Do you consider yourself a good competitor? There are many examples and opinions of what a great competitor is and does. Being a great competitor is an art. It is a learned skill. Learning to compete is a great skill that can take you through down or tough times. You won't always play well or win but can ALWAYS BE A GREAT COMPETITOR.

In the Oscar winning movie "Gladiator" Russell Crowe portrayed the life of a high ranking Roman general who was reduced to a slave by a new and corrupt emperor of Rome. He experienced incredible hardships and challenges in his life yet demonstrated a number of characteristics that I believe to be signs of a great competitor. I've identified some of them here for your review. Read them over and see if there are any on this list that you could begin building into your own game. If so, write them on a 3 x 5 card and take it on the court with you as a reminder of the state of mind and feeling you want to reproduce.

8 Great Competitive Traits:

• Strength of character and conviction-an honorable person dedicated and committed to your plan and path
• Passion-giving fully of your emotion and motivation to the game.
• Integrity-unwavering ability to do what is right and necessary regardless of what is seen as right or acceptable by others. True to yourself
• Patience-regardless of the situation: being patient enough to work through it
• Vulnerability-unafraid to feel and express a range of emotion
• Present Moment Focus-Not resisting what's happening: the ability to accept current circumstances and remain focused on the "now"
• Trust/Faith-believing in yourself and the "bigger picture" enough to give fully here and now.
• Fearlessness-acknowledging the possibility of defeat, neither expecting nor fearing it (in other words…PLAY FULL OUT!)

These are all qualities that can help you release the great competitor in you. How do you feel when you read them? If any of them move you…take that feeling onto the court with you and notice the changes it can make in your physical and emotional presence!

--------------------

David Breslow-- Performance Success Strategies 847.681.1698 urwiredtowin@aol.com David offers a unique "root cause" approach that teaches athletes to create new outcomes rather than coping with old ineffective patterns. He's worked with athletes locally, nationally and internationally using his Wired To Win program that players can take part no mater where they live or play. He also offers an on-line assessment in that measures your strengths and development areas in 10 key and critical performance traits. Contact David for more information .