Unveiling the Secrets of Super Champions: What Sets Them Apart?
Imagine this: The year is 1992. The Olympics are on the horizon. Two decathletes, Dan O'Brien and Dave Johnson, are the faces of track and field.
They've competed against each other in world championships, each having their moments of victory. Their rivalry breathes new life into the Decathlon, catching the attention of Reebok. They sign both athletes, launching a campaign that rivals the "Bo Knows" campaigns of the early 90s.
But then, a twist.
Dan, who once confessed he "didn't love the decathlon," fails to make the team after missing the pole vault during Olympic trials. This setback, however, becomes the turning point for Dan's journey to becoming a Super Champion.
Understanding Super Champions, Champions, and Almosts
In the world of sports, there are Super Champions, Champions, and Almosts. Super Champions are the crème de la crème, the Messis and Ronaldos of the world. They've not only reached the pinnacle of their sport but have also maintained their position over time.
Champions, on the other hand, are the role players. They've competed as long as the Super Champions, but their careers are less stellar. They're still world-class, top-1%-in-the-world people, but they're not the absolute best.
Almosts are the stars that shine brightly at a young age but never manage to break into the first-level club team. They're the ones we wonder about, "What happened to that guy?"
The Rocky Road to the Top
The journey to becoming a Super Champion isn't a straight line. It's more like a mountain climb, filled with switchbacks, false peaks, and plateaus. It requires a special mental approach. Success at the highest levels is a function of mindset. It's about self-regulation, self-mastery, consistency, commitment, and resilience.
Key Differentiators
So, what sets these three levels of athletes apart?
Commitment: Super Champions show a clear commitment to their main sport, a willingness to embrace the boredom of repetitive practice.
Reaction to Challenge: Super Champions use setbacks as fuel for future development. They approach challenges with a relentless attitude, never satisfied with their development and performance.
Reflection and Reward: Super Champions pay extreme attention to detail. They're willing to explore their shortcomings and strengths, to dissect and digest what they've learned. They reward themselves for their progress, sustaining their engagement and commitment over time.
Relationship with Coaches and Significant Others: Super Champion parents and coaches take a "back seat" in the athlete's development. They support their child as a full person, not just a performer.
Becoming a Super Champion
Becoming a Super Champion requires the consistent development of skills and confidence. It requires a relentless commitment to your craft and your own development. As a leader, your main task is to foster this commitment regularly.
Remember Dan O'Brien? He embodied this approach in the 1996 Olympics. He used his failure in '92 as motivation, saying, "Every time I won, it was an opportunity for me to say, 'No, you guys, I actually am the world's greatest athlete.'"
This is what it sounds like to reach the top of your game. This is the journey to becoming a Super Champion.