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Character Traits of a Champion: Vision

If we are to be Champions, we must pick up a mantle of leadership that entails Vision. A wise man once said, "Where there is no vision, the people perish." How true that is. But what is having Vision? What is being Visionary?

It is a special person that is able to to access and hold onto something that is not yet accomplished and having the discipline, will, passion, determination, and tenacity to hold onto that vision through trial, through difficulty, through disappoint, and through ridicule. This is what gives the Champion the ability and the authority to lead others to victory.


Do you and I have this Visionary mentality?

Character Traits of a Champion: Forgiveness

Today I bring in front of us a trait that is probably one of the most difficult to do, much less master. It is a trait that goes against the very grain of human nature. A trait that holds the greatest relief to one physically, emotionally, and spiritually, but that eludes many because we just will not let go.

However, the Champion knows that Forgiveness is one of the most relieving and spirit-lifting actions that they will ever perform. Forgiveness is clearing the record of those who have wronged me and not holding a grudge. How easy it is to say, but how difficult it is to do. Yet when you release someone from the wrongs they have done to you, you find that it is you yourself that were bound and are now released.

Forgiveness is taking the debt of hurt, the weight of ridicule, the chains of bitterness, and replacing them with a clear conscience, a spirit of joy, a fullness of freedom. Champions will not allow offenses to bind them but instead will release the offender and reconcile a relationship.

Champion Example: Courage and Selflessness

Courage and Selflessness are traits of a Champion most embodied by those who serve others in the military and emergency response fields. May we follow in their steps and example they have set as we become Champions and seek to serve others.

*If you would like to give back to those who serve us, visit Operation Homefront!

Champion Decision Point: Ordinary vs. Extraordinary

Most people live ordinary lives.

However, every once in a while, just occasionally, in a field of the ordinary, you meet someone who lives beyond the average - people who dare to not just dream but actually accomplish; who buck the trend and achieve what others thought was impossible. These extraordinary people are called Champions!

Despite difficulties and challenges that would cause most to give up, these Champions, have decided to think and live outside the box of the norm. They have chosen to follow a different path. They have heard the calling of something greater than themselves.

These extraordinary people, these Champions, dare to think of the well-being and safety of others and devote themselves to this service - sometimes risking their own lives to do so. In a world of celebrities without good character, there are those hidden from the limelight, genuine diamonds, treasure, if you are prepared to take notice. Watch, learn from, and be inspired in your own life - because a Champion is made not born.

Champion Decision Point: Excellence vs. Mediocrity

I have heard it said, "Excellence always challenges Mediocrity." But what is Excellence? What is Mediocrity? Why must we choose one or the other?

Excellence comes from the Latin word ex (out of) and the word cellere (to rise). It literally means, "To rise up out of."

Mediocre come from the Latin word medias (middle) and the word ocris (jagged mountain). It literally means, "middle of the mountain."

When we decide to be a Champion and be excellent or live our lives with excellence, we are saying we want to rise up out of being in the middle of the mountain. We want to rise up from mediocrity, out of lower or average thinking and living, to rise up out of doing anything halfhearted, halfway, or just enough to get by.

Doing this is more than a decision, it takes work, vigilant awareness of one's thoughts, emotions, and goals. It takes intense, antagonizing focus on your best planning, preparation, implementation, and assessment of your goals and yourself.

You have to plan to be excellent. You have to prepare to be excellent. You have to implement steps of action to be excellent. You have to assess and make adjustments to the course to be excellent. Excellence is not something that just happens. Excellence the result of a decision, plan, preparation, implementation, and constant assessment of action.

Character Traits of a Champion: Gentleness

Often when we think of Champions we think of those who are go-getters, those who are driven, those who are out to meet a goal without distractions.  While these are all true traits, there is a balancing trait in the life of a Champion that is often not seen, but is a trait that if not used will show up in a person's spirit as arrogance, mean-spirited, and selfish.

Gentleness - Showing consideration and personal concern for others. This is not a trait we are naturally born with I can assure you! But it is a trait that is developed in the Champion's life over time and with much attention. In  his book A Man of Steel & Velvet, Aubrey Andelin writes, "Gentleness is a softness of manner and disposition. A man who is gentle is quiet and refined. He is tender and kind with people, mild and smooth in conduct. His temper is not easily provoked. There is an absence of harshness, fierceness or violence. He is not severe or tempestuous." "....Gentleness is to the steel qualities what mercy is to justice."

This is a defining trait in a Champion that must be obtained or the result of their drive will end up in pride and egotism instead of humility and service.

Character Traits of a Champion: Enthusiasm

One of most challenging traits that a Champion most demonstrate each day is that of Enthusiasm - Expressing joy in each task as I give it my best effort. It is easy to go about like in this manner when things are going your way, when you are achieving your goals with minimal effort, and when everything seemingly just falls into place.

But what about when things don't go your way, when the effort to achieve your goals is hard, and everything you try to do seems to be falling apart? This is exactly when a Champion must turn on a spirit of Enthusiasm. You will find that several things happen when you "energize" your life with Enthusiasm: 

• It will overcome your fear and give confidence and boldness in your actions.
• It will have an immediate and positive effect on those around you.
• You will take a difficult situation and turn it into a seemingly simple task.

That is the power of Enthusiasm and it is a chief resource in the arsenal of the Champion. In his book How I Raised Myself From Failure to Success in Selling, Frank Bettger says, "When you force yourself to act enthusiastic, you will soon feel enthusiastic!

Character Traits of a Champion: Security

Have you heard the phrase, "The calm before the storm?" There is a certainty in life that will always occur when we least expect it and that certainty is change. When things are going well and everything seems under control the unexpected storm blows through. The Champion's life is no different. But what is different is what the Champion has done to prepare for these events and that is what bring about Security in their lives that many search for and never achieve.

You see the Champion as structured their life around that which cannot be destroyed or taken away. The Champion always has Faith. The Champion always has Hope. The Champion always has Love. These things can never be taken from them as they were a gift to begin with. When the storms of life come, when clouds of discouragement and depression gather, when all around things seem to be going in the wrong direction, it is then that the Champion lifts their eyes above the temporal and leans on the eternal.

When we do this we will find Security. We will find that peace in the midst of the storm. We will find that the storms are opportunities and that sometimes the greatest blessings have come to us under the disguise of curses. Do you have Security in your life? If not, pursue that which cannot be destroyed or taken away and you will find it.

Character Traits of a Champion: Sincerity

Many times as a Champion serves those around them their motivation for doing so is questioned. It is not common in the day in which we live to do for others without regard for personal reward or recognition. Champions, however, are different.

Champions go forth with a heart of Sincerity - Eagerly doing what is right with transparent motives. There is no pretense, there is no "I'll scratch your back if you will scratch mine" motivation. A Champion will step up to the plate time after time after time after time because it is innate in their very being to do so. Their motivation is greater than the praise of men. Their integrity forges a path for them to do what is right every single time without hesitation, without acclamation, without recognition of what they have done.