Establishing a Champion's Mindset

It has become a "must-watch" event for NFL fans worldwide during the off-season.

Former college players dressed in T-shirts and shorts run the forties, vertical jump, broad jump and perform other assorted drills to showcase their athletic prowess. And when a player does something impressive, like run a fast 40 or jump like Superman, the results go viral — and the player's value rises in the draft.

Though the drills don't necessarily have anything to do with the game of football, the results are powerful.

What cannot be tested or evaluated during the players' time at the NFL Draft Combine is their heart and their champions' mindset, something Dr. Jim Afremow has spent a lifetime studying and teaching.

Afremow has written an incredible book on how we as athletes, leaders, teachers and parents can develop a "Champion's Mindset," emphasizing that before we can perform like a champion, we must remove self-doubt and think like one.

For Afremow being the best centers on your mindset before any work occurs. Preparing your mind to be the best starts with B.E.S.T.

B. Belief. When you believe you can become a champion, your training is champion-like. What Afremow suggests to the athletes he trains is to believe they finished second in the last event--fuel the belief with needing to raise your level ever so slightly.

E. Enjoyment. When Jesse Owens won four gold medals in Nazi Germany at the 1936 Olympics, he focused on the joy around him, not the hate. He said find the good, it's all around. We gain more enjoyment when we enjoy the process and look forward to working. Embrace the work. Love it, and with enjoyment comes progress.

S. Self Talk. We hate having ants in our homes — and we should never have ants on our minds. ANTS (Automatic Negative Thoughts) create doubt, they create uncertainty and the quicker we remove them, the better we prepare.

T. Toughness. For Afremow, being mentally tough is critical to having the mindset of a champion. And being mentally tough means moving on from a mistake while remaining positive and proactive.

Having great athletic talent is a wonderful skill, but without a champion's mindset, it can never reach its full potential.

A player with a fast forty is great.

A player with a champion's mindset is better.