Mean What you Say
It has been stated a hundred different ways; what you confess you possess, your thoughts become actions, what you think about you bring about, but no matter what clever spin you put on it, the simple truth is your mind and mouth have a tremendous impact on what action you take. You are most likely to do exactly what you think about most and what you say you're going to. It's part science, part psychology and all up to you.
Whether you like him or not, respect his ring generalship or despise his arrogance, think he's a marketing genius or genuine punk, make no mistake about it...Floyd Mayweather applies some of the best psychological warfare in boxing (or any other sport for that matter). Either instinctively or well-calculated, Floyd has found the perfect formula for tapping into his own psyche and has transformed it into a boxing dynasty. So, for one article, put your emotions aside and, love him or hate him, learn something from the five-time world champion.
With the birth of HBOs ground-breaking behind-the-scenes series, 24/7 and Floyd's own flamboyant personae, boxing fans are getting a look at one of athletics secret weapons like never before. Other fighters have done this. It’s not new and may not be as secret as it is just underutilized and misunderstood. Simply put, It is the power of talking the talk and walking the walk.
KNOWING WHAT YOU WANT
KNOWING WHAT IT TAKES TO ACHIEVE IT and then
PRACTICING WHAT YOU PREACH
What Floyd Mayweather does…the power of saying and doing…is as easy as one, two, and three:
1. Know what you want. Floyd makes his desires abundantly clear, through his words, actions and even right down to is ring name, "MONEY". Decide early on what your ultimate goal is. It will be your fuel when you're tired, your will to fight on when you are getting pounded and it will be that one thing that will drive you on to do what others can't or won't. Dig deep and do some soul searching to really tap into what your “emotional driver” is. It may go deeper than just wanting "things" and almost always does when you look deep enough. For example, you may say "I want a new car." When what you really want, if you get to the heart of it, are the feelings that a new car brings. It isn't just the leather seats, the chrome bumpers and that new car smell that you hunger. It's actually the attention the girls give you, the feelings of self-worth and sense of accomplishment that comes with it. Sure, the idea a new car is cool, but it's really the feelings it brings that will motivate you to go that extra mile. Floyd talks about money, flaunts his money and is eager to show what his riches have bought him, but if you listen to him close enough, what does he talk about at the end of the day? He talks about providing a lifestyle and level of security for his kids, for his family. He places his goal in the form of a tangible "something," but the root of what pushes him has much more substance. Don't let his over-the-top personae fool you. There's a method to his madness and it works! Whether Floyd is actually applying science to his approach is questionable, but intuitively he knows what stokes his coals. The fact is, money actually acts like a drug. It lights up the brains reward centers just like a drug does and physically changes the way you think. A study conducted in 2006 found that people reminded of a monetary reward, worked 70 percent longer than their counterparts did, who were only offered "general compensation". The study went on to conclude that the visualization of money also aided in boosting the participants self-confidence and provided a level of protection from the pain of rejection. Money may not be your external motivator, but Floyd Mayweather is onto something that works for him and it makes scientific sense why. The bottom line is, know what you really want, tangible or not, and you're more likely to endure what it takes to succeed where others do not.
2. Know what it's going to take to get what you want (and be realistic about it). You can't spend two days a week at the gym and want to be world champion. That ain't happening! How many times have you seen Floyd Mayweather in the gym training, on TV or in person, leading his team in the mantra "Hard work. Dedication."? He says it, they say it, over and over and over. He burns that mantra into his brain and creates the neural pathways that he’s going to travel through every time he steps into the gym or hits the road running. Hard work. Dedication. Forget the specific actions, how many rounds, how much sparring, when and what takes place. They all require the same thing. Hard work. Dedication. Floyd knows what being the best requires, constantly tells himself that and realizes it's the only way he'll get what he wants. Then, he speaks it into reality, time and time again. Hard work. Dedication.
3. Finally, the most important step of all...you have to practice what you preach. Floyd's work ethic is unquestionable. He's an extremely gifted fighter, but he backs that up with pure hard work and tieless devotion to his sport. People have some strong opinions and say many things about Floyd Mayweather the person, but have you ever heard anyone say that he is a lazy fighter or that he cuts corners in the gym? He absolutely doesn't, if for no other reason, he knows he's done a lot of talking that he has to back-up with action and that won't happen with less than all he's got to give. So, no matter how bold of a prediction you make or simple statement you make about what you're going to do, don't say it if you're not willing to do it. And if you are, then go all out and put in 100% effort, 100% of the time. Forget 110%. That's a stupid, overused cliché. There is no magic, extra 10%, but by doing ALL that you're capable of, ALL of the time, what your 100% effort is will grow and so will what you're then capable of.
The steps to success are not easy to climb, but they are simple. By knowing what you want, what it will take to get there and being willing to endure whatever stands in your way, you can reach the pinnacle. Once those decisions are made, the events and how they materialize are secondary. Whether you want more "stuff", the respect of others or just a sense of accomplishment, be willing to put your money where your mouth is.
Doug Ward is the President and Trainer for the Underground Boxing Company.