Center Circle
DR. JAY MARTIN Member since 1977, Ohio Wesleyan Head Coach
5From the Editor is a recurring column in Soccer Journal.
Here is some advice if you want to help your players become winners. Ask your players:“ What makes one person a winner and other people losers?” The answer is simply the difference in how they think! The self-image of your players determines their ability and their success. They will be ready mentally if they are thinking success. For instance:
A WINNER is always ready to tackle something new … a loser is prone to believe it can’ t be done.
A WINNER isn’ t afraid of competition … a loser excuses themselves with the idea that the competition can beat them.
A WINNER makes a mistake and says,“ I was wrong” … a loser makes a mistake and says,“ It wasn’ t my fault,” and blames someone else.
A WINNER is challenged by a problem and goes through it … a loser does not want to face it, tries to go around it, but never gets by it.
A WINNER realizes there is no time like the present to get a job done … a loser is prone to procrastinate with the hope that someone else will do the work.
A WINNER thinks positively, acts positively and lives positively … a loser usually has a negative attitude and a negative approach to everything.
A WINNER says,“ Let’ s find out” … a loser says,“ Nobody knows.”
A WINNER makes commitments … a loser makes empty promises.
A WINNER says,“ I’ m good, but not as good as I should be” … a loser says,“ I’ m not as bad as a lot of other people.”
A WINNER learns from those who are superior … a loser tries to tear down those who are superior.
A WINNER credits his“ good luck” for winning— even though it isn’ t good luck … a loser blames“ bad luck” for losing— even though it isn’ t bad luck.
A WINNER knows how and when to say“ Yes” and“ No” … a loser says,“ Yes, but” and“ Perhaps not” at the wrong times, for the wrong reasons.
A WINNER isn’ t nearly as afraid of losing as a loser is secretly afraid of winning.
A WINNER works harder and has more time … a loser is always“ too busy” to do what is necessary.
A WINNER shows he’ s sorry by making up for it … a loser says,“ I’ m sorry,” but does the same thing the next time.
A WINNER knows what to fight for, and what to compromise on … a loser compromises on what he shouldn’ t and fights for what isn’ t worth fighting about.
A WINNER listens … a loser just waits until it’ s his turn to talk.
A WINNER would rather be admired than liked, although he would prefer both … a loser would rather be liked than admired, and is even willing to pay the price of mild contempt for it.
A WINNER feels strong enough to be gentle … a loser is never gentle— he is either weak or a petty tyrant by turns.
A WINNER feels responsible for more than his job … a loser says,“ I just work here.”
A WINNER says,“ There ought to be a better way to do it” … a loser says,“ That’ s the way it’ s always been done here.”
A WINNER paces himself … a loser has only two speeds: hysterical and lethargic.
A WINNER works hard to achieve his goals … a loser just gets by.
8 | Soccer Journal