A winning attitude is the cornerstone of fight culture, and it’s something we have all heard about, whether from coaches or Rocky. You’ve likely memorized phrases like “Your attitude, not your aptitude, determines your altitude” and “excellence is not a skill, it’s an attitude.” But just because you understand its importance, it doesn’t mean that having a winning attitude is easy to develop or maintain. At Fight Doctors, we understand not only the importance of the physical health of our fighters, but we also realize that their mental health is just as important. With that in mind, we’ve put together some tips on how to keep a winning attitude in the ring and out.
Choose the Right Mindset
Yes, your mindset is a choice. In fact, it is the most important choice you can make when deciding to have a winning attitude because it will become the foundation for everything else.
There are two basic types of mindsets: fixed or growth. A fixed mindset believes that you are limited in your mind, body, and potential; and that the world is out to make you fail. On the other hand, a growth mindset believes you have unlimited potential to develop your mind, body, and skills and that the universe is on your side and will do everything it can to help you win. You are already limiting yourself with the fixed mindset, so get it in your head now that you are limitless and can achieve anything you set your mind to.
If you struggle with a positive self-image, then it’s something you will want to work on. Negative self-talk is an unimaginably destructive force and will undermine everything you are trying to accomplish in your life. Get in the habit now of battling the negative thoughts that come into your mind and replacing them with positive thoughts about yourself. You are unique and gifted in a way that no one else on earth has ever been. Concentrate on the great qualities you possess and repeat those things to yourself whenever the negative thoughts try to make their way into your head.
Additionally, to improve your positive self-talk, you’ll want to watch the words that come out of your mouth. You may think you are being humble, when in fact, you are putting yourself down. Trust yourself and the decisions that you make.
Another essential mindset is one of gratitude. Be consistently grateful every day for what you have. Many have benefited from a “gratitude journal” where they write down three unique things they are grateful for before bed.
Be Passionate About What You Do
Being a fighter requires a lot of work – no surprise there. Your attitude about the work you need to put into your craft has a lot to do with your success. First, you may need to understand the process and commit to it fully. Michael Jordan’s strength coach, Tim Grover, once said, “crave the result so intensely that the work is irrelevant.”
Be willing to prepare as much as necessary to achieve the outcomes you desire. Remember, this is your passion, and you never want to give up on your passion because it’s part of who you are. Those who give up on their passions tend to miss out on an extraordinary life. As Winston Churchill said, “never give up on something that you can’t go a day without thinking about.”
Surround Yourself with Positive People
There are nearly eight billion people in the world. That is far too many people for you to be stuck hanging out with negative people with a fixed mindset. Yes, some may be lifelong friends. But if they judge you, make you question your abilities, or drain your winning attitude just by being around them, then it’s time to find a different set of friends.
You want to surround yourself with winners – people who already have a winning attitude to the point that it rubs off on you every time you are around them. Hang out with people that make you feel more powerful after spending time with them instead of feeling drained and doubting yourself. And if you can find someone you admire who is willing to become your mentor, make it happen! Someone with a winning attitude who is successful in your field is invaluable in the amount of wisdom and encouragement that they can bestow upon you.
Face Failures as Part of the Process
With a growth mindset, you are going to expect positive outcomes. And much of the time, things are going to work out. But one rule of life is that you will fail, and it is your attitude toward failure will help you keep a winning attitude.
When you fail, understand that it is all part of the process and the bigger picture. For example, a reporter famously asked Thomas Edison how it felt to fail 1,000 times at making a lightbulb. Edison replied, “I have not failed, not once. I’ve discovered ten thousand ways that don’t work.”
Don’t dwell on your failures or beat yourself up over them – learn from them. They are the greatest teachers in life. Remember that failure is a stepping stone, not a tombstone. And welcome the changes you have to make because of your failures. Some of those changes are going to be uncomfortable, and that’s to be expected. Nothing great ever happens within your comfort zone.
Be Unique
Part of maintaining a winning attitude is owning who you are. You are unique, with your own strengths and weaknesses, so comparing yourself to others is unproductive. They have their strengths and challenges, and you have yours. Sure, you can learn from them and incorporate their techniques into your style. You can use their techniques to enhance who you are, not to be the same as they are. Stay unique, and you will develop a greater sense of pride in yourself, which will go a long way toward keeping your winning attitude.
We’re Winners at Fight Doctors
Whether it’s our superior pre and post-fight medical services or our line of premium quality CBD and Delta 8 THC products, we strive to be the best – and that makes us winners. So reach out through our contact us page and let us know how we can help you in your journey toward excellence.
