Ali's secrets

Last week the world lost the greatest boxer ever, Muhammad Ali. I spent my weekend reading about him and learned five things we can apply to be successful:

• Find what you're good at and determine to be the best at it. When Ali was introduced to boxing at the age of 12, he immediately felt he had found his calling. And since he wasn't the smartest in class he vowed to be the greatest at boxing. What are you good at and what are you doing about it?

• Be an optimist. Ali always believed in himself. As a man thinks in his heart so is he. If you think nothing can stop you from being successful, nothing surely will. Faith in oneself always pays off. Ali often predicted he would "whup" his opponents, and did. Do you believe in yourself?
  

• Be courageous. Fear hinders many people from making headway in life. Ali never cowered; he took on the toughest opponents and what he won for his fearlessness outweighed what he lost. He said, "A man who is not courageous enough to take risks will never accomplish anything in life."

• Create your own style. In writing we call it your distinctive voice. Ali's signature style was leaning back from punches than moving his head sideways. His graceful footwork was compared to a floating butterfly and his fast unpredictable punches likened to the sting of bees. He said, "I don't have to be what you want me to be. I'm free to be who I want."

•  Put in time. Ali never chose the easy path. He said, "The fight is won or lost far away from witnesses -- behind the lines, in the gym, and out there on the road, long before I dance under those lights." He was talking about training which brings fitness, improves skill, builds stamina and gives one an edge over others. We must work harder everyday because true success is not delivered on a silver platter.