Today is Monday, so this post is on self confidence.
I’m a tennis fan. The 2007 Australian Open (one of tennis’ four major events, along with The French Open, Wimbledon and The US Open) was just completed over the weekend. Roger Federer won the men’s title – not surprising as he is the world’s number 1 player, and the dominant figure in tennis today.
Serena Williams won the women’s title. This was very surprising as Ms. Williams was ranked 81st in the world going into the tournament. She beat Maria Sharapova, the number 1 woman in the world 6 – 1, and 6 – 2 in the finals. For those of you unfamiliar with tennis, this would be like winning the Super Bowl by a score of about 28 – 7.
I bring this up here, because Ms. Williams’ self confidence was a big reason for her victory. Here’s what the Associated Press had to say about Ms. Williams win.
- “Serena Williams answered her critics with an overpowering victory at the Australian Open Final. Unseeded and ranked 81st, Williams won her eighth and most improbable Grand Slam title today, beating Maria Sharapova 6 – 1, 6 – 2. ‘It was an awesome win because I had so many critics. So may people saying negative things,’ Williams said. ‘Saying I wasn’t fit when I felt that I was really fit, and I could last three sets.’ It’s always like, tell me no, and I’ll show you that I can do it. I get the greatest satisfaction just holding up the Grand Slam trophy and proving everybody wrong.’ The victory was the most dominating win in a completed match at Melbourne Park since 1994.”
Good for Serena Williams. Once the number 1 woman tennis player in the world, she had fallen on hard times recently. She played only six tournaments in 2006 because of injuries. This year’s Australian Open was the beginning of a comeback for her – and what a beginning it was.
Ms. Williams said that she worked very hard – on her game and to get into the level of fitness required to win a major tennis tournament. And I’m sure she did. However, I believe that her self confidence put her over the top in Australia. Put simply, Serena Williams believes in herself – “tell me no, and I’ll show you that I can do it”. All really great athletes share this trait.
All career stars share this trait too. They believe that they can accomplish what they set out to accomplish – and then they go ahead and do it. Self confidence, the belief in yourself, is as necessary an ingredient for career success as it is for athletic success.
The common sense point here? The next time someone tells you that you can’t do something, think of Serena Williams – or Erin Gruwell, the teacher featured in the movie Freedom Writers and the subject of all five of my posts last week. Believe in yourself, and then whatever it takes to accomplish what you want.
That’s it for today. Thanks for reading. Log on to my website www.BudBilanich.com for more common sense. Check out my other blog: www.CommonSenseGuy.com for common sense advice on leading people and running a small business.
I’ll see you around the web, and at Alex’s Lemonade Stand.
Bud
PS: Speaking of Alex’s Lemonade Stand – my fundraising page is still open. Please go to www.FirstGiving.com/TheCommonSenseGuy to read Alex’s inspiring story and to donate if you can.
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