The same principles apply… We sincerely believe that what it takes to be a winner in athletics and academics is exactly what it takes to be a winner in the game of life. The principles for excellence in one are the same as in the other. The difference between a great and a mediocre athlete is the difference between one who gives up and one who doesnt. The same thing can be said about a salesman, an attorney, a doctor or a person in any other occupation. I personally know that these same principles work in the business world. As a manager, the qualities I look for in an employee are identical to those I look for in a wrestler. Id personally rather have five hard-working, loyal employees than 100 with little or no character who just dont care. The same principle applies to my wrestlers. We win championships with quality, not quantity. I look for athletes who want to win so badly they cant live with losing. You can understand why I would want my salespeople to have the same competitive qualities. Character comes first, followed closely by desire, dedication, discipline and perseverance. My salespeople, like my wrestlers, must possess all of these qualities as well as be highly competitive and mentally tough. Why? Sales is nothing more than one-on-one competition. And its mentally tough, for sales are seldom made on the first attempt. I have found that the best salespeople are those who refuse to quit until they close. Their competitive spirit and mental toughness give them the edge. Is it any wonder, then, why perseverance and persistence are so vital, not only for the athlete, but the businessperson as well? Success and failure are affected directly by these key personality traits. Luck has nothing to do with it, as you should know by now. This, then is the key to success. Acquire certain personality traits - discipline, perseverance, mental toughness, desire - that will give you the competitive edge. Obtain the knowledge and skills needed to succeed. Athletics are a mirror reflection of life; they provide an excellent training ground. Combine athletics with a sound formal education and you will have a winning game plan. Combine athletics and academics. If youre a great athlete without a sound education, youll end up a loser in life. Likewise, a well-educated person without a competitive spirit and the necessary mental toughness will also fail. Think about it this way. If someone you really cared about was sick and needed an operation, would you want a doctor without a competitive spirit? Would you want a doctor who loved to win or a doctor who was well-qualified, but just wanted to put in his or her time? I would prefer a doctor who had paid the price, who had earned the right to be great, who loved to win and who was willing to make the extra effort to do so. The American free enterprise system is beautifully expressed in athletics. The spirit that made America great is found in the competition, the drive, the pressure, the desire to achieve and the challenges of our athletic programs. The principles weve been discussing are so important. They apply everywhere. ~ Coach Howard E. Ferguson
Posted on: Sun, 29 Jun 2014 16:13:46 +0000
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