Did you have an opportunity to watch the gold medal men’s hockey game on Saturday?  This game had the underdog, Germany, playing the overwhelming favourite, Olympic Athletes from Russia (OAR).   Prior to the game, the discussions focused on the amazing feat of the German team to knock out strong medal contenders to get to the gold-medal game.  In fact, the German team didn’t qualify for the Sochi games in 2014 and have not won a medal in men’s hockey since 1976. How would the Germans would perform against the stronger and more experienced OAR team? Would it be a one-sided game?

Well, the game was definitely not one-sided and it was probably one of the best gold medal games since the Canada vs USA game in Vancouver 2010.   The game went into overtime and OAR came out the winner of the gold medal.  The Germans won the Silver medal.  A pretty successful outcome.

If we look at how a definite underdog could dig deep and be a strong contender we can identify one key trait — the Germans believed they could win.   In fact, one team member started a group chat in the Fall of 2017 and called it “the march to gold”.   They say they began to believe they could really be contenders.

Positive Mindset

When we talk about a positive mindset, what do we mean?

Positive thinking is the process of creating thoughts that create and transform energy into reality.

It is amazing how our mind can be the catalyst to inject energy and focus to our efforts.  A positive mindset offers each of us so many benefits

• more energy to pursue our goals
• better decision making ability
• improved resiliency to the ups and downs
• a strong and positive belief that things can become true – this is reflected in innovation and sales.

Be a game changer.  The world has enough followers.

Steps You Can Take to Get More of What You Want

One thing we all face in business is the recurring pattern of ups and downs.  Everyone faces them.  In fact, some of the most successful business leaders have faced some catastrophic downs yet they turned their fortunes around.

How can you create a positive mindset if you’re feeling like a failure or are frustrated with the constant ups and downs we can face in business?

1.  Create a vision board.  The visual images you assemble on your vision board make those ideas, dreams and goals in your mind more concrete and achievable.  The purpose is to know exactly what success looks like to you.
   1. Close your eyes and see what it is you want to achieve, how you want to live, or how you want to feel.
   2. Grab a corkboard.
   3. Now, convert those images in your mind into pictures, sayings, or words you can place on your vision board.
   4. Hang the completed vision board where you will see it several times a day.
   5. Everyday, look at your vision board and focus on what actions you must take today to make these images a reality.  Your vision board is a visual representation of your goals and you are reminded about your goals every day.
2.  Create a vocabulary of positive statements and responses that will help you reprogram your brain.   For example, when someone asks how you are, respond with “I’m great”, “I’m well” rather than “Hanging in there” or “I’ve been better”.   When facing a challenge, tell yourself “I can do this” instead of “It’s impossible”.
3.  Start each day with a positive affirmation.   An affirmation is a statement that helps you rewire your brain and reset the vibe you will feel all day.
   1. Stand in front of a mirror (yes, this is important), look at yourself and say something positive.  Use the present tense about what it is you want to have happen.  Examples include ‘Today will be a great day”, “I am confident as I take new steps to push outside my comfort zone” etc.
   2.  Download our deck of positive affirmations that you can draw upon to help you reprogram your thinking.   Add some of your own too!

Successful people maintain a positive focus in life no matter what is going on around them. They stay focused on their past successes rather than their past failures, and on the next action steps they need to take to get them closer to the fulfillment of their goals rather than all the other distractions that life presents to them.                Jack Canfield