“By becoming a master of the question, you stay connected to yourself and to what you want to achieve.”

Watch this video below from Newsworld for an overview of this week's topic.



Now, let's get started. Keep in mind that BEING A CHAMPION MEANS:

• Understanding the power of the question
Questions help us avoid complacency and find meaning. They help us see what will happen if we continue to do the same things the same way, or what might happen if we try to do things differently.

• Knowing what to ask and when
You can ask all kinds of questions, but end up going in circles and still not get to the answers you were looking for. Try a different line of questioning. Instead of asking "WHY am I feeling lost?" you might try "WHAT am I missing to feel connected?"

• Being honest with your answers
How many times have you heard people say: "I knew I should have (fill in the blank),” but didn't do anything about it?


Ask yourself that question you have been afraid to ask yourself. This trait is about asking yourself questions to make sure you are connected to yourself, and what you want to achieve. We start this series by starting to think about what it means to you to be on top of YOUR game. To do that, this week we want you to consider what might be holding you back from this. Where is there room for improvement in your life? Listen honestly to the answers that come to you.

One day this week take some time for yourself. Carve out half an hour — it could be while you take a coffee or tea, or have a walk outside. Think of something that deep down you know you have to face, but have been avoiding.


Framing the question as follows might be a good starting point:


If I am really honest:

• Am I giving 100 %?
• Am I engaged in my work?
• What habits do I want to get rid of?
• Am I living within my means?
• What would I change in my life?

Take a moment to write down what it is you need to face in order to breakthrough with this series to be on top of your game.


Here's what I'm thinking about this week:

One year before the Olympics in Barcelona, my life was turned upside down. That final year of my swimming career, I worked with a world class coach, and essentially brought to life the traits involved in this series. I will provide a short synopsis of that experience here, but to know more, check out the story in our book, The Great Traits of Champions: Fundamentals for Achievers, Leaders, and Legacy Leavers.

As I had gotten better and better as an athlete, I asked myself the hard questions less and less. I showed up every day at the pool, did the work, but became slightly complacent, assuming I was being my best simply by being there. In the last major competition before the Olympics, with just under a year to go, my rival from the USA dropped 1.2 seconds in our event, the equivalent of 7 years improvement. I was devastated. My dream suddenly seemed impossible. It forced me to do some soul searching, and to ask myself some tough questions. What am I doing? Why am I doing it? How am I doing it? How much do I want this?

Mastering this trait means that you check in and ask yourself the right questions. Questions that lead to answers that are both honest and meaningful.