Sports fans, both in tennis and soccer are being treated to spectacles of superhuman proportion. Whether in eleven hours of Wimbledon tennis between John Isner and Nicolas Mahut, or in the pure grit and determination of the US Soccer team; we are treated to wonderful lessons of resiliency, determination and champion focus. The challenges were both mental and physical and brought out the best in all concerned; a testament to the best of the human spirit.
What separates us from these iconic examples is our own ability to tap into our own pools of mental toughness. Somehow, John Isner and his opponent, Nicolas Mahut refused to yield to the pressure and exhaustion and kept at each other game after game. After having goals disallowed in two matches where the calls by the referees were questionable, at best, the US team refused to allow the frustration to overtake their desire for success. It is that resiliency, in the face of challenge, that makes the achievement that much more wonderful to behold.
What does all this have to do with one's financial well-being? As human's we make thousands of decisions and as Drs. Brad and Ted Klontz write in their book "Mind Over Money", our brains are segmented into three distinct parts, what they term, "the scientist, the monkey and the crocodile."
The scientist is the rational part, the crocodile represents our primitive or instinctive part and the monkey is our searching emotional segment. When these three are working in harmony, "they accomplish amazing things none of them could manage alone." In the case of the athletes, their brains and bodies are joined for one purpose: to win. In the case of many of us; our brains fight for dominance and the part that speak the loudest wins. Our poor embattled brain tells us, for example, that buying that new sports car will bring us great satisfaction, soothing the monkey; but our scientist might be protesting that we really don't need the expense. The loudest voice prevails, meanwhile the arguments and anxiety continue beneath the surface.
Living like champions takes practice, and unlike our tennis and soccer heroes- no sprints required. Therefore, we must endeavor to create a championship training regimen for our financial well-being.
Consider the following:
1. Hire a financial coach or team of coaches
2. Live according to your values, create a plan that represents those values
3. Be an active participant in your success; check on your progress on a periodic basis.
4. Using the "Mind over Money" model; consider what part of you might be challenging your goals. The ‘monkey' will try to sway your decisions
5. Are you acting in harmony with your life, your plans and your overall goals?
6. Consider the impact of challenges and obstacles in your planning.
7. Maintain champion thinking: there's no ‘try'-just success! Be positive!
Champions invest years in preparation for their opportunity at success, with single-minded focus. In sports, like in life, there are no guarantees of success; there is just the drive for success. In life, we can overcome obstacles, mistakes and setbacks; our resilient champion-nature can lead us to success. OK there are no plates of strawberries and cream, but look on the bright side; there are no vuvuzelas either!
Let's hold up our glasses of Pimm's spritzers and toast to our internal champion and our powers of resilience! Cheers!
