Good Morning Sunday: 5 Success Lessons from Muhammad Ali – The Greatest

Muhammad Ali (born Cassius Marcellus Clay, Jr.; January 17, 1942), nicknamed “The Greatest”” is one of the greatest heavyweight championship boxers of all time. Ali became the first boxer to win the heavyweight championship three times. He is an inspiration to many of us not only as a great fighter but also as a hero. The hero who defied all odds and defeated the greatest champions in the boxing ring.

Ali was involved in some of the greatest historic fights, including three with Joe Frazier and one with George Foreman. In his career he amassed 56 wins and only 5 losses. Ali’s never give up die hard attitude and his inspiring speeches made him a global icon.

In 1999, Ali was crowned “Sportsman of the Century” by Sports Illustrated and “Sports Personality of the Century” by the BBC.

5 Success Lessons from “The Greatest” – Muhammed Ali

1) Power of spoken words

“I am the greatest, I said that even before I knew I was.”

Muhammad Ali was a man who spoke what he wanted to be much before he became one. He believed in the power of spoken words, what you speak become seeds of thought, your thoughts create a vision and a dream. Speak what you want to see, not what you see.

2) The Power of visualization:
“Champions aren’t made in the gyms. Champions are made from something they have deep inside them — a desire, a dream, a vision.”

Every champion has a desire, a goal and a dream to achieve much like every entrepreneur who has a vision and a dream for his business. Can you visualize your dream can yous see the unseen ?

3) Pay now, Play later:
“I hated every minute of training, but I said, “Don’t quit. Suffer now and live the rest of your life as a champion.”

Everyone has to pay the price of success or failure. You decide when you want to pay it – early in your life or later on. People who pay the price early in life are generally successful in what they want to achieve. There is no substitute to hard work. Even The Greatest Muhammad Ali went through the pain and grind of everyday training.

4) Self belief is the greatest belief:
“It’s lack of faith that makes people afraid of meeting challenges, and I believed in myself.”

Have faith and self belief in yourself and in what you want to achieve. You can’t be successful if you don’t have self belief or lack of faith. Be a firm believer of yourself, Be a firm believer of your dreams.

5) Success is won in the mind first:
“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.”

Before you actually win or accomplish anything in life, you need to see it in your mind. You need to be a winner in your thought before you become a winner in reality. Seed winning thoughts before you plan the game.

Here is one more Ali quote that like like – ‘It’s hard to beat a guy when he’s got his mind made up that he’s going to win.”

Be like Muhammad Ali – Determined, Guts, Persistent, Fighter with A Winning Attitude.

Have a Super Sunday and a Great Weekend Ahead 🙂

Image Credit: WWE Superb

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9 comments

Mark@The Elevation Group Review December 18, 2011 - 6:05 am
It is very inspiring to see the most famous boxer of all time be in any cover article. I got lots of learning from his life.
vijay December 19, 2011 - 2:30 am
visualization and self confidence is the main aspect in life to get our goal. this post is really motivates us.
sam @ goa carnival December 19, 2011 - 2:49 am
Hi, I am totally agreed with your all five points which will help to us for get success in our business even in our whole life.
Raj December 19, 2011 - 3:26 am
"Everyone has to pay the price of success or failure" - How true! There is always a price to pay to become successful and people just ignore this simple fact. Sometimes, we come to think that failure is better than success! That's the price one needs to pay for success. But then, one always reaps the reward for their efforts!
SEO Agency Guy, December 19, 2011 - 5:51 am
If you're going to take 5 tips from anyone, Cassius Clay is the man to take them from!
Daniel Wood December 19, 2011 - 7:17 am
‘It’s hard to beat a guy when he’s got his mind made up that he’s going to win.” Wow what an inspiring post. All the 5 points are keys to get success in any field of life. Believe in yourself, visualize your goal and work hard to achieve it. Success will be yours.
IT Outsourcing Companies December 20, 2011 - 1:38 am
Simply Great Collection i am very inspired and learn a lot today many many thanks for this post especially....
Nash Wiseman December 20, 2011 - 11:58 am
These lessons are really informative. This article is right on and cuts through the drivel that you see when people are just trying to get you to do something they want you to do. Thanks for posting useful illumination on a topic that doesn’t get enough of it. See our site for Kids Holiday Parties
Sandy December 25, 2011 - 7:22 am
Hi ZK, What a great Post. It`s inspired for me. I have a dream. A simple dream, but i must work for them... to start my own business is my only and greatest dream. It's the freedom to do what i want. Spend more time with my son, family and my new boyfriend. And i work hard for this dream... in last weeks i learn so much and hey, its Christmas and i sit here, read your post and work on my site... my own domain was a present from Santa ;-) So, i think your post is an inspiration for everyone, and Ali is a great example for hard work and success. Wish you all merry Christmas. with greetings from Germany
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