Mike Shanahan,"Think Like A Champion"

One of my favorite books is by former Denver Broncos head coach, Mike Shanahan, "Think Like A Champion".

During a lunch at the Nike Clinic with Coach Meyer and Herb Sendek, they both spoke about how too many of us do not want to take the time to learn, gain knowledge and pay our dues. Too many of us want the quick and easy way to "the top". That's why I found this chapter from Shanahan's book titled, "Learning To Follow The Leaders" insightful. Here are a few of his thoughts:

• To succeed, you absolutely need to gain more knowledge in your selected field.


• Learn from those who have become winners themselves.


• If you want to stay in this game, if you really want to stay in it for the long haul, learn the game better than anybody else in the profession--Bill Walsh.


• The one thing that keeps you in the game and gives you a chance to be the best, is if you know your profession inside and out--Bill Walsh.


• You must have a degree in experience.


• Learn from others successes as well as their failures.


• Working for Bill Walsh was a laboratory for greatness.


• True commitment to excellence was the standard.


• He learned things should be done in a classy, professional way.


• "Can we still win a championship with that attitude?"