According to Bear Bryant

[doc540]

"It's not the will to win that matters. Everyone has that. It's the will to prepare to win that makes the difference."

I'm a professional trainer by trade, and the concept of having the will to prepare, to give the necessary effort and attention to hone one's skills is about as close to "THE" truth as I've ever heard.

It's similar to the adage about a boxer having become a champion while training and his victory in the ring just being a manifestation of his "champion-ness".

(from BE's "words" page: "Don’t allow greed to undermine the manifestation of our capacity, which is the product of our individual training." So, the product of our individual training manifests our "capacity"? Am I understanding that?)

So, the "mental game" then, to me, becomes a matter of what motivates and continues to engage one in the preparation process.

The will to train or prepare precedes the will to win or excell.

Dr. John Eliot in, "Overachievement", proposes that through effort and repetition one can create mental habits that transform who we are into what we do and what we do into artfulness.

Edited February 2, 2010 by doc540

[Sam]

Doc, I always enjoy your insights.

As a trainer, do you find that there is a different source of motivation for the team oriented individual than for the lone competitor?

The team player must rely upon her\his ability to interact and communicate at a very high level with others in order to win. When competing solo, we have only the challenge of directing our own actions. There are interesting dynamics in both situations. I would enjoy it very much if you could elaborate on any differences you can think of.

Best, -Sam

[benos]

(from BE's "words" page: "Don’t allow greed to undermine the manifestation of our capacity, which is the product of our individual training." So, the product of our individual training manifests our "capacity"? Am I understanding that?)

To much care about winning = greed undermining capacity. "Capacity": the by-product of our "will to prepare."

be

[Duane Thomas]

My, I wonder where you saw that quote.

While it is perhaps unfashionable to admit, the God's honest truth is that - absent some sort of hideous gun malfunction or breakage, or if for some reason a particular individual wasn't able to get any sleep the night before or whatnot - who's going to win a particular match has already been decided before the match even starts. In general the match win will go to the individual who trained the best. That's doesn't necessary equate to "the person who trained the most" - though often that's also true.

[doc540]

Doc, I always enjoy your insights.

As a trainer, do you find that there is a different source of motivation for the team oriented individual than for the lone competitor?

The team player must rely upon her\his ability to interact and communicate at a very high level with others in order to win. When competing solo, we have only the challenge of directing our own actions. There are interesting dynamics in both situations. I would enjoy it very much if you could elaborate on any differences you can think of.

Best, -Sam

I could spout off some intelligent sounding answer, but lemme chew on this a while.

and Duane, I'm integrating all three of your quotes into my training! But spoon-feeding them seems to be the best plan.

Edited February 3, 2010 by doc540

[Duane Thomas]

Three?

[doc540]

Yes, the last three.

The first one is too complicated when most of the class looks like a calf staring a new gate.

I have revised it to apply to our sales environment, but it will be introduced in advanced training.

Edited February 3, 2010 by doc540

[Duane Thomas]

Ooooooh, Sam, you've been revised for advanced training.

[doc540]

Ooooooh, Sam, you've been revised for advanced training.

How 'bout that?!

Any ficticious name you'd like to create when I give credit for that last quote?

I usually use, "Col. Joe Splevins".

[Duane Thomas]

You mean Sam's quote?

[doc540]

You mean Sam's quote?

Yes, Sam's quote.

Need more pizzaz than just "Sam".

Using a first initial is impressive to the masses, like "According to J. Samuel Whatshisname...."

[Sam]

Doc, maybe you could say that "Thelonius Colt" asked that question.

I always liked the sound of "Thelonius".

[doc540]

according to "T. Lonious Colt"....

that'll work

[BradGannaway]

I just can't help it.............ROLL TIDE!!!!!!!!

BG

[benos]

I just finished John Eliot's book "Overachievement." (I thought I'd seen it mentioned in the forums somewhere.)

Overall, I related to and agreed with the majority of his concepts. And would definitely recommend his book to anyone that would like to up their performance in any realm. I thought his comparison of the "Training Mindset" to the (competition) "Trusting Mindset" was espceically valuable.

be