I figured that if I said it enough
I would convince the world
That I really was the greatest.
Muhammad Ali
Yes. He was the greatest. And we all knew it. And, it was his repetition of that famous phrase, ‘I am the greatest,’ that made us believe it.
Like most athletes, Muhammed Ali understood the importance of affirmation. But he took affirmations to greater heights than any athlete before or since. And before Ali could make us believe that he was the greatest he had to believe it himself.
I remember when Ali was saying how great he was on tv and everyone was saying how conceited he was. Now when I read that quote of his I think, he wasn’t conceited at all. He was trying to boost his own self confidence and intimidate his opponents. I never read that quote of his before. I find that so interesting and it sheds a different light on him and his life for me.
I know. I remember too. We all thought he was conceited, but he also showed us that he could back it up. And then we agreed he was the greatest. Today, it’s expected that athletes and leaders use power statements to describe themselves. But back then, we were uncomfortable with the behavior.
It’s the whole thing about seeing yourself as you want to be as if it already is. It works when you focus on that.
So true. Affirmations and power statements like that have been around in sports for a long time. It’s great to see that their use has expanded beyond sports and into every day life
Thanks for the great reminder!
You’re welcome, Janet! Thanks for stopping by!