On January 17, 1995, I hit the wall 8hrs into my solo swim from Sydney to Wollongong (I know what you’re thinking…what were you thinking Shelley?) Little did I know that I had 4hrs 30mins of swimming remaining!

The water had dropped from 21C to 12C. Imagine if you can swimming at the front of the cage with the ocean water dumping on top of my head every 5 seconds much like a bucket of cold water dumped on you in the shower. I had this humungus (Aussie lingo for huge) throbbing headache. Sharks had been circling. My fingers and toes were bruised and fractured from being picked by the velocity of the waves hitting the front and back of the cage.

I wanted out….normal behaviour I thought. I was stamping my feet like a child ’spitting the dummy’ as I repeated to my coach “I want a hot chocolate” “I want a hot shower!” “I want…I want” “I want out!”

Then came the most honest of all statements…“I have nothing to prove!”

My coach ‘Grub’ turned to me noticing my lips had turned blue and my back was shades of purple from the wind exposure; put two fingers up and said “How many fingers?”

I flashed back to Lac St Jean in Roberval, Quebec, Canada at the 1992 Pan Pacs 25km event when Grub asked that same question and I cannot remember my answer as I passed out unconscious from hypothermia and Grub saved me.

My moment of truth had come …way out there at sea thinking …hmmm if I say three…I can get out of this quick smart! I took the longest time contemplating should I or shouldn’t I. I replied “two” and Grub told me abruptly “put your head down and get going NOW!” I said “no!” to which Grub replied “Give me 20mins.”

I put my head down and said to myself
“If you don’t quit…you will make it!”
“If you don’t quit…you will make it!”
“If you don’t quit…you will make it!”

These 8 words are all I said over and over and over to myself in the 90km solo swim to Wollongong. 20 minutes turn to 40 minutes then 60 minutes and a pod of dolphins appeared out of no where which cheered me up. All of a sudden my stroke returned to normal and the water appeared to warm up.

Your attitude determines how well you will succeed when faced with a challenge. We did succeed that day when we made it to Wollongong Harbour in 12mins 28 mins and 30 secs.

Would you like to be able to instantly acquire a winner’s attitude?

Now is your time to discover how to control the one thing that means more to your accomplishments and happiness than anything else … Your Attitude!

Here is a simple positive Champion habit that will change your attitude in seconds!

Your Champion Action Today:

1. Choose or create a positive mental attitude trigger phrase and repeat it aloud many times each day. A habit trigger is an event, action, or thought that helps to reinforce your positive habits.

Your trigger phrases will help you to maintain a positive mental attitude. Choose or make up a positive phrase, such as..

” I know I can do it.”
” I can overcome any obstacle.”
” I am reaching my success goals every day.”
” I am getting stronger and stronger every day.”
” Every day I am getting closer and closer to my goals in life.”
” If I believe it.. I can achieve it.”
” Every day, my mental attitude is becoming more positive.”
” I am achieving my goal weight every day.”
” I am getting closer and closer to my goal of a trim and fit body.”

2. Write down your trigger phrase on Post-it notes; place them on the mirror of your car, on your bathroom mirror, carry the note in your pocket. Or as I did, place on the sun visor of the car, so when I needed an attitude check up, I’d flick the sun visor down and instantly know where I was going and how to get there!

3. Repeat the phrase many times every day, remember to say it with emotion, believe it with all your heart. Make it a habit to repeat this phrase at least 30 times a day. Start your day with it.

4. The more you repeat your trigger phrases, the greater their effect will be on your attitude. Whenever a negative thought enters your mind, replace it with your positive-attitude trigger phrase.

You will now be building success-oriented positive thought patterns. This Champion habit will help you achieve a positive mental winner’s attitude automatically.

Remember,attitude is everything!
and… if you don’t quit…you will make it!

Cheers Shelley Taylor-Smith

P. S. If you want to achieve greater success, you might want to read what I have to say. It may help you with issues you are now facing. Review past blog posts and read the articles at http://www.thinklikeachampionclub.com/articles

PPS: Want to Pick Shelley’s Brain? Email Shelley directly at champion@championmindset.com.au with subject header: “I want to Pick Shelley’s Brain” and send your enquiry/questions.

Remain Constantly Connected to Your Mission…

Actions Speak Louder Than Words.

Always define each of your most important values in life as an action such as: “I will always act with integrity” OR “I will always speak positively.”

It’s time to let what matters most to you shine in all that you do.

“A test of what is real is that it is hard and rough. Joys are found in it, not pleasure. What is pleasant belongs to dreams.”~ Simone Weil

Your Champion Action:

1. Have you defined your values as actions yet?

2. Can the people around you tell what you value in life, simply by observing your actions?

3. What action statement could you promise about one of your values in life?

Final Word from Coach Shelley:
Achieve ALL Your Goals Sooner Today. Dead stop the FEAR of success… the FEAR of failure… the FEAR of the future. Take SMARTER actions more consistently.

Go for gold Champ….it is your birthright to achieve!
and remember: if you don’t quit…you will make it!

Cheers Shelley Taylor-Smith

P. S. If you want to achieve greater success, you might want to read what I have to say. It may help you with issues you are now facing. Review past blog posts and read the articles at http://www.thinklikeachampionclub.com/articles

PPS: Want to Pick Shelley’s Brain? Email Shelley directly at champion@championmindset.com.au with subject header: “I want to Pick Shelley’s Brain” and send your enquiry/questions.

Here is one of my favourite positive habits that will instantly motivate you and make you feel happy, inspired, invigorated, energised or calm, cool and collected…..you will love it!

Make a list of the songs that you love the most; songs that make you feel happy, joyous, excited, full of energy, or focused, driven, motivated …at heart.

Make a CD of these songs or create a playlist for your ipod.

Play these songs at a designated time, such as on your way to or from work, during a workout, or just when you want to be motivated. If you have an ipod the easiest way is just create a play list with your favourite “feel good” songs.

Try and get into the habit of “Zoning out” and “Zoning in” with these songs.

What does that mean?

Whether I was preparing my mind for the English Channel Solo Crossing in 1990 or training for the 6th FINA World Swimming Championships in my hometown of Perth, Australia in January 1991, I would visualise myself strong and powerful in each stroke and as I do this; I get into the music so much that I sometimes would forget where I am….I have completely zoned out of my surroundings.

Yeah, I know what you are thinking…a great way to forget the pain I was in around the 20km, 40km, 60km or 80km mark!

As I woke on the morning of competition whether for a local meet, State or National Championship, FINA Marathon Swimming World Cup or World Championship; I would begin the day with a short visualisation exercise. I had already practiced this hundreds of times in training, on my way to training, as I did my warm up stretching exercises, in the gym and at night before I would go to sleep.

Each time I practiced the visualisation exercise I would have a greater clarity and focus of the task ahead. Why because my vision of what I wanted to feel and what I wanted to achieve became more believable day by day combined with my discipline and commitment to the goal!

The habit of “zoning in” became a habit with each daily visualisation. With the countdown to competition day getting closer I could tap into this emotion and feeling easily. I became this emotion and feeling walking-the-talk with every breath I took.

Here is another example:

When I go for my daily 5km power walk I play my songs I love on my ipod and I “Zone out” of everything around me. I concentrate more and more on the music…I am zoning out of my surroundings, and zoning into the music and the feelings I get from the music.

This is also a great stress reliever.

As you listen to songs that you love, your mood will be elevated.
Picture yourself as succeeding in what is most important to you right now.

Do this over and over again. You will find that music triggers will automatically motivate you and give you a feeling of power and well-being.

I have been able to instantly place myself in a better mood on cue by playing songs that make me feel good. I have been able to eradicate my lack of motivation as I climb out of bed at 4am preparing for a 15km pool workout. I have been able to calm myself down as I fight the waves in sheer frustration knowing I will never win against Mother Nature. I have been able to just “zone out” and “go with the flow” reserving those vital energy stores for the end of the race…when I will need them most.

As I am just heading to the Dubai airport I will now start “zoning out” preparing for the 15 hour long haul flight home to Australia.

And the good news…is you can too!

****

Action Steps to Thinking Like A Champion!

1. Compile a list of songs that put you in the mood that you want to be feeling. Excited! Enthused! Passionate! Powerful! Energetic! Committed! Disciplined! Focused! Driven! Motivated! Purposeful! Relaxed! Calm! Grounded! Blessed! Grateful! Joy!

2. Transfer these songs onto your i-pod. Make different playlists of the different songs. Playlist is the title of the mood you want to be feeling as compiled in your list above.

3. As you wake in the morning getting ready for the day ahead listen to the play list according to how you want to feel. If you are in the gym, powerwalking, swimming or participating in your daily exercise regime play your ipod and get into the habit “zoning in” or “zoning out”.

4. Focus on your breathing with this emotion and feeling of the song.

5. Visualise the energy changing within your body as you focus on your breathing.

Go for gold…it is your birthight to achieve your goals!

Cheers Shelley Taylor-Smith

P. S. If you want to achieve greater success, you might want to read what I have to say. It may help you with issues you are now facing. Review past blog posts and read the articles at http://www.thinklikeachampionclub.com/articles

PPS: Want to Pick Shelley’s Brain? Email Shelley directly at champion@championmindset.com.au with subject header: “I want to Pick Shelley’s Brain” and send your enquiry/questions.

…..THEN “STOP IT”

With all the positive news in the media, and spring begun, it feels like it’s time to turn a corner and think a little differently.

Easier said than done.

Your Work: The in tray is still full, the email comes in floods, and the phone just won’t leave you alone.

Your Health & Fitness: You had good intentions. You joined a bootcamp. You signed up at the local gym. Daylight Savings is here and no more excuses…but you keep hitting the snooze button.

Your Finances: ??? Your Family: ???
Your Self: You’re kidding yourself Shelley, time to focus on me…what the?

How will you CHOOSE to make a NEW START?

Bob Newhart has the answer. Click on the video and learn the answer to quitting a bad habit…the answer is only 2 words!

What are your 10 words?

Simply CHOOSE to take action and STOP IT. Taking ACTION requires you to :

1. CHOOSE>>: Accept responsibility
2. CHOOSE>>: Get in touch with your passion daily
3. CHOOSE>>: Value what you are truly worth
4. CHOOSE>>: Daily practice your new habit
5. CHOOSE>>: Celebrate your Champion self, pat yourself on the back
6. CHOOSE>>: To keep going all the way to the finish line
7. and remember….if you don’t quit, you will make it!

Learn to identify poor patterns of thoughts/actions and STOP IT!! then replace it with an appropriate substitute. Make the changes you need to make, both at the level of your consciousness and in action so you become Unconsciously Competent.

Act on your 10 words today…and stop it!

Go for gold…it is your birthright!
Cheers Shelley Taylor-Smith

I received a lovely compliment from a gorgeous GenY yesterday after presenting “The Winners Mindset” at the Lunchbox List Career Boosters Breakfast. “Shelley I am a morning person too!!!”

Are You A Morning Person?

It is important that you schedule tasks around your most productive time periods in your day.

Observe the times of day when you tend to be the most creative, social or adapt at problem solving.

Do your best to match your scheduled tasks to the time when you’re at your best for that type of task. Learn to work with your natural, daily rhythms instead of against them.

“A strong positive mental attitude will create more miracles than any wonder drug.”~ Patricia Neal

Your Champion Action:

1. What time of the day are you the most creative?

_______________________________________________________________

2. Are your interpersonal skills better in the morning, afternoon, or evening?

________________________________________________________________

3. Which part of the day are you best at problem solving?

________________________________________________________________

Final word from Coach Shelley: “Pursue effectiveness and reject mediocrity today!”

Beware what’s holding you back from greater success. Keep a watch out for the thieves including frustration, fear and self doubt.

Remember it is your birthright to achieve the SUCCESS you desire… a great deal sooner.

Go for your gold!
Cheers Shelley Taylor-Smith

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!

Give Proper Time to Each Role…

All Work And No Play?

To keep a healthy balance and to prevent burnout, switch between your roles as needed to stay current with your interests, hobbies, family, friends and fun.

Focusing on only one area of your life, to the exclusion of the others, is fine for a while; but, know when too much on one means too little on others.

“There are some people who live in a dream world, and there are some who face reality; and then there are those who turn one into the other.”~ Douglas Everett

Today’s Quest…

1. What things have you scheduled for today or for this week that are interesting and fun? ___________________________________________________________________________

2. When you’re not working, how do you spend most of your waking hours? ______________________________________________________________

3. What are you willing to do today to improve the balance in your life? ___________________________________________________________

Achieve Greater Success Today. Choose Success over Failure. Eliminate the NEGATIVES driving your performance… accentuate your POSITIVES.

Go for Gold…it is your birthright to achieve your goals!

Cheers Shelley Taylor-Smith

“If you do what you’ve always done, you’ll get what you’ve always
gotten.” - Anthony Robbins

Here is a simple, but very powerful Positive Habit.

Read your goals aloud every day.

Very few people do it, but the ones that do experience amazing changes in their life. By reading your goals aloud every day, you are reinforcing in your mind exactly what it is that you intend to achieve.

By visualising your goals every day, they become entrenched in your subsconscious mind and you will gravitate towards the completion of those goals.

Try this simple exercise…it is as easy as 1,2,3…
1. Write down 3 important goals you want to achieve in 2009.
2. Read them aloud right now.
3. Read them aloud every day for the next 30 days.

PS: As far as I know, we only get one go at this thing called life! Why spend yours stressed out, worried, running around like a mad man trying to get things done. Wouldn’t you like to work less and earn more? Wouldn’t you like more time to spend with your family or doing what you love doing?

The Get Mentally Tough 90-days Coaching Program will help you to get your life in order, fast. Ask yourself this - if you keep doing what you’re doing now, where is that going to lead you?

One definition of insanity is “To repeat the same mistakes over and over again, and expect different results”. If you’re doing the same thing as you did last month, last year, and the year before that and the year before that, how do you expect anything to be different? It won’t be, unless you do something different.

Why not participate in the Get Mentally Tough 90-day Coaching program to finish off the year in Champion style. Especially considering your results are 100% guaranteed? You risk nothing, and you never know, you might just get the results you are looking for.

How good would it feel to be able to make a promise to your kids and actually keep it? To make a promise to your better half and be there to keep it? To arrive home happy, content at the end of your days work? To sleep like a baby, not worrying about work and bills? To earn more money while working less hours?

How good would all that feel? You CAN have all that and more. Our new coaching program can help you to get it, fast. However, only limited places are available in the Get Mentally Tough 90-day Champion Coaching Program. Don’t miss out, find out more today….

If you’ve been thinking about coaching, or about changing your business or career and your life, then why not try a coach who offers you guaranteed results? Go to the Get Mentally Tough 90-day Champion Coaching Program to find out how you can get the results you both need and deserve, 100% guaranteed!

For details on how the program works, the benefits and investment required CLICK HERE

Cheers Shelley Taylor-Smith
Passionately committed to supporting you achieving your Goals with less overwhelm and more focus; guaranteeing you have fun at the same time!

10 Practical tips to help you feel more positive and stay buoyant as you Spring into September.

1. Raise your game. My coach always said; “when the going gets tough, the tough get going” and that couldn’t be truer than right now. This is the time to put in more effort than you normally do, focusing on the activities that bring in business. Remember: Anyone can succeed when the conditions are easy, it’s the tough time that really define us.

2. Turn off the TV. The media delight in telling us how bad things are at the moment and the more we listen the more we buy into their message. If you want to stay positive then don’t listen to their messages. Turn off the news and watch a Billy Connelly DVD instead!

3. Flush the negative people. Have you ever noticed how, if you let your guard down, the grumps of this world are able to bring you down to their level? Now is not the time to spend time with the negative people that you know, seek out the positive ones, spend your time with them and let their positive vibes rub off.

4. Focus on your successes. The simplest way to get depressed is to focus on all the failures you’ve had in your life. We all have failures, challenges and bad times and the more we focus on them the more we feel negative. When we focus on our successes we feel so much better.

5. Get out of bed on the right side. Most people struggle out of bed and spend their first few moments of their day in a sleepy haze. It is time to wake up from your snooze! Zig Ziglar, one of my first ‘Motivational Teachers’ used to preach the following morning routine: Throw the bed covers off, leap out of bed and shout “IT’S GOING TO BE A GREAT DAY”. If you follow this routine I bet you won’t be able to stop smiling all morning!

6. Read some good stuff. The computer industry used to use the following to describe bad programming: GIGO: Garbage in, Garbage out. If you apply this to your brain you’ll understand why it’s so important to read uplifting articles, books and magazines if you’d like to stay positive.

7. Listen to some good stuff. I hope your car is like mine, full of motivational and inspirational CD’s. When we listen to the radio not only do we get the news every half an hour but we then have no control over what goes into our brains. Turn off the radio and control your input.

8. Attend uplifting presentations. When you hear speakers tell positive, uplifting stories doesn’t it make you feel better? Attend at least one positive, motivational event every week. Join a networking group that contains positive people, attend breakfast presentations and conferences to ensure you stay informed and positive.

9. Smile and walk tall like a Champion. Our physiology dictates our mood and if we slump, walk slowly and look at our feet all the time we’ll find it difficult to feel powerful and motivated. Next time you are taking a walk try this: Imagine that you’ve just won the lottery and you are on your way to pick up the ticket before the deadline expires. Smile and the rest of the world will wonder what you’ve been up to!

10. Take regular exercise. Everyone feels better after they’ve exercised. Go for a swim at the early morning session, park your car away from the office and walk the last few kilometres, don’t take the lift use the stairs and then go to the gym on the way home from work. Exercise is good for you and it’ll make you feel great.

Cheers Shelley Taylor-Smith
1300 78 41 70

PS: If you’re lacking self belief, self confidence and not able to take the right actions…join the Think Like A Champion Club. Take a 21-day test drive for only $1 and qualify for the monthly power call with Shelley coaching you and you can pick her brains for free.
Sign up now http://www.ThinkLikeAChampionClub.com/testdrive