"A Winning Mindset" by Coach Johnny
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Setting the Tone: A Winning Mindset
Winning: The act of one that wins
By Coach Johnny Martin
My professional journey as a teacher, football coach, counselor, performance coach, and speaker has provided me with the opportunity to have thousands of meaningful conversations. In depth, intimate, vulnerable conversations with human beings from all walks of life. From high school students to special operations warriors. These conversations took place in schools, on playing fields, in board rooms, and in the homes of professional athletes. While many of the themes repeated themselves across these populations and environments; there were very clear separators. Those select few that just had “it”; they brought something different and special to these encounters.
Every one of these men and women shared this attribute in common: the mindset of a winner. It was not luck, privilege, or any external circumstances that defined their lives. Their successes were the result of their mindset. Their setbacks, and their resolve to push through them was directly related to their mindset as well— they chose how they thought, acted, and responded to life’s challenges. The foundation of this mindset is their understanding and unwavering belief that they are the authors of their own story.
Each day, we are faced with choices that either propel us closer to winning or keep us stuck in “this is good enough”. Winners know this and choose growth, positivity, and relentless determination over excuses, blame, and stagnation.
Winning is about action.
Winning isn’t reserved for the lucky or the talented.
It's a choice to courageously step into our current circumstance:
One.decision.at.a.time...
At the heart of this mindset lies personal ownership. A winner takes full responsibility for their hour, owning their successes and their missteps without excuses or blame. True growth happens when we look in the mirror and acknowledge that the person staring back is the one who holds the pen. The only story we can write is our own. Excuses feel easy in the moment, but they rob us of the power to change. Winners embrace accountability, expect struggle and turn challenges into fuel for the climb.
Defining the win is another crucial step in adopting the mindset of a winner. Too often, we pursue vague goals or chase success without clarity. Winners know that success must first be clearly defined before it can be achieved. The 1 Hour Win can shape that pursuit by controlling what is in front of you right now!
Winning the week is impossible without crushing the first 60 minutes of that week. Whether it’s mastering a skill, building a career, or overcoming personal obstacles, we have to define what the “win” looks like. Do you see it? Now attack the win with laser focus and relentless energy. Winners don’t wait for the perfect conditions; they create them through action and persistence.
Ultimately, the mindset of a winner is about making intentional choices: to rewrite our story when it veers off course, to transform negativity into resilience, to own every step of our journey, and to pursue success with clarity and purpose. It’s a mindset anyone can adopt, but it requires discipline, courage, and an unshakable belief in the power of choice.
It’s time to define your story, own your journey, and chase the win with everything you’ve got. Remember, the path to success isn’t about being perfect or never failing. It’s about making the daily decision to rise, adapt, and keep moving forward—because in the end, the choice to win is yours.
