The Will to Win

Michael Jordan had it.

As a Utah Jazz fan in the 1990's I had to endure that sinking pit of the stomach feeling when a playoff win would be stolen from me by MJ. The score would be tight, and my hopes high - could the Jazz win this one?

Then a timeout.

The camera would focus in on the Chicago Bulls' huddle, and then pan to the his face, and he'd have that look . . .

It was like something would click on in his head: Super Michael had decided he was going to win this game for the Bulls by himself.

At that point there was nothing the Jazz could do. Jordon would score at will. It was like he'd been playing with his shoes tied up to that point, but they were untied now and he was going to start playing like he meant it.

A few short minutes later, my playoff hopes dashed, and I'd be watching the game's greatest player smiling for the post-game interview, my gut filled with equal amounts of admiration, hate and envy.

Where does that gift come from, that will to win? That ability to re-focus, put the whole team on your shoulders, and carry them to victory?

Good-guy players will never confess that they do it all by themselves; they give credit to the team. - they should; we want our heroes to to be humble as well as awesome - but we know better. We know that not everyone has that magic, that gift.

Tim Tebow has it.

After the Gators' only loss this season he promised in the post-game press conference that he would be the hardest working player in college football this season, he was, and in tonight's win over the Sooners, it paid off.

But more than hard work, Tebow has determination; the Will to Win. Its a rare gift, one that will undoubtedly take him to the pro ranks should he choose that path.

How do we gain the Will to Win in our every day lives?

Like Tebow, it starts with an unfailing work ethic. No matter how bad the situation is, we don't quit. When things are going well, we keep working hard. When things are going bad, we work even harder.

The economy is not going well, your budget is tight, things aren't good with the kids or your spouse . . . now is not the time to quit; now is the time to work harder. Don't slide or run out of bounds; tuck the ball, put your head down and drive for every extra yard you can get.

Will yourself to victory.