The Power Of The Underdog
by Stanley Bronstein on January 19, 2009
Never, Ever, Ever Underestimate An Underdog
People Underestimate Their Capacity For Change. There Is Never A Right Time To Do A Difficult Thing. A Leader’s Job Is To Help People Have Vision Of Their Potential. (John Porter)
Some Definitions
Underestimate – To undervalue. To estimate at too low a value. To assign too low a value to something.
Capacity – The ability to receive or contain. Actual or potential ability to perform, yield or withstand.
Change – To transform or convert. To make the form, nature, content, future course, etc. of something different from what it is or from what it would be if left alone.
Never – Not ever. At no time. Not at all.
Right Time – A time that is good, proper or just. The fitting or appropriate time.
Difficult – Not easily or readily done. Requiring much labor, skill, or planning to be performed successfully. Hard.
Leader – A person who serves as a guiding or directing hand.
Vision – The act or power of anticipating that which will or may come to be.
Potential – Possible, as opposed to actual. What someone or something is capable of being or becoming. An expression of possibility.
I Witnessed A Thing Of Beauty On Sunday
Yesterday, Sunday, January 18, 2009, I witnessed a thing of beauty . . .
One of the ultimate underdogs in the National Football League (and perhaps their greatest underdog of all time) did what was almost unthinkable.
They won a Championship !!! However, please bear in mind this is just 1/2 of the American Football championship. They must now go on to the Super Bowl in 2 weeks and they have to win again if they want to win the ENTIRE show.
Here’s the beautiful part. Arizona has not won a championship since 1947. Before that, they’ve only played in 2 or 3 playoff games over the year.
Quite simply, they were the perennial losers.
Not this year. 2009 is the year of the Underdog.
So, How Have They Done It So Far?
They’ve done it so far through leadership. Both on the management / coaching level and on the player level.
People are stepping up and they are “demanding” that everyone around them achieve their potential.
When everyone achieves their potential at once, that’s how you create a champion.
A Year Ago
A year ago I sent a copy of my books to the entire coaching staff of the Arizona Cardinals. I don’t know if they read them or not, but I’m sure starting to think somebody did.
Just Watch The Super Bowl
Once again, everyone is already listing the Arizona Cardinals as the underdog for the Super Bowl. They’re not getting the respect they deserve.
That’s just fine, because Arizona likes to be underestimated . . . Over the next 2 weeks, I predict they will be underestimated as the way to a Super Bowl Championship.
Can I guaranty a championship? No. But, I know they like being underdogs and I believe they believe in themselves.
That’s all it takes. Whatever you believe you can achieve, you can achieve . . .
It really is that simple . . .
What Do You Think?
I want to know what you think. Please share your thoughts below.
Some Recommended Reading
Laws of Positioning #6 – Position Yourself To Be A Believer
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Until next time, take care.
Stanley F. BronsteinHave you checked out my website that profiles the benefits of walking? iWarriorWalk.com
January 22nd, 2009 at 7:03 am
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