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Italy 2-for-2 and leading Champions Trophy points!
Monday, July 19th, 2010

Italy has now consolidated a strong lead in the Champions Trophy table after day two of the 6th FINA World Open Water Swimming Championships 2010 Roberval, Quebec, Canada.

The gold medal and World Championship title in the Mens 10km went to the “Italian Stalian” Valerio Cleri, (the reigning World 25km Champion and 4th placegetter in 2009) who showed how “age = experience” when he pulled away in the final 400m and held a one body lead all the way to the finish line.

Enjoy the medal presentation ceremony video and below please find the official results as reported by Steven Munatones, Chief Editor, Daily News of Open Water Swimming.com

The final results are as follows:

1. CLERI Valerio (ITA), 2:00:59.3
2. DRATTSEV Evgeny (RUS), 2:01:00.6
3. DYATCHIN Vladimir (RUS), 2:01:03.0
4. CRIPPEN Francis (USA), 2:01:05.0
5. FERRETTI Luca (ITA), 2:01:07.8
6 LURZ Thomas (GER), 2:01:08.5
7. PETERSON Charles (USA), 2:01:10.0
8. CHERVYNSKIY igor (UKR), 2:01:12.9
9. STOYCHEV Petar (BUL), 2:01:13.0
10. DO CARMO Allan (BRA), 2:01:15.2
11. ELORZA Rodrigo (MEX), 2:01:17.5
12. VENTURI Bertrand (FRA), 2:01:18.0
13. WEINBERGER Richard (CAN), 2:01:20.6
14. CODEVELLE Julien (FRA), 2:01:28.3
15. BROWNE David (AUS), 2:01:56.9
16. FESENKO Sergiy (AZE), 2:02:14.5
17. TOBIN Simon (CAN), 2:02:17.3
18. LOPEZ Ivan (MEX), 2:02:20.3
19. REICHERT Christian (GER), 2:02:51.4
20. VANGENEUGDEN Tom (BEL), 2:03:01.7
21. ALCANTARA Filipe (BRA), 2:03:12.2
22. HO Chad (RSA), 2:04:44.5
23. DMITRIEV Michael (ISR), 2:05:45.1
24. ENDERICA OCHOA Ivan (ECU, 2:06:16.9
25. POSMOURNY Jan (CZE), 2:06:44.7
26. FICHTL Jakub (CZE), 2:09:42.4
27. SOLDO Tomislav (CRO), 2:13:11.5
28. SKRODZKI Michal (POL), 2:24:30.7

DNF: NOGUEIRA MONTERA Diego (ESP), UKRADYGA Kostiantyn (UKR), MAINSTONE Rhys (AUS), FOGG Daniel (GBR), HERVAS JADAR Fancisco Jose (ESP), ALLEN Thomas (GBR), RYCKEMAN Brian (BEL)
Disqualified: SOLDO Josip (CRO)
DNS: GIANNIOTS Spyridon (GRE)

Filed under: 2010 World OWS Championships, Champions in Spotlight, Goal Achievement — Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , — Shelley Taylor-Smith @ 9:10 am
Clash of The Titans! Day One: FINA World Open Water Swimming Championships 2010 Roberval Quebec Canada
Monday, July 19th, 2010

Day One, FINA World Open Water Swimming Championships 2010 - Roberval, Quebec, Canada.

“Clash of the titans!” “Dog-Eat-Dog!” “Expect the Unexpected” “Brutal!” These were some of the statements heard in the Women’s 10km World Championship event yesterday.

Watching the finish of the Women’s 10km event; these elite competitors were so closely packed still at the finish where they left nothing was left to chance or in the tank. All was put on the line yesterday. Only 16 seconds separated 1st to 8th place….after 10km!

Twenty-One year old Martina Grimaldi of Italy, surprised everyone but not herself when she took the lead with 700m to the finish and held her 10m lead all the way to achieving her first World Championship title. Italy went 1-2 with fellow teammate Giorgia Consiglio winning silver. China achieved their first ever World Championship medal in open water swimming with Yanqiao Fang achieving the bronze medal.

As reported by Daily News of Open Water Swimming.com, the newly crowned Women’s World Champion swam four fairly evenly-split 2.5K loops in the 10K course in Roberval: 31:08, 31:29, 31:24 and 30:44. Silver medallist Italian Consiglio swam 31:09, 30:58, 31:26 and 31:54 while bronze medalist Yanqiao Fang of China went 31:20, 31:20, 31:36 and 30:43.

Results as published on DailyNewsofOpenWaterSwimming.com

1. GRIMALDI Martina (ITA), 2:05:45.2
2. CONSIGLIO Giorgia (ITA), 2:05:57.4
3. FANG Yanqiao (CHN), 2:05:59.1
4. MAURER Angela (GER), 2:05:59.2
5. CUNHA Ana Marcela (BRA), 2:05:59.7
6. JENNINGS Christine (USA), 2:06:01.1
7. PAYNE Keri-Anne (GBR), 2:06:01.4
8. VILLAECIJA Erika (ESP), 2:06:01.5
9. HEISTER Linsy (NED), 2:06:04.6
10. ASPORD Ophelie (FRA), 2:06:04.8
11. GONZALEZ Alejandra (MEX), 2:06:07.0
12. REQUENA Yurema (ESP), 2:06:25.8
13. PECHANOVA Jana (CZE), 2:06:28.5
14. PATTEN Cassandra (GBR), 2:06:39.5
15. SELIVERSTOVA Ekaterina (RUS), 2:06:44.2
16. BAKER Cara (NZL), 2:06:45.8
17. CARDENAS HERNANDEZ Zaira (MEX), 2:06:48.4
18. HANSFORD Stacey (AUS), 2:07:39.7
19. SITIC Karla (CRO), 2:08:33.2
20. YAN Siyu (CHN), 2:08:33.2
21. BARROS ESQUIVEL Katia (ECU), 2:08:38.2
22. REICHERT Nadine (GER), 2:08:40.1
23. BERESNYEVA Olga (UKR), 2:08:44.8
24. CALDAS CALLE Nataly (ECU), 2:08:48.8
25. DU TOIT Natalie (RSA), 2:09:00.1
26. ZHIDKOVA Anastasia (AZE), 2:09:01.0
27. WILLIAMS Nadine (CAN), 2:10:05.8
28. KOTSUR Inha (AZE), 2:12:16.8

DNF (did not finish) swimmers included ARAOUZOU Kalliopi (GRE), ZUPAN Teja (SLO), BALAZS Zsofia (CAN), LAMMENS Manon (BEL), ILCHENKO Larisa (RUS).

DSQ (Disqualified) swimmers included FABIAN Eva (USA), OKIMOTO Poliana (BRA), MULLER Aurelie (FRA), LYMPERTA Marianna (GRE), GORMAN Melissa (AUS)

All results and splits can be seen at Power House Timing the official timing for the 6th FINA World Open Water Swimming Championships Roberval Canada 2010.

Hear from Steven Munatones, Chief Editor, DailyNewsofOpenWaterSwimming.com share his insights into the Women’s 10km event and what to expect today in the Men’s 10km World Championship event.

Cheers Shelley Taylor-Smith

Filed under: 2010 World OWS Championships, Champions in Spotlight, Goal Achievement — Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , — Shelley Taylor-Smith @ 12:33 am
So who didn’t fall off their first two-wheeler?
Wednesday, May 26th, 2010

It has been an amazing couple of weeks in the world of personal achievements.

I was in awe standing at North Head watching “Our Own” Aussie 16yr old Jessica Watson sail through Sydney Heads completing her solo sailing circumnavigation…well it brought me to tears. Then followed the American 13yr old who climbed Mt Everest. WOW!

Congrats to my fellow West Australian, Patrick Hollingworth who successfully climbed the Summit of Mt Everest last week. I received a SMS text message. “Shelley. Can you believe it. I climbed Mt Everest. From Your Hero Pat” Yes we can believe it! And you’re my hero Patrick for following your dream and never ever saying never! (Pat below with Sherpas Lakpa & Angkaji, at 8850m on the summit of Mount Everest.)

I’m always intrigued when I ask people to fill in the end of that sentence: “Life is a ….”
So last week I posted the question on facebook and was amazed at how many different answers came. (email me now courses@championmindset.com.au Shelley, here is my response to “Life is a …”)

Battle is one of the most common answers that pop up. B*&ch is another…
Then these ones.
..Game…
.. an adventure!
.. a pleasure, one after the other
.. box of chocolates
.. fantastic experience that should be enjoyed with the ones you love.
.. nice spot in the sun to warm up before the days mayhem
.. blessing and we are not here forever.
.. Marathon not a track meet
.. Rollercoaster!!!! - has its ups and downs but you need to jump on the ride and not sit on the sidelines watching life go by
.. “GIFT” and the gift will only be as wonderful as “YOU” make it!
.. ♫ “Highway”.. and im gonna ride it…♫
… precious miracle. We’re only given one chance, so live each day as if it’s your last. But remember, life will reward you with how much you put into it…
.. Cabaret old chum….!
.. Grand opening. Not a dress rehersal.
.. Game Day!
.. Minestrone

I choose to look at life like a game. It’s meant to ‘play’. You have heard me say many times in my presentations and workshops “thanks for playing it 100%”. Granted, I’d be lying to you if I said that it’s all ‘play’ and always ‘fun’.

Look I’m human too and I have ups and downs. Yes I do! As I’ve stated many times, I’ve failed more than I’ve succeeded in life and with my business too. Being my own boss I have had to fire myself a few times and learn new skills, adapt and grow. At the end of the day though, take all the ups and downs, and sum it up, it is a game…

And it’s a game to be WON! I know you can win. And know that it’s relative…

I meet and work with people who are already successful, who have achieved their millions and the ‘win’ for them is different than someone working to achieve their first goal, lose weight, get fit, swim a marathon, run a marathon, take that first step “admitting” they have a problem, stop procrastinating, get out of their comfort zone, follow their dream to launch their business ….

We’re all at different places in the game.

And in the course of the game, sometimes we win, sometimes we lose, however we get to start over everyday and build on the next, learn from our mistakes…

You were built to win… Built to prosper… Built to achieve your birthright…SUCCESS!

Take small steps and just keep moving forward each and every day and in a year, you’ll shock yourself at how far you’ve come….

I admire Jessica Watson for her persistence and courage and willingness to learn…despite the setbacks she had in the beginning. Despite all the doubters, the nay-sayers. Today she is Australia’s hero with her simple message “Anything is possible. If you have a dream and you work hard you will achieve.”

I wonder, like you, what will be the next BIG thing for her…

Or Patrick - who swam to Rottnest earlier this year as a warm up for his Mt Everest Summit. He said he felt most ‘natural’ climbing mountains, where most others feel ‘unnatural’, however he dove in and went for it. He made mistakes in the past. He didn’t focus on his mistakes. He learned from them and said he would prepare himself the best possible way. He stayed focused on his bigger goals. And look what he did. He became the 3rd West Australian to climb Mt Everest. Not bad huh!

HINT- when your goals are bigger than your obstacles, it’s easy to stay the course.

2 unique people, with 2 different skill sets. I could list hundreds here…
However the one thing I see they have in common. They are willing to get in the game! Next, they are willing to make A LOT of mistakes while playing the game. They just keep playing.

I talk regularly to my coaching clients…well after they have let go of me, which for some is a struggle…
I mean I am a coach not a crutch! So speaking to one of them the other day about some set backs they’ve had in their business recently and they were discouraged… (yes, they are real people too that get discouraged and down sometimes). At the end of the day though, they minimized the setback and discouragement and focused on what they wanted…

So who didn’t fall off their first two-wheeler?

Which reminds me of my dear marathon swimming mate, James Kegley, telling the story about his son Jesse when he took off his training wheels (see picture below); “It is so much fun to watch him grow and ask to try new things…the training wheels came off after a friend rode by without them.”

We all learn a lot from each other… Get in the game… Play to win!
And when you lose sometimes, just keep getting BACK in the game!

>>> Oprah failed before success…
>>> Michael Jordan failed before success… (he was cut from his high-school basketball team)
….And the list goes on. You’re born to win!

Shelley’s Success Lesson for this Week:

1. Commit to Actually DOING Whatever It Takes — Then DO It…
Even if you think you can’t do something well the first time, try it anyway. Select one activity that looks as difficult as your first two-wheeler, and schedule a time this week to get on it.

2. What have you been putting off doing because you thought you couldn’t do it well?

3. Study Oprah, Michael Jordan or someone you admire who has succeeded after many setbacks Research. Read. Study them. Learn how they overcame … whether their mindset, motivation, mental toughness Learn their “playing the game” strategy and start applying it today so you too can win!!!

And if you’re still stuck falling off your two-wheeler… then consider giving me a call to discuss the Champion Mindset Motivation Coaching Program on
0414 594 245.

Now get on your bike ….get on with playing the game!
Cheers Shelley Taylor-Smith

Filed under: Champions in Spotlight, Goal Achievement, Inspirational Stuff, Success Tips — Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , — Shelley Taylor-Smith @ 12:09 pm
Overnight success or …
Monday, May 17th, 2010

Overnight success or… Years of planning and Years of just doing it!

This weekend saw two Aussies achieve amazing feats!

Saturday it was 16yr old JESSICA WATSON’s inspirational 210-day round-the-world solo performance which saw her sail into the record books and into the hearts of every Australian!

Then MARK WEBBER last night became the first Australian to win the Monaco Grand Prix since the great Jack Brabham 51 years ago. He also claimed the formula one series lead from Jenson Button, who crashed out of the race early. It is the first time an Australian has led the championship since Alan Jones in 1981.

In his post race media conference Mark Webber said “this has been two (2) years in the planning! It didn’t just happen after the win last week in Barcelona. It didn’t happen in the past 2 days here at the Grand Prix. This win is a result of alot of planning, preparation, commitment and focus on the result. It has not finished yet. We have a lot more work to do.”


“Luck is what happens when preparation meets opportunity.”
Coach Darrel Royal

It is so easy to say, “That person is lucky.” or, “What an overnight success!” But nothing ever happens by luck. The secret is great preparation. When you are prepared, opportunity comes knocking on the door.

Both Jessica Watson & Mark Webber are two examples of…. just doing it!

People often ask me what the single most important tip for success is.

Here it is. Do more. It’s that simple. Your actions define you. Success comes to those of us prepared to take action. The willingness to take action is far more important than talent, as naturally talented people will tell you. Talent is never enough. Gutsy people get ahead. Things fall into place for them. Not everything works out exactly to plan, but they always win through. They’re irrepressible. They never stay down, for a minute. They just love to be up and running again.

Being gutsy, ballsy is open to all of us. There’s no secret that I’m about to reveal to you, or maybe there is.

It’s simple. These people take action, regardless of how they’re feeling. They don’t wait for a full moon. They don’t wait for a better time. They definitely don’t wait until they feel better about themselves, whatever that might mean. If this sounds a bit simplistic it’s because taking action, getting things done, achieving more is very straightforward. You do more, you get more, you have more, of whatever it is that you want.

The secret is, there is no secret.

When people come to me for coaching, they generally know what they want. I ask the same question of everyone, “What have you actually done about this so far?”. I’m not being critical. I’m being curious. The answer? For the vast majority of people, it’s “absolutely nothing”, or as good as. Very occasionally someone will say, “Everything. I’ve done everything. Nothing’s worked.”

I can work out a terrific Plan of Action with people. I can increase their confidence, inspire them, intensify their motivation, build them up, make them more powerful.

But I can’t make them jump, take the steps, make it happen. Only you can do that. It doesn’t even matter how confident you’re feeling. If you don’t do the necessary, what you know needs to be done, nothing will change. You certainly won’t make the gains that you could. Don’t make the mistake of thinking “if only I had more confidence, then I’d get things done.”

It doesn’t work like that. There’s no substitute for plain, old-fashioned action. Just getting on with it.
And 16 yr old Jessica Watson’s comment ”You’ve just got to have a dream … and work hard”, encapsulates it all.


Coach Shelley’s Call to Action:
1. What preparation do you need to do this week, to be ready for opportunities?

2. What are 3 action steps that you plan on doing…consistently… every day for success?

Cheers Shelley Taylor-Smith

PS: if you’re lacking confidence, not good at planning, suffer with procrastination, you’re a Gunna not a Doer, then check out the Champion Mindset coaching program, guaranteed to help you create the Mental Toughness, Motivation & Mindset to help you just do it!

PPS: Or call Shelley on 0414 594 245 and win a complimentary 15min “Pick Shelley’s Brain” session.
Limited to only 3 people. Call Shelley and say “Shelley I am sick and tired of being a Gunna…Please teach me how to be a DOER”.

Filed under: Champions in Spotlight, Goal Achievement, Success Tips, Uncategorized — Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , — Shelley Taylor-Smith @ 12:53 pm
Day 26: 50-day Challenge - We achieve when we FOCUS on what matters most!
Tuesday, December 8th, 2009

What is the most important thing you can do today?

Make it a habit to ask yourself this question every morning when you wake up.

“What is the most important thing I can do today that will benefit me, my family, my life, my fellow man, my planet?”

Why should you ask yourself this question?
>> Because it matters.
>> Because we live in trying times and the answers are more critical than ever.
>> Because you need to get in the habit of defining “importance” in your life.
>> Because YOU “CAN” ask yourself this question.
>> Because you have probably “NOT” been asking this question enough.

Ask yourself this simple question every morning. “What is the most important thing I can do today?”

The answer does not have to be BIG. Sometimes the answer will seem small, but think about it carefully…it may be bigger than you think.

Here are some examples:
#1 You will help your daughter with her homework today.
Sound small? It’s not.
>> You are creating a lifelong bond with your child.
>> You are spending valuable time with your child, time that can be used to instill values in her
that can last a lifetime.

#2 You are fed up with your boss, you have decided that you are (finally) going to start your own business, break away from your job and become independent.
Obviously this is “VERY” important. It can change your life in many ways. It can bring you freedom.

It will require lots of work, planning, and strategies, but the rewards will be great. You will be filled with pride and increased self esteem.

(Just a quick note: I will be making a HUGE announcement in the next few days regarding this topic…..stay tuned.)

#3 You will workout this morning before going to work.
>> Your heart rate will increase, your heart will grow stronger.
>> Your skin, brain cells and all the cells in your body will receive more oxygen due to the increased blood flow that results from a cardio workout.
>> You will feel less depressed because science tells us that your brain will be flooded with endorphins. Endorphins make you feel euphoric, happy and powerful.

(Note that I always write my best work after I return from a swim workout. Why?
Because the euphoria that working out brings is always accompanied by increased creativity….guess what…as I write these words right now, I am feeling this increased mental clarity and increased creativity, because I worked out 1 hour prior to beginning this article.)

#4 You stop to help a stranger on the street who is down and out.
Believe it or not it is “YOU”, not the stranger who benefits the most when you help him/her.

Again, this may seem small and un-important but it make become the “MOST” important thing you do all day…after all, you don’t know how the rest of your day will go.

#5 You register to vote. Maybe you have never voted before. Maybe you will see an opportunity to get involved to help change the system instead of just being fed up with it. (no pun intended)

Many people gave their lives so that you would have the right to vote…how important is that?

Regardless of what you decide, the most important thing you can do today is simply ask the question. Ask the question everyday. Ask because you can. Ask because it matters. Ask because the answers will surprise you. Most important……..”ASK.”

Enjoy achieving what matters most to you today!
Cheers Shelley Taylor-Smith

PS: Need help deciding how to be more effective with focusing on what matters most and deal with overwhelm, frustration and stress with so much to do and only 24hrs a day to do it ….click here NOW

Filed under: Goal Achievement, The 50-Day Challenge — Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , — Shelley Taylor-Smith @ 1:28 pm
Day 19: 50-day Challenge; Danny Green’s physiology did all the talking!
Thursday, December 3rd, 2009

Danny Green made a name for himself and into Australian Boxing history last night when he stopped Roy Jones Jnr just two minutes into the first round of their fight in Sydney.

But it was his demeanor only a matter of minutes earlier that really set the scene for what was about to unfold. Danny Green walked out as cool as a cucumber. Relaxed and smiling with his “spinach” on his arm (his daughter), then patriotic as ever, he joined in with the thousands of passionate spectators and sang the national anthem.

And then it was all over with THAT punch in the first round! ”I didn’t surprise myself,” Danny Green said. ”We told everyone that if I caught him clean I would knock him out.”

The Green Machine celebrates

The Green Machine celebrates

Does your body language speak volumes? Do you win or lose in a matter of seconds and have no comprehension of what just happened….like Roy Jones Jnr this morning waking up thinking “did I just have bad dream”?

Imagine this all-too-familiar scenario:

You’re on your way to work. It’s been a hectic morning–you overslept your alarm, your kids were crying, you couldn’t find matching socks, and to top it all off, it’s pouring rain outside.

You stumble into the office and everyone knows you had a terrible morning and you’re in a bad mood.

How? Well, first of all, they can see it before you even say a single word.
That’s because your body language says everything about you–before you open your mouth.

>> If you see someone with their head down, shoulders drooping, staring at the floor, you would assume they’re in a bad mood.
>> If you saw someone smiling, head up, back straight, and making eye contact, you’d think they were having the best day ever.

Whether we like it or not, our body language, or our physiology, speaks for us.

Some people might say this is a bad thing–”everyone knows how I’m feeling just by looking at me!”
But I think it’s one of the greatest advantages you can have. Because it means YOU CAN CHOOSE how you feel….Just by changing your physiology. The next time you have a bad day, try picking your head up, straightening your shoulders, and walking like you mean it.

Smile. Make eye contact with people. Laugh. Watch as your mood begins to change. It really does work. And it gets even better.

I discovered a long-lost NLP (neurolinguistic programming) technique that uses physiology to create rapid behaviour change. This technique has been hiding inside of you…til now. And it is the same principle that I used to become 7-time Womens World Marathon Swimming Champion and the same that Danny Green will be remembered after his historic fight last night.

It uses that basic principle of “keeping your head up” and supercharges it… So that you can achieve anything you desire just by changing your physiology. Once you understand how your “Champion Physiological State of Excellence” works, you can use it for just about anything — Bad habits, low confidence, finding love, financial prosperity… You just have to dream it –and then use this simple technique to make it happen.

Find out your secret weapon behind your Champion Physiology that creates excellence… boost your self confidence & self belief through the roof, elminate your stagnant and stuck states, overcome past old limitations, lose the weight you want, quick those cigarettes once and for all…Get In the Zone again and be in control of your life…by programming YOUR mind for success!

Your Champion Action Today:

1. When you notice your physiology weaken with your shoulders dropping. pic your head up, straighten your shoulders, and walk like you mean it….like a Champion!

2. Think of Champions you know who hold their head up…and smile effortlessly. How do they do it?

3. Hang with Champions who connect with you; engaging eye contact, head up. Watch. Observe and Model their behaviour.

and remember:
if you don’t quit…you will make it!

Go for YOUR World Title Today
Cheers Shelley Taylor-Smith

PS: Can’t pick you head up? First 3 people to email Shelley at: enquiries@championmindset.com.au with subject header: Shelley I need your help to teach me how to walk like a Champion! Offer expires midnight Thursday 3rd December 2009

Filed under: The 50-Day Challenge, Uncategorized — Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , — Shelley Taylor-Smith @ 2:10 pm
Day 18: 50-day Challenge…. Do you have the bounce back factor?
Wednesday, December 2nd, 2009

Do you have the B-B-B-B-Bounce????

Definition: Resilience is the ability of an object to return to its original form after being bent, stretched or compressed. Well that’s the dictionary’s definition of resilience.

For humans, it’s the ability to readily recover, to bounce back from setbacks, to overcome obstacles, to work though injury, to recover from ill health and to survive adversity.

Life can, and usually when we least expect it or need it, throw us a curve ball. Resilience has helped and will continue to help you on your life journey, both personally and professionally.

I wonder if Tiger Woods is feeling like he has the bounce-factor today?
An exert from The Sydney Morning Herald newspaper, 30 November 2009 by Peter Stone reads:

As John Daly landed in Australia this week for the Australian Open he might just have permitted himself a half-smile when he heard news of Tiger Woods, saying to himself, ”Well, at least it isn’t me this time.” This year, Daly has been a model citizen of golf. Not one damaging headline, well, that’s if you excuse those outrageously lairy strides he is wearing!

Jack Newton says he prefers watching Daly play golf more than most other players . ”He’s pure excitement. He’s incredibly skilful. I think he is one of the great characters of the game and, at times, he gets some extremely unfair criticism. I am sure all the world’s top players would agree.”

A few of them do. Just a year ago, Stuart Appleby remarked that Daly has more talent in his little finger than Appleby himself has in his entire body. ”He is amazing and gifted,” he said.

Daly tells of sitting in a clubhouse in the US after practice having a beer and a yarn with mates when Woods came through in his workout gear on his way to the gym. ”Hey man, don’t you ever get tired of that workout shit? Why don’t you come over and have a few beers with us and hang out,” Daly called out to Woods. Woods replied: ”If I had your talent, John, I wouldn’t have to work out.”

But what is resilience all about? What has Tiger Woods and John Daly got to do with reslience? Well everything because you can have talent. You can have obstacles. But without self-discipline you will never work at it, bounce back and achieve your potential.

>> It takes a lot to do the things you do and not get caught up in the emotion of what may or may not happen
>> It takes great discipline to stick to the things you have to do, rather than the things you want to do
>> It takes great discipline to block out the negativity around you
>> It takes great discipline to not listen to that little voice inside your head that tells you that you are getting a raw deal, or is asking, ”Why is this happening to me?”
>> It takes great discipline to stay focussed on the task at hand
>> It takes great discipline to deal with the fear and anxiety surrounding what you have to go through
>> It takes great discipline to overcome fear and anxiety by knowing things will be good if you do what is right
>> It takes skill to know what is right; but it takes a whole lot more to actually be able to do the right thing

It’s also all about independence and self reliance.

Resilience teaches us that whether or not what happened was our fault is inconsequential. But what makes it right is your responsibility: to stand up above all, and everyone else and take responsibility to get yourself to where you need to be and beyond. It takes a lot of character and courage not to go down the self pity, lay blame, why did this happen to me scenario.

You take responsibility for what happened and you take responsibility to overcome it. This is independence and self reliance at its best. But at the same time, you work with the people around you to get the best possible result in the time frame that you have.

You go through the test of having to ask yourself the tough questions. You do what is required to have the true insight and understanding of what is needed to allow yourself and others to deal with this situation and deal with it properly. Therefore, resilience requires insight and understanding.

Basically you take responsibility for where things were and where you needed them to be.

** However resilience also requires inter-dependence. That is… you know that you are responsible and it is ultimately up to you, but you recognise that you will require the help of others. Therefore, your selection of people becomes vital, as does your ability to place trust in them by letting them do what they need to do to help you.

** Resilience requires perspective. Where are things at and where do you want them to go? What needs to be done and by whom? What timelines do you have? What happens if this happens? All of these questions and situations require understanding and perspective of the highest calibre.
** Resilience requires enterprise. That is the need to take control of the situation and do it in a way that requires energy and effort. Open-minded thinking. Enterprise to realise what it takes to get this back to where it should be … and beyond.

** Resilience requires imagination. Where are you at and what do you have to do to go forward? You need to be open minded to what it will take to get the job done.

** Resilience requires principle. There is an easy way, a hard way and the right way to deal with things. In your mind there is only one way, and that is to do the things the right way ; by following the principles of character that have guided you though life –the lessons and ideals that were taught to you by your parents and family.

In the end though, resilience is about turning what others call “failure” or “insurmountable” into Success. Resilience is about the ideology of never giving up. Resilience is about doing what it takes to get things done and to get them done the right way.

Therefore, resilience is not a part-time thought; it’s a full-time action.

and remember: if you don’t quit…you will make it!
Cheers Shelley Taylor-Smith

PS: Is your Bounce Back Factor not as bouncy as it once was? Email Shelley at enquiries@championmindset.com.au with Subject Header: Shelley, I need help with my bounce back factor! and qualify to Pick Shelley’s Brain for Free! for 10mins.

Filed under: Inspirational Stuff, The 50-Day Challenge — Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , — Shelley Taylor-Smith @ 11:25 am
Day 17: The 50-day Challenge: What’s Your Spinach?
Tuesday, December 1st, 2009

Danny Green knows it takes the right spinach!
”My spinach fly in tonight, so it’ll be all good then.

….My family, my kids, they’re my spinach. I’ve got Popeye’s forearms and they’re my spinach. I just want them to get here, have a few days with them before we rock and roll on Wednesday night. There’s nothing more I can do. We’ve studied the fight, analysed it, pulled it apart and picked it apart. I’ve just got to chill, stay cool, not overload the brain. There’s no point getting nervous or getting angry or uptight, but I am uptight, you know?”

Danny Green looked agitated. “I just want to fight,” he told the Sydney Morning Herald yesterday after attending another promotional function for, without a doubt, the most prestigious boxing event to take place in Australian history, against Roy Jones jnr on Wednesday night. “The wait is hard, trying to remain calm and patient ’till we get it on. I just need to surround myself with people who help me relax, give me a laugh.”

So what is your spinach? Who are the people, surroundings, events and/or experiences that get you ready-to-rumble for your upcoming presentation, media interview, job interview, career performance meeting, sales pitch, listing meeting, potential client, gym session, bootcamp session, 2hr swim workout with Shelley or your own big day, big endurance event like a triathlon, open water swim or half marathon?

It does not matter whether you are an elite whatever in your field; what does matter is that you know your spinach! What gets you going?

I’m ready to rumble, ready to rock, but I’ve done a lot of talking. I’ll keep these answers short and sharp like Danny Green’s combinations are guaranteed to be on Wednesday night.

It’s all about planning and ensuring you start off on the right foot, giving yourself the best chance of success.

Your Champion Action Today:

5 Taylor-Made Solutions to create your team SPINACH Spirit:

1. Define what your team stands for, define your Team SPINACH Spirit:

2. Discover who’s on your team – list your balcony people: your fans in the stands cheering you on!
(1) _________________________________________

(2) _________________________________________

(3) _________________________________________

(4) _________________________________________

(5) _________________________________________

3. What do these fans in the stands/your dream cheerers hold you accountable for?

(1) ______________________________________________

(2) ______________________________________________

(3) ______________________________________________

(4) ______________________________________________

(5) _______________________________________________

4. What WOW gratitude factor do I/we realise from my team?

Go for Your Gold!
and remember: if you don’t quit, you will make it!

Cheers Shelley Taylor-Smith

PS: Need me on your Team SPINACH Spirit! Email me with subject header: “I need to pick Shelley’s Brain as I do not know what I want or how to create the right people to support what I want!” to enquiries@championmindset.com.au First 3 people get to Pick Shelley’s Brain for 10mins.

Filed under: The 50-Day Challenge — Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , — Shelley Taylor-Smith @ 1:18 pm
What’s Your Number One Today?
Tuesday, November 10th, 2009

Focus on Your Top Priorities — First…

What’s Your Number One “#1″ Today? When you Focus On #1 First, you control the outcome of your day by determining in advance the most important and rewarding thing you will accomplish before the day is done.

Today I remember the anniversary of my victory in the Sydney Harbour 30km International Marathon Swim on 10th November 1991. It was my first race after my overall win in Atlantic City earlier in August when people said it was a fluke beating the Men’s World Champion. And after finishing first overall in Sydney Harbour I did not even realise what I had achieved for women in sport until my fellow competitors reminded me that I had overtaken the Men’s World Champ, Argentinian Diego Degano for the No. 1 World Ranking in the International Marathon Swimming Association World Series.

Dawn Fraser with Shelley, Manly Wharf 10/11/91

Dawn Fraser with Shelley, Manly Wharf 10/11/91

My focus was elsewhere that day with the Taylor-Made Team for Success. Dawn Fraser alongside me for the ride of her life in a scoodoo (yes it was a sight!) cheering me, yelling at me to pull my finger out. My husband, Peter Smith, overseeing my race plan knowing deep within himself that this win would change everything for us both personally and professionally. Graeme “Grub” Caroll, a local Manly-ite who assisted Peter with his superb knowledge and surf skills (who became my swim coach when I moved from Perth to Sydney in Jan ‘92). Funny when Peter had to tell Grub after he rocked up with a chair, book, umbrella, fishing rod and esky: “Mate! Not sure what you’re thinkin’ but you won’t be sitting down…believe me. So leave all that stuff behind. Let’s keep the esky…we’ll drink those beers after Shells wins.”

But my No. 1 Focus First on 10th November 1991 was with my New York Mom “Fran Schnarr” who was in her final days suffering with Lung Cancer. Nancy (Fran’s daughter) would normally be on my boat as my coach but her No.1 Focus First was by her Mom bedside.

So I re-directed my focus and all my energy on having fun, pure and simple. Enjoying what I love to do. Racing. Competing. Challenging myself. Pushing myself, Stretching myself out of my comfort zone knowing that today could be “the day” that Shelley Taylor-Smith learns something knew about herself and her character. And yes…Winning. I love to win. No matter where I place, as long as I had given 100%, prepared and planned to the best of my ability, left no stone unturned…then I had won. And that would make my New York Mom proud!

….And I let the Taylor-Made Success Team do what they do best..coach me, feed me, direct me, support me, encourage me and kick me in the pants if need be too. I am still amazed by what “WE” achieved that day. The Taylor-Made Success Team ROCKED!!!!!

Shelley & David O'Brien, 1st and 2nd, 10/11/91

Shelley & David O'Brien, Australia 1st and 2nd, 10/11/91

So as I stated in the beginning of this blog; when you Focus On #1 First, you control the outcome of your day by determining in advance the most important and rewarding thing you will accomplish before the day is done. Of course there are times when urgencies will need to be handled first.

However, before you start, identify and then schedule the earliest time possible to complete your #1 priority. My no.1 priority on that fateful day as is now an everyday habit is to be grateful for what I have and my commitment to do what I love passionately, patriotically and purposefully.

“The reality of life is that your perceptions — right or wrong — influence everything else you do. When you get a proper perspective of your perceptions, you may be surprised how many other things fall into place.”~ Roger Birkman

Today’s Champion Action:

1. How far down your priority list are you so far today? _________________________________

2. What one thing will you get done today to advance your most important goal? ___________________________________________________________

3. What priority deserves all of your attention next? _________________________________

Pursue Excellence ~ Reject Mediocrity today and you will produce greater results over time by consistently taking CHAMPION actions. Think Like A Champion today and you’re on your way to achieving your goals sooner.

Cheers Shelley Taylor-Smith

PS: …And 18yrs on I am still the only woman to hold a No.1 World Ranking for both men and women in the history of any sport worldwide (BBC TV 2002). Thanks Taylor-Made Success Team WE DID IT!!!

Filed under: Goal Achievement, Inspirational Stuff, Success Tips — Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , — Shelley Taylor-Smith @ 2:50 pm
Who is the most important person in your life?
Tuesday, October 6th, 2009

Who is the most important person in your life?

As you ask yourself that question, consider that it’s not your parents, nor your children or any family members..

and it’s not your best friend either.

The answer is… YOU!

You are the most important person in your life.

And if you’re like most people I hear from, what’s going on out in the world right now is creating anxiety in your life.

In fact, many people report being overwhelmed and downright scared about being able to provide a safe, secure and happy life for themselves and their families.

That’s why now, more than ever, it’s critical to take care of yourself and that starts with KNOWING how to take care of yourself.

So what can you do… where do you start?

Consider today that your performance is what matters most in each of your roles. Make sure you are giving each of your roles the time and the performance level it deserves.

Make sure you have a mission, a goal, a plan, a priority and a time to act for all of your roles.

Today’s Quest… Answer Honestly:

What can you plan, right now, that will enrich one other area of your life? ______________________________________________________________

What’s keeping you from achieving the balance you want for your life? ___________________________________________________________

Does tomorrow’s schedule include a balance of work, family and self? ___________________________________________________________

Live the Life You Love Today.

Cheers Shelley Taylor-Smith
Australia’s No.1 Mental Toughness Coach

PS: need help toughening up…call Shelley on 0414 594 245 or email champion@championmindset.com.au and it would be my pleasure to teach you how to achieve your goals…and know you’re the most important person in your life!

Filed under: Goal Achievement, Success Tips — Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , — Shelley Taylor-Smith @ 3:02 pm
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