We’ve all seen and heard stories of

the brilliant young coach who fights his way to the top of the heap,

brings in the championship, and then suddenly falls into decline, leaving

a bewildered team and dismayed fan base in the wake.  

One of the main reason dreams die after

skyrocketing to success is that success begins to be viewed as a permanent

condition. However, the fact is that you must maintain the same qualities

of drive, initiative, and purpose that allowed you to arrive in the

winner’s circle the first time around. Once you reach a goal, you

must work twice as hard as you originally did to get there! 

Your job as a coach is not only to motivate

others but also to keep the passion alive in yourself. When you are

lulled into complacency by all your previous accomplishments, you begin

to lose your edge, to discard all the elements of success that handed

you that victory - you begin to coast. And as a wise man once said,

"If you’re coasting, you’re surely not coasting uphill." 

However, as any successful person will

tell you, being the one that others look to for inspiration and motivation

can present a serious problem. When you are the sole powerhouse of your

team’s enthusiasm, what happens when you run out of gas, when you

feel the fire dying out?  

Who motivates the motivator?

You may be thinking, "Okay, I am losing

my fire, so who will motivate the motivator?" The answer is YOU! You

must self-motivate and be able to stand alone in this process.

But remember, the fact that you arrived at the position you now hold

means you already possess that ability in a major way! You know

how to stand alone and get the job done. 

The bottom line is you will have to establish

a program of personal motivation that will continue to fuel your

passion, desire, and thirst for new and ongoing victories. One of the

most helpful things I do in my own life is to avail myself of motivational

books and CD’s about successful people from all walks of life. I find

that as I read and listen I am filled with the same drive and determination

that made them successful. 

The next and most important step, however,

is to put into play five major steps to get you where you want to go

and keep you there:  

Step #1: Crystallize your thinking.

You must set specific goals for yourself with a time frame for achieving

them. General goals will not be effective. Having strong, exciting goals

guarantees you will keep your fervor and enthusiasm.

Step #2: Write your goals down.

When you write your goals down in concrete steps that can be checked

off as you accomplish them, you will remain committed and focused.

Never check off the completion of one step until you are already

involved in completing the next step. You want to keep the momentum

going!

Step #3: Develop a burning desire

to reach you goals. The desire to accomplish your goals is maintained

by identifying all the benefits you will experience and receive once

your goals are attained. Include all the areas in which you will benefit

professionally and personally. Be specific. Write this list of benefits

down and keep it with you, referring to it often.

Step #4: Maintain an unshakable faith

in yourself and your ability to accomplish your goals.

This is not the time to be modest! List every strength and positive

attribute you have. Make the list as long and as truthful as possible.

Compare your qualities with other great men that have already accomplished

the goals you desire.

Step #5: Create an iron-willed determination

that will blast any obstacle from your path.

Once you have truly internalized your goals and their benefits, you

will perceive any obstacle as merely something that must be eliminated

from your path. Let nothing stand in your way! 

Once you realize that motivation for

continued success must come from within yourself, you can proceed with

the proper steps to make that happen. All the attributes that brought

you to your present position are the same attributes that can fuel your

continued rise to success. Keep the fires burning; keep the enthusiasm

high; hear the roar of the crowd; it’s time to take the field. It’s

time for victory!