Ray Winstone, the London East End barrow boy, who became an actor famous for acting hard men, did some boxing when he was younger. He learned a key lesson from boxing which helped him in the acting world and which could help any of us in any situation.
"You would go into your corner and look at the man in the corner opposite you and you would say 'I can beat him' or look at another man and say 'I can't beat him.'"
Boxing taught you to learn to beat the man you thought you couldn't beat. Ray had about 88 fights and lost only 8 of them.
When faced with the challenge of acting the role of Henry VIII, Ray, at first, thought he could not act the part but then drew on his boxing experience and achieved what had seemed impossible to him.
I was not too convinced by his acting in this part but a lot of people were. He certainly portrayed the thuggish side of King Henry convincingly!
Another lesson from boxing is the way champion boxers keep punching even when their opponent seems completely untroubled by their best punches.
On Friday March 4th 2005, I watched Clinton Woods fight Rico Hoye for the IBF light heavy weight championship of the world. The fight took place at the Magna Centre in Rotherham, South Yorkshire.
Clinton landed one great punch after another but Rico Hoye seemed totally undisturbed by the powerful punches. He also landed a few good ones of his own.
Clinton kept patient and did not rush in to try to finish the fight too quickly. He knew that impatience could lead to disaster. If you charge in regardless you are likely to leave yourself open to a killer punch.
Round after round passed and the fight seemed totally even. Then suddenly, half way through the fight, the effect of Woods' punches manifested itself.
Hoye started moving slowly and staggering round the ring although he still kept up a brave attempt to defend himself. The referee stopped the fight and Clinton Woods, after four attempts, was now a world champion.
Clinton was 32 years old at the time of this fight and knew that it might be his last shot at the title. He was not the bookies' favorite but ignored his critics and trained harder than he ever had for a fight.
Boxing teaches that, if you keep on working hard and keep on fighting even if it seems you are getting nowhere, you can beat the man you thought you would never beat.
If you do the same thing in ordinary life you will achieve 'impossible' goals that have eluded you for years. You will know the same ecstasy that Woods felt after long years of struggle to become champion of the world.
About the author
John Watson is an award winning teacher and martial arts instructor. He has recently written two books about achieving your goals and dreams. They can both be found on his website http://www.motivationtoday.com along with a daily motivational message.
The title of the first book is "36 Laws To Ignite Your Inner Power And Realize Your Dreams Now! - Acronyms, Stories, And Pictures...Easy To Remember And Use Everyday To Grab Your Life And Soar With The Eagles"
The book can be found at this URL http://www.motivationtoday.com
The book uses acronyms, stories and pictures to help readers remember 36 laws that can gradually transform your life if you apply them.
You are welcome to publish the article above in your ezine or on your website so long as you do not alter it and keep in the words about the author and the 36 Laws.
cleaning service near Bannockburn ..One of the keys to being successful in anything you... Read More
Sometimes it is better to just get on with doing... Read More
As a child you probably learned failing is bad...Failing meant... Read More
If it comes to the question what we really want... Read More
Do you have what it takes to be really successful?Have... Read More
What do we want most from life? Certainly, we all... Read More
Okay, so you've finally made that big decision to start... Read More
To make change effective, you have to BE what you... Read More
Believe it or not, there is a special 3-step formula... Read More
Who wants to carry on being a failure?Failure. Not a... Read More
Today I am going to tell you the #1 secret... Read More
Not so long ago, I impressed the daylights out of... Read More
When my neighbor's child was about 8, he decided that... Read More
Your mind is the only tool that can create success... Read More
Today I was glad that I had bothered to read... Read More
A young girl opens a birthday card from her grand... Read More
Our thought are magnetic ! Like a magnet we attract... Read More
To achieve what you want, what you desire, needs a... Read More
1. Clearly define what you want and what is most... Read More
"See, I told you so," she emailed me, "it turned... Read More
These days success is a hotly debated subject. Nevertheless, people... Read More
To take the online road to success is not, contrary... Read More
So you want to be successful (whatever that means to... Read More
Think back to a time in your life when you... Read More
If you have read this far, we both know you... Read More
pet-friendly home cleaners Mundelein .."Don't get caught up in the how of things. If... Read More
There are so many internet marketing schemes out there so... Read More
Today I was glad that I had bothered to read... Read More
All of us could work on our skills in influencing... Read More
Never settle for what you can currently imagine You are... Read More
What is "success"? Why does it seem everyone wants "success"?... Read More
"And when it rains on your parade, look up rather... Read More
To make change effective, you have to BE what you... Read More
Read these four simple steps that reveal how... Read More
An acquaintance of mine once lamented that she was utterly... Read More
Opportunity is all around us and has many facets, but... Read More
Oprah and Harpo Productions, consistently reap awe-inspiring progress and record-breaking... Read More
Do you know what the problem is with asking successful... Read More
The Outlaw Josey Wales is an interesting Western that I... Read More
Are you looking for the secret or magical formula for... Read More
He was pencil thin and walked with a limp. A... Read More
Measure twice, cut once Just as in carpentry, making sure... Read More
The Enlightened Warrior's 'Keys to Success' Through the Power of... Read More
Are you ready to finally realize your dream? I'm talking... Read More
As a golfer and coach, I've been thrilled to watch... Read More
You can be a master achiever by developing the same... Read More
Fear, or negative anxiety, is the modern day bubonic plague,... Read More
Energy and persistence conquer all things. - Benjamin FranklinThough Ben... Read More
The most under rated method to achieve success is: The... Read More
You are never a failure until you accept defeat as... Read More
Success |