The Psychology of Winning

Denis Waitley

The 10 Qualities of a Total Winner

Quality 1:  Positive Self-Expectancy 

"Life is a self fulfilling prophecy. True winners go into every event expecting to win."

Self efficacy theory maintains that self efficacy expectancy, a belief about one's ability to successfully perform a behavior, is independent of outcome expectancy, a belief about the likelihood of the behavior leading to a specific outcome.

Quality 2: Positive Self-Motivation 

"True winners dig deep and find motivation inside themselves to get through that tough task or to learn a new skill."

Ability to do what needs to be done, without influence from other people or situations. People with self motivation can find a reason and strength to complete a task, even when challenging, without giving up or needing another to encourage them.

Quality 3: Positive Self-Image

"True winners are confident and view themselves as competent, valuable human beings."

Self image is how you perceive yourself. Conversely, others who have had a very difficult life and multiple hardships may also have a very positive self image. Some believe that a person's self image is defined by events that affect him or her. For example: doing well or not in school, work, or relationships.

Quality 4: Positive Self-Direction

You gotta have direction if you are going to go anywhere. True winners know where they are going. Their sense of direction comes from the self and not from outside influences like parents or friends.

With self direction, you choose your services, the staff and organizations that provide them, and a schedule that works best for you. Each person is unique. Self direction empowers people to design supports based on their unique strengths and needs. It gives you more control over the funding used to buy your services.

Quality 5: Positive Self-Control

Total winners can sacrifice immediate pleasure for a gain in the future. Delayed gratification is of immense value in reaching your goals.

Self control, an aspect of inhibitory control, is the ability to regulate one's emotions, thoughts, and behavior in the face of temptations and impulses. A related concept in psychology is emotional self regulation. Self control is like a muscle.

Quality 6: Positive Self-Discipline

You have to discipline yourself or else someone else will discipline you into doing what they want you to do. Total winners have the power to discipline and take control of their lives.

Self discipline the ability to control one's feelings and overcome one's weaknesses the ability to pursue what one thinks is right despite temptations to abandon it.Self discipline is a pattern of behavior where you choose to do what you know you should do, rather than what you want to do. It's the inner power that pushes you to get out of bed to exercise rather than sleeping in. It is the assertion of willpower over more basic desires and is synonymous with self control.

Quality 7: Positive Self-Esteem

Your mood and outlook on life affect the way you see the world and how you interact in it. Total winners are positive, powerful people who make people feel good and provide a good vibe to those around him/her.

Self esteem is like that, except it is yourself that you love, care for and feel proud of. When children believe they are valuable and important, they take good care of themselves. They make good decisions about themselves which enhance their value rather than break it down. High vs. Low Self esteem. The benefits of a healthy self-esteem are many. Children who have high self-esteem come to value themselves and think of themselves as worthy partners and capable problem solvers. They develop a healthy balance of liking who they are, but also recognizing that there are ways they can continue to grow and to develop.

Quality 8: Positive Self-Dimension

Total winners like in the present. They know that now is all there is. They don’t get caught up in the past or worry about the future. They simply handle the business that they can handle which is the stuff going on today, now.

Quality 9: Positive Self-Awareness

Total winners are aware of their power. They understand that they can be anything with enough effort and determination.

Self Awareness is having a clear perception of your personality, including strengths, weaknesses, thoughts, beliefs, motivation, and emotions. Self Awareness allows you to understand other people, how they perceive you, your attitude and your responses to them in the moment.