive affirmations daily. For example, “I am capable and resilient.”
4. Surround Yourself with Positivity: Spend time with people who uplift and support you. Their positive energy can be contagious.
5. Be Kind to Yourself: Treat yourself with the same kindness and compassion that you would offer a friend.

Remember, life is a journey, and it’s okay to have ups and downs along the way. And, being positive, happy, and grateful are choices.

Bite-Sized Motivational Quotes

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“Believe you can, and you’re halfway there.” – Theodore Roosevelt

Bite-sized quotes that pack a powerful punch:

  • “Champions adapt!”
  • “Dream big, start small.”
  • “Pressure is a privilege.”
  • ”Make it happen.”
  • ”Happiness and anxiety are choices; choose happiness.”
  • “One day or day one. You decide.”
  • “Positive mind, positive vibes, positive life.”
  • “Struggle makes you stronger.”
  • “Be a warrior, not a worrier.”
  • “Only talk positive to yourself in your head.”
  • “A bad attitude is like a flat tire; you can’t go anywhere until you change it.”
  • ”There is always a reason to be grateful.”
  • ”Yesterday is history (past); tomorrow is a mystery (unknown); and today is a blessing and gift (be mindful/live in the present moment).”

Positive Outlook on Failure

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“It is impossible to live without failing at something unless you live so cautiously that you might as well not have lived at all, in which case you have failed by default.” – J.K. Rowling

It is imperative that you adopt a positive outlook on failure and challenges. Failure, challenges, and setbacks are not the end of the road, but rather opportunities for growth and learning.

Here’s why this perspective regarding embracing failure and developing a tolerance for failure is valuable:

  • Learning from Mistakes: Failure allows you to identify areas where you need improvement. By analyzing what went wrong, you can gain valuable insights and make adjustments for future success.
  • Building Resilience: Overcoming challenges strengthens your resilience and determination. Each failure makes you more capable of handling adversity in the future.
  • Fostering Innovation: Fear of failure can stifle creativity. Embracing failure encourages you to take risks, experiment, and explore new ideas, leading to innovative solutions.
  • Developing a Growth Mindset: Believing that failure is a stepping stone helps you cultivate a growth mindset, where you view challenges as opportunities to develop your skills and abilities.

By reframing failure and setbacks as a catalyst for learning and growth, you can transform setbacks into stepping stones towards your goals and great success.

Winning is the Only Thing

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“There are two primary choices in life:  to accept conditions as they exist, or to accept the responsibility for changing them.” ~ Denis Waitley

Winners don’t always succeed in competition or life, sometimes they lose or experience failures, just like everybody else, states Denis Waitley. Yet, the winners’ attitude and mindset still make them come out on top eventually and over the long term.

Waitley emphasized that winning is not just about competition, but about striving to reach your highest potential and maintaining a positive mindset. His encourages you to adopt a more proactive and optimistic approach to life.

Green Bay Packers and NFL legendary football coach Vince Lombardi said regarding Lombardi, “Winning isn’t everything, but the only thing.” His mindset was that the desire to win and the pursuit of excellence were paramount in both the sport of professional football and life.

Being a winner is about having winning habits, a positive mindset and resilience (a never quit or give up mindset), which helps not only the winner succeed, but also the people around the winner.

“The winners in life think constantly in terms of I can, I will, and I am. Losers, on the other hand, concentrate their waking thoughts on what they should have or would have done, or what they can’t do.” ~ Denis Waitley

Winners are very aware of both themselves and time. They are usually very present in the moment, and don’t fret on the past or worry about the future.

Instead of dwelling on past mistakes and problems, winners learn from them and move on, so they can enjoy and live in the present. They’re not worried about the future or their death, because they understand life is short, tomorrow is not guaranteed, and that they must follow their own roadmap and create their own future.

Winners understand better than most that life happens, but they are responsible for their choices and how they respond to life’s situations and circumstances.

In essence, winning and being a winner is a mindset, attitude and habit.

Additionally, winners tend to be always grateful. And, there is always a reason to be grateful.

Source:  The Psychology of Winning by Denis Waitley 

Gratitude is Powerful

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“Be thankful for what you have; you’ll end up having more. If you concentrate on what you don’t have, you will never, ever have enough.” ~ Oprah Winfrey

When you shift your focus towards uncovering the goodness in every experience and circumstance, you open the door to a life brimming with gratitude.

By actively seeking out the positives and good in any situation, you’ll find that your perspective transforms, which allows gratitude to flourish and to permeate your daily experiences.

The key to magnifying your blessings lies in recognizing and appreciating the goodness, peace abundance already present in your life.

Rather than fixating on what is lacking or imperfect, choosing to count your blessings cultivates a mindset of abundance and contentment. As you acknowledge and give thanks for the good things that surround you, you set in motion a powerful cycle of positivity and growth.

What you nurture with gratitude and appreciation inevitably thrives and multiplies. So, focus on the goodness and blessings, not the storm

By fostering a spirit of thankfulness for the blessings, both big and small, you invite more goodness into your life. The act of counting your blessings not only amplifies their impact but also serves as a beacon of light, guiding you towards a path rich with fulfillment, joy, and a deep sense of appreciation for the beauty that exists within and around you.

Focusing on the positives in your life and appreciating how a mindset of gratitude can lead to greater abundance and contentment!

 

Master Your Mindset

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  • Your Mindset Is The Most Important Part of Your Success

Everything in life depends on your attitude, habits and mindset. How you feel, think, and act all depends on your attitude and mindset.

The right mindset is necessary in the world where you take responsibility and manage your thoughts.

  1. Being the master of your mind is one skill that most successful individuals have, writes author Sayra Montes. The ability to look at problems from the right angle, plan ways to attain your desires, and take action on your plans is what separates the truly successful from the majority.

Most people have the ability to be successful, but their mindset, attitude and habits are holding them back from reaching world-class success and a lifetime happiness.

The biggest obstacles: the thoughts, beliefs, attitudes and philosophies that most people have about themselves. The mindset required for achieving success. Here are ten practical lessons: from the book “Train Your Mind to Be Successful” by Sayra Montes:

1. Set Clear Goals: Define what success means to you by setting specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound (SMART) goals. Clarity in your objectives gives you direction and purpose.

2. Develop a Positive Mindset: Cultivate a positive attitude by replacing negative thoughts with empowering affirmations. A positive mindset can enhance your resilience and motivation.

3. Practice Visualization: Use visualization techniques to imagine your success. Visualizing your goals can reinforce your belief in your abilities and increase your motivation to achieve them.

4. Embrace Failure as a Learning Tool: Shift your perspective on failure. Instead of fearing it, view failures as opportunities to learn and grow, helping you to refine your approach and strategies.

5. Create a Daily Routine: Establish a consistent daily routine that includes time for goal-oriented tasks, self-care, and personal development. Routines help reinforce habits that lead to success.

6. Limit Distractions: Identify and minimize distractions in your environment. Creating a focused workspace can improve your productivity and help you stay aligned with your goals.

7. Surround Yourself with Positivity: Build a supportive network of people who inspire and uplift you. Positive relationships can motivate you and provide encouragement during challenging times.

8. Practice Gratitude: Regularly reflect on what you are grateful for. Gratitude fosters a positive outlook and helps you maintain perspective, even during setbacks.

9. Invest in Continuous Learning: Commit to lifelong learning by seeking new knowledge and skills. Staying curious and adaptable allows you to evolve and stay relevant in your pursuits.

10. Take Action: Overcome procrastination by taking small, actionable steps toward your goals. Consistent action, no matter how small, creates momentum and fosters progress.

Mindset, habits, and resilience are important in the journey toward achieving personal and professional success.

Source: Train Your Mind to Be Successful by Sayra Montes