By Arthur Joseph
Founder and Creator of Vocal Awareness
In the almost five decades since I created Vocal Awareness, one of the principles that has remained constant is “A Champion Does it Differently.” I have had the privilege of teaching myriad world-class athletes, champions, Hall of Famers in sports from football, basketball, baseball, soccer, track and field, swimming, gymnastics, moto/supercross…
Traditionally, an athlete is only at the highest levels of personal achievement when he/she is playing their sport and are striving to do their very best. All athletes in their skill set are in mastery. It has been trained into them, and there is an on/off switch.
As I say to them in a first session, “You brought the gift to the sport but someone taught you to do everything you have done.” However, through the prism of working with elite athletes for so many years, except in rare instances where there is truly an extraordinary gift, I’ve observed that the only difference is a champion works harder, smarter, is more focused, dedicated, and committed to always being his/her best. Champions do not “take a down off.”
In all disciplines, Mastery is only achieved when first one masters the subtleties of form and second, when one integrates mind/body/spirit. After years of training and dedication, great athletes recognize the subtlest details in their skill and sport. The slightest discovery or distinction is never trivial but in fact can lead to significant growth, opportunity or advantage. In addition, athletes always have rituals which often have a spiritual component, i.e. a batter doesn’t simply climb into the box and swing, nor a golfer randomly swipe at the ball. There are personal protocols meticulously integrated into everything they do, but do we employ these same rituals outside of the game? No. But, they are as important to the “game of life” as they are to sports.
Vocal Awareness is a metaphor that teaches Mastery through Communication – Empowerment Through Voice, enabling one to claim their inner champion at all times, not just in doing what we do but in being who we are, and there is no “on/off switch.” The point of this essay is to awaken us to the recognition of this possibility.
Extrapolating the concept of a Championship Vision as something that can be embodied in life outside of sports is truly the larger point of this article. In reality, only a small number of individuals are privileged to play their sport at the highest level. But each and every one of us has our own aspirations, our own vision of what we want for our lives, and this deserves to be fulfilled as well. The question is how.
The following is a template that can support anyone:
- First, write down your vision – how do you see your life unfolding and what is the contribution you want to make?
- Second, establish goals. Most importantly, with timelines. Accountability, follow up, and follow through are critical.
- Third, create what I call in Vocal Awareness “a persona statement” – what is my brand? How do I want to be known? Then, become it.
- Fourth, establish daily rituals including mind/body/spirit rituals. This routine provides a necessary foundation integral to being our best. In addition, as an athlete does, practice developmental skills that will frankly help you get better at what you do and better at who you are. Please remember, structure matters.
- Fifth, surrender to what I call the Work. The root of the word “surrender” means to yield or to give back. An athlete does whatever it takes – fear is never a deterrent. This is a critical principle that enables us to more fully live life on our terms.
In summary, everything in life revolves only around two things – to choose to do something or to choose not to. A Champion makes choices that empower himself/herself. Awaken your inner champion and empower your Self.
Arthur Samuel Joseph, M.A., Communication Strategist and Voice Teacher, and founder of the Vocal Awareness Method, has studied the physiological, psychological and spiritual aspects of the human voice for over four decades. His trademarked and proprietary method, Vocal Awareness, is designed to provide useful and pragmatic life mastery skills. He has been the architect of transformation for thousands of people who were ready to discover their Self, their Power, their Voice.