Victor Schueller: The champion's secret

“Definition of a victim: a person to whom life happens.” ~Peter McWilliams

Today’s installment in my series of posts about common characteristics shared by successful individuals revolves around a successful person’s refusal to play the role of a victim. People who are successful understand that while “life happens,” no matter what “happens,” they are in control of how they respond and react to what “happens.”

Many times, when unexpected things come up, people tend to render themselves helpless or victim to the circumstances they find themselves in. This also occurs in the workplace, when people feel that they are helpless to the antics or behaviors or their bosses or politics. The reality is that while nobody can change anyone else’s behavior, we have a choice in how we respond to anyone else’s behavior. The importance of simply realizing that one is in control and not a victim cannot be underestimated. This is what I call the "chamption's secret" -- the refusal to fall victim to circumstances most would consider out of one's control.

The next time something “happens” in your life, especially when unexpected or unpleasant, remember to make the important choice to upgrade your mentality from a “victim” mentality to a “victor” mentality, where you are champion of your ability to choose how to react to circumstances. Instead of letting yourself feel powerless to circumstances, remind yourself that you are completely in control of how you respond to any circumstance, and you will find yourself immediately entering a problem-solving mode of thinking, which will get you on your way to figuring out how to resolve any issue.