“What could and should I be absolutely sure of?” Isn’t that a great question? I talk a lot about momentum and self-confidence…getting on a hot streak. Because if you think you can do something, you often miraculously gain some otherworldly ability to do it…even if you’ve never done it before. And if you fall in your attempt, if you believe that the slip was nothing more than a delay rather than a denial, then you will get up and move on. Sometimes, if the flame grows high enough, even the most casual observer can notice a change in someone from a lack of faith to a passion for success.

If you’re not a sports fan, read the rest of this article and ignore the sports references. It’s actually a discussion on our topic… BELIEF! Years ago I watched an NBA playoff game between the Milwaukee Bucks and the Philadelphia 76ers. The Bucks are up 16 points! It seemed like a blowout… But the 76ers never lost faith. Their leading scorer, Allen Iverson, was possibly having the worst scoring night of his life, but he was an animal on defense.

Their coach at the time, Larry Brown, was imploring them to believe. Of course he talked about X and O. I mean, they had to put on plays. But he was jumping up and down the court. Begging his team to keep up the pressure, to corner every loose ball, to make every pass as important as if it were the last of the game.

Nothing but emotion. She knew they could do it…as long as they didn’t lose faith. He knew they were just as good as the other team. He didn’t have to explain the basics of basketball. He knew his only job was to keep his head in the game. So, did he pounce on them when they made bad passes? No. He said, “Come on. That’s not like you. You can do this!”

They responded. They began to believe. By the 4th quarter they had tied it 63-63. The crowd was going crazy. impulse. It is nothing but emotion. When things are going well, they tend to stay that way, right? But when things go wrong, the same rule applies, huh?

What was interesting about the game was that while excitement was raging for the 76ers, the Bucks were suddenly skeptical … missing shots, making bad passes, and worst of all, committing stupid fouls out of anger. His first half smiles turned into angry frowns. It was an incredible thing to see. They had completely lost their faith in themselves. It was an amazing display of momentum shifting and a great example of how powerful the force is in life. Philadelphia responded to all those fouls the Bucks were committing to make 22 free throws in a row … and won 89-88.

A great lesson here is that you can have a lot of things going wrong and still get your result… if you don’t give up. If the Bucks had made just one more pass, or just one more basket, or had just one less stupid foul out of frustration, they would have won.

When I was selling face-to-face every day, it was often at the last second, when I’d emptied my mind and given my prospect EVERY reason I could think of why they should get my solution that I’d finally say, “Well, it’s okay.” ok I’m sure you think you can help me, so I will. It was at that time in my life that I learned that I must never give up. Never ever ever.

If only you could take today… And make yourself believe in your ability to do whatever it is you’re doing a little faster, a little better, and with a little more enthusiasm, the momentum will shift in your favor. Watch it work. Soon YOU will go from the scoop to the winning smile.

Success and happiness always start between your own ears. Dont wait. Start right now and flash that smile, and keep thinking all day, I can. I can. I can. Hourly. “I can.” Eating the lunch. “I can.” Before picking up the phone. “I can.” … And you will.

WINNING BELIEFS:

— I believe in myself, and it shows

— My confidence is growing today

— I have dissolved the habit of ever giving up

— My determination to win is strong now

EMPOWERING QUOTE:
“Doubts are crueler than the worst of truths.” -Moliere