It’s yers for the takin’ – so get takin’!

As I made my way back to Mark’s place the following week, my mind was set on gettin’ the most of my time in the saddle. I was focused on conquering the metal beast, as I kept telling myself failure is NOT an option.

I hopped outta my truck and wandered into the weathered barn. There sat Mark chewing on a thick strand of hay. He stared at the metal beast with a gaze of love and respect and slowly turned to me, as I sat and swiped a strand o' my own. Before the thick golden stalk of hay hit my lips, Mark started firing last week’s questions: Who’s your mentor? Who ya runnin’ with now? Whose guidance and advice are ya taken today? Are ya still playin’ the same game ya were last week and all the week’s before or are ya finally REALLY set on being a champion?

He caught me off guard. What game were we playin’ now? What about tying down? What about maintaining focus? What about the wild metal beast set before us? Where was Mark headed with all this crazy cowboy couch therapy? I didn’t haul out here to talk – I was here to ride. As Mark’s stare began to burn a hole through my bewilderment, I began to fire back answers in retaliation. He shot down the names and reasons with speed and precision. Each answer imploded midair, like a clay pigeons on a shootin’ range, I was easy game. I was quickly out of ammunition and Mark’s barrels still full when he turned his gaze back to the headless bull and began to share his cowboy wisdom.

“Here’s the deal cowboy,” he said firmly. “A champion rides with his mind and his heart. Ya gotta protect ‘em and care for ‘em like they’re yer most valuable possession – cause without them yer nothin’ more than all the rest. A real champion guards his mind and heart keepin’ a close eye on everything that touches and feeds into it.” Mark went on to share the TWO CARDINAL RULES OF CHAMPIONS:

Rule One: Only take advice from someone who’s “been there and done that” – and done it a big way.

Finding a champion can be like findin’ a needle in a haystack. There’s always an abundance of bleacher busters – self proclaimed experts with no on the job training – ready to sell you snake oil. And plenty of friends and family happy to give ya hay loads of advice. Find a real champion with the track record and credentials needed to groom ya. For me, a champion belt buckle got me half way. The other half was my respect for Mark. He walked the walk and talked the talk. He accepted NOTHIN’ short of the very best. He was rough on me and spent hours chipping away at my ole bad habits. He was the real deal. Be sure you settle for nothin’ less than the real deal. Yer worth it and so is yer future.

Rule Two: Hang out with champions and champions in training.

In short, like breeds like. When you hang with mediocre ya get mediocre. To be frank, mediocre makes it easy for you to cop out. Champions don’t make excuses. They accept they’ll fail here and again – and that’s okay. They take it in stride and make NO EXCUSES. They pick themselves up without hesitation. It’s right back on the bull for the next ride – no easy outs. Real champions don’t worry about what people say unless that person is a champion. Why? Cuz’ champions challenge you to be yer very best. They never say things to drag ya down or make ya play small. They say things to encourage ya. They ALWAYS challenge ya play big and hang around to see ya through - rain or shine.  

When I took these two rules to heart and began travelling in the circles of champions, I never missed the naysayers. I found a new source of passion and energy. It was like a light switched on and new doors began to open. I saw bigger and better opportunities. This new circle of friends brought me new perspective – an open mind with greener pastures. My life has never been the same and each day is better and richer than the last.

Ready to be a champion? Get busy now! Adopt the 2 Cardinal Rules of Champions. Don’t make ‘em a process. Make ‘em immediate. Connect to Champions and Champions in training. Eliminate the naysayers in yer life. Once you make the pivotal decision to be a Champion and commit, in training or not, you are a champion! So, step up yer’ game and start to mentor others. Be the guy everyone wants to follow. Be your own biggest asset. Create value for yourself and your team of Champions all day every day. Be a source of passion and energy and the “light switch” for others. Quickly plow your fields to weed out the naysayers. Plant and nurture a crop of champions. And, harvest a bounty of friendships, support and financial rewards for a lifetime. It’s yers for the takin’ so get takin!

Happy Trails,

Brad