“Action must be taken at once; there is no time to be lost.” – Miguel Hidalgo

Distractions are everywhere; we all deal with them. But what separates a good athlete from a great one is the ability to tune out the distractions and focus on the game. Distraction control is a critical mental skill that takes practice, but the more you do it the easier it becomes. As this week’s quote states, “Action must be taken at once; there is no time to be lost.” In other words, you don’t have time to devote energy to all of the distracting thoughts swirling around in your head. In order to perform to the best of your athletic ability, you need to focus and control your thoughts.

In football and in life, doors open and close in seconds, and you have to be ready to go through them. The outcome of a game often comes down to seconds left on the clock. If you see an opportunity on the field, you need to act immediately. There is absolutely no room for other thoughts. You have one chance to make that tackle, complete the pass or get a first down. Don’t let those opportunities slip by because you’re upset about the last play. Prepare yourself for the inevitable distractions you will face at each game by practicing to expect the unexpected. Mizzou football gains this mental edge through its whistle to snap philosophy.

These distractions are a mental game. You have the power to ignore them by committing yourself to remain positive and focused. If you react negatively to a situation, whether it’s a schedule change, game delay or difference in facilities at an away game, you lower your own resistance because negative thoughts take a lot of energy. On the other hand, if you practice remaining positive, you can bounce back from negative distractions and let them go. Above all, remember that it is up to you. Only you have the power to overcome distractions and focus on the game.

About the quote:

Miguel Hildago was a Catholic priest and a heroic leader during the Mexican War of Independence. He roused Mexicans to fight for independence against the Spanish with his speeches including the famous “Cry of Dolores.”

“Each person’s work is always a portrait of himself.” – Samuel Butler

Champions. From Queen’s “We are the Champions” to the Wheaties Breakfast of Champions tagline, our culture constantly finds ways to celebrate them. After all, doesn’t everyone want to be a champion? As this week’s Make A Difference quote states, actions are a reflection of our characters. In other words, if you want to be called a champion, you have to act like one.

Do you have what it takes to be a true champion? Here are nine key characteristics of a champion. See if you measure up! If you are a champion you are:

1. Ambitious – Your dreams are big, and your goals are high. You value success, and do not accept failure.
2. Coachable – You realize that your coach has your best interest in mind. You listen to, learn from, and take advice from your coach. You are easy to approach and take constructive criticism well.
3. Aggressive – You are naturally competitive and have an insatiable hunger for a win. You assert yourself undeniably in order to get that win.
4. Leader – You set a positive example for others, allowing your teammates and peers look up to you. You respect others, and they respect you. Your teammates look to you for advice.
5. Initiator – You take the lead, even under pressure. If you see something wrong, you step up to the plate and fix it.
6. Hard-worker – You are the first to show up to practice and the last to leave. You are a self-starter who never skips a day of work.
7. Fit – You are physically tough. Your body is in excellent condition from all the workouts, practices and training sessions. You train constantly to keep improving your own body.
8. Strong – You have a never-give-up attitude and never make excuses. You don’t let your feelings get the best of you on the field. You ignore heat, cold, pain and other obstacles and focus on your goals instead.
9. Enduring – You see things through until the end. You are a reliable presence to teammates and coaches. You do your best when faced with tough competition. Your can-do attitude remains consistent year-round.

The good news is, all of these traits can be learned, practiced and honed. A true champion is constantly striving towards self-improvement.

About the Quote:

Samuel Butler was a 19^th century English novelist most famous for his books, Erewhon and The Way of All Flesh. He is also known for his prose translations of The Iliad and The Odyssey, which are still used today.