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.

Character Traits of a Champion: Meekness

If you had to describe a Champion there is one trait that probably would not come immediately to mind, yet it embodies the true spirit of the Champion. This trait is Meekness. Often when we think of meekness we think of a rhyming word of weakness. Nothing could be further from the truth.

Meekness has the idea of yielding my expectations in order to benefit others. It means taking what we know we can do and achieve and laying that aside for the benefit of others - including those we might consider enemies. That is a hard pill to swallow, isn't it? But remember the Champion is one that promotes idea and goals that are not self-promoting or self-serving, but are dedicated to the service of others in a spirit of humility.

Meekness is a strength or power that is under complete control. A man or woman that controls their spirit is greater than any conquering army.

Character Traits of a Champion: Compassion

I, me, my, mine - isn't this the mindset we see the most today? It is all about what I need, what I want, what will benefit me the most. This mindset is in direct conflict with the Champion.  A Champion's motivation does not come from self-centeredness or motivation for personal gain. Why? Because the Champion has a heart of Compassion.

Compassion has the idea of investing whatever is necessary to heal the hurts of others. Isn't that a foreign concept in today's world! The Champion gives sacrificially of their time, personal resources, and even their own physical well-being to reach out to other's without motivation of personal reward, acclimation, or gratification.

When we hear of natural disasters and see the outpouring of aid to that area, we think of those folks being compassionate toward those in need. But how many would be a part of giving that aid if the camera's were not rolling? How many would give if they were not on the front-page of the local paper? The true Champion with a heart of Compassion will invest in the lives of those hurting even when the cameras stop rolling, when they are not making headlines, and when everyone else has moved on to more "fulfilling" opportunities.

Have you met any Champions with a heart of Compassion? Are you seeking to have a heart of Compassion? Will you be a Champion?

Character Traits of a Champion: Availability

Have you ever asked for someone's help or invited someone to a function and had the response of, "I'm too busy...?" How did that make you feel?  Did you feel like you were imposing on them? Did you feel that they thought what they were doing or plans that they had were more important than you were? On the other side of that coin, how many times have you been the one to say, "I'm too busy?"

Remember that the Champion is one that has put self aside to serve the cause of others. In the midst of the business of life they decide to make themselves Available to serve and meet the needs of others or the cause for which they rally around. Being Available means making my schedule and priorities secondary to the wishes of those I serve. When we make ourselves available to meet the needs of others it is showing to them that we value their thoughts, ideas, and objectives and are willing to champion their cause. One of the wisest men who ever lived once said, "He that will be the greatest among you, must be the servant of all."

Have you made yourself Available today?

Character Traits of a Champion: Alertness

Being aware of what is taking place around me so I can have the right responses. How many times do we go about life without being aware of what is taking place around us and then we get frustrated when we realize we could have had a positive impact on something or someone and we missed that opportunity?

The Champion is ever vigilant to be alert. Alertness is paramount to their very being. They have conditioned and trained themselves to always be cognizant of their surroundings so they are not caught by surprise and can have a positive impact and response to the situations in which they find themselves. As we strive to be Champions we will be encouraged by and be an encouragement to others when we have the ability to say, "I was able to..." instead of "I wish I could have..."

Are you practicing Alertness? Are you focused only on yourself and your own needs or do you look to positively impact those around you with your words and actions?

Champion Example: The Story of the Star Spangled Banner

This weekend we as Americans are celebrating the birthday of our great Nation. Our nation was born out of a desire for life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness without the oppression of dictatorship. This cause was championed by many and many have literally shed their own blood for this great cause.

The banner of liberty, Old Glory, has always been a symbol of freedom and justice. But have you ever heard the story about the National Anthem? As you watch the below from David Barton with Wallbuilders (@DavidBartonWB), don't forget that the price of liberty is high and is not free. The men and women who have fought and died for us are the embodiment of Champions and may we never forget their sacrifices for us.

Below you will find a great way to support our current Champions through Operation Homefront (@Op_Homefront).  For every purchase of Pink Lemonade Spark purchased in the month of June, $1 will be donated to help our armed service men and women. What a great way to say thank you for their service and sacrifice!

Support Operation Homefront!