How does your “corner” talk to you?

Psychologically, boxing is one crazy sport. Two fighters willingly go into a ring to face off to get punched in the face. It’s not for the faint of heart. But it definitely provides some interesting thoughts on motivation and courage. 

After every round in a boxing match, there’s a pause. The fighters go to their specified corner to get a breather. From a psychological perspective this is the best part of the match. You can visibly see which fighter is exhausted and which one is feeling confident. You get to determine which one wants to win more than the other.

And you get to see which “corner” does a better job motivating their fighter.

You see one corner shout and talk to their fighter: “Come on! You’re better than him. You can do it.. Just keep at it. You’re the best in the world.” And then you watch as the camera pans to the other corner, where the coach calmly says to his fighter: ” Is that the best you can do?”

A clear case of External vs. Internal motivation. And guess what?

The internally motivated fighter wins every single time. 

Now, how does your “corner” talk to you? What do your friends, your family or your “fans” say to you? Do they tell you that you’re the greatest, you’re better than anyone else?

Or do they hold you to a higher standard? Do they challenge you by asking you to show them your best?

Because at the end of the day, you’re really fighting against yourself. Your lower nature. Your laziness and your fears. Your “Resistance”. And this enemy is only defeated when you focus on the best you can possibly do.

The fight within is the only fight that matters. And your challenge is to create a corner that holds you to this higher standard. You must build a team of supporters who constantly ask you:

Is that the best you can do?