The Psychology of Winning

Denis Waitley

The 10 Qualities of a Total Winner

Quality 1:  Positive Self-Expectancy 

"Life is a self fulfilling prophecy. True winners go into every event expecting to win."

This quality means always having the thought that you can do it in your head. Whenever you are presenting a project or you're at a job interview, always keep in mind that you are going to do good no matter what. Don't start a race without the motivation to finish it. Keeping that in mind will boost your confidence up more and you won't be afraid to accomplish anything. If at first you don't succeed, then try again because the third time's the charm. If you tell yourself that you are going to win and you know you can do it, then nothing will hold you back. You winning will become a habit and you will want nothing but to win at life

Quality 2: Positive Self-Motivation 

"True winners dig deep and find motivation inside themselves to get through that tough task or to learn a new skill."

To have motivation you believe in yourself no matter what. You tell yourself you can do it even though a lot of people are telling you you can't. When it comes to completing an assignment or doing an interview for a job, you need to have self- motivation so you know that you can do it. You walk in the place or present something with the confidence you have within yourself. For example, when we had to do the IDPs for 9-11th grade, we were determined to get the motivation to pass it with a good grade. If they seen we didn't look confident in what we were saying, they would tell us it's going to be fine. We just needed to keep the thought that we can do it if we just believe.

Quality 3: Positive Self-Image

True winners are confident and view themselves as competent, valuable human beings.

Positive self image is loving yourself the way you are. You shouldn't judge yourself by what everyone else is telling you. If people are telling you many negative things but you know it's not true, then why believe what they are telling you. If you know that you are smart, beautiful, successful etc, then you are. Don't let their words affect you because then you are going to believe what they are telling you is true. What's more important is the way you see yourself not the way other people see you. Don't let them put a name on you. You know the name you belong to and you know what you are in life. I've grown to realize that I don't need people's negative sayings. If I know I am something then I believe in myself.  I won't let their words bring me down and make me feel insecure of my body because they aren't happy with themselves. I will use that as motivation to bring my self-esteem more up and build the extra confidence in my life

Quality 4: Positive Self-Direction

You gotta have direction if you are going to go anywhere. True winners know where they are going. Their sense of direction comes from the self and not from outside influences like parents or friends.

Self direction is the key to mastery. You need directions to wherever you are going in life. You can't be like a boat without its rudder because then you have no destination. You are going where the wind takes you whether it's good or bad. You need to have a path or an idea of where you will be walking down. You can either be going down the right path or the wrong path. The only one that is able to choose id you. You know where you want to go and only your feet can take you there. If you follow your dreams and keep your head high, then you will be able to get anywhere in life. You first have to start off by believing in yourself every step of the way. Once you build that confidence you need, you can accomplish anything you want. Don't worry if you start on the wrong path. Throughout the time you can always fix yourself to get on the right path.

Quality 5: 

Total winners can sacrifice immediate pleasure for a gain in the future. Delayed gratification is of immense value in reaching your goals.

Self control is being able to say no in any tough situation. You do what is right no matter how in trouble you might get. Then again if you weren't doing anything bad, you wouldn't need to get in trouble. Well, anyways everyone needs self control. This is something that keeps you calm in tempting situations.
 Quality 6: Positive Self-Discipline

You have to discipline yourself or else someone else will discipline you into doing what they want you to do. Total winners have the power to discipline and take control of their lives.

Self discipline is the ability to pursue what one thinks is right despite temptations to abandon it. Don't let anyone pressure you into doing something you don't want to do. If you tell them no and they don't respect that answer then you shouldn't be there with them. Follow your dreams and everything that makes you happy. Keep in mind that you control your life and you make the decisions to what you want to do. Your family isn't going to be there to make the decisions for you. They're not going to tell you what's right from wrong because that's something that you need to know already. Take control of your own life. You make decisions for yourself. You go out and do what makes you happy. In the end what matters most is that your doing what ultimately makes you happy

Quality 7: Positive Self-Esteem

Your mood and outlook on life affect the way you see the world and how you interact in it. Total winners are positive, powerful people who make people feel good and provide a good vibe to those around him/her.

Self-Esteem is being able to tell yourself that you can do it. You are able to keep your head high even in difficult situations. You don't let one bad grade or one's negative comments get to you because you know you are better than that. You believe in yourself every step of the way with little to no doubt in your mind. If something doesn't end up the way you want it, don't give up. You giving up is lowering your self esteem and for you to go and accomplish more things. You are going to keep think you're a failure. In reality, no one is a failure. Yeah you don't succeed at some things but that doesn't make you a failure. You try your best and try again. Your self-esteem can be used anywhere you go. In school, your job, family etc. 

Quality 8: Positive Self-Dimension

Total winners like in the present. They know that now is all there is. They don’t get caught up in the past or worry about the future. They simply handle the business that they can handle which is the stuff going on today, now.

To have self dimension, you are looking beyond yourself for meaning in life. At the same time you don't worry about what's going to happen in the future or worry about how your past went. You simply focus on what is going on in the moment. If you focus too much on the future, you're not going to have the life you wanted as a teenager. Your future forms when everything is going good in the present. If you stay focused on what to accomplish for later on, then your dreams will come true. Being focused too much on the past and/or future, will get you distracted from what actually is going to happen in the present.

Quality 9: Positive Self-Awareness
Total winners are aware of their power. They understand that they can be anything with enough effort and determination.

Self Awareness is having a clear perception of your personality, including strengths, weaknesses, thoughts, beliefs, motivation, and emotions. Self Awareness allows you to understand other people, how they perceive you, your attitude and your responses to them in the moment.

Quality 10: Positive Action

Total winners take positive action in their business and with their friends and family. They are uplifting and motivating individuals who inspire the best from themselves and other

Positive Action is a systematic educational program that promotes an intrinsic interest in learning and encourages cooperation among students. It works by teaching and reinforcing the intuitive philosophy that you feel good about yourself when you do positive actions. The effects of the program range from increased academic achievement to dramatic reductions in problem behaviors. These results have been replicated in diverse settings and feature the most rigorous efficacy study designs available.