The power of self-belief (2)

If you can imagine it, you can achieve it; if you can dream it, you can become it” (William Arthur Ward).

A positive mind-set and unwavering self-belief would almost always guarantee your success.  The success story of the World Cup 2014 winning German team has in part been linked to their long term preparation for the tournament. But, the roles played by the former coach, Jurgen Klinnsman and his then assistant, Joachim Lowe who took over and became the cup-winning coach in building a formidable team stand out. 

After losing to Brazil in the finals of the 2002 World Cup, these coaches were tasked with laying the foundation for the future. It took 12 years and their coming close to winning in both the 2006 and 2010 tournaments where they were semi finalists each time. But, in 2014 the German team had become the near perfect finished work, with a record of putting together an average of more than 600 passes per match. 

When their attacking machine put four goals past Portugal in the group stages, people were forced to take notice of their new brand of soccer, but it was their 7-1 demolishing of the host nation and soccer giants Brazil that heralded their arrival as the new kings. Scoring five goals against Brazil in the first half of a match (the Semi-Finals) was unheard of, and so the German team became the favourites to win the cup in the finals against Argentina, despite the Argentine team starring Lionel Messi. 

What the German coaches did was to build a team around a system of attacking football that everyone in the team would be comfortable with, rather than around any particular superstar players. The German national team had a team of players with great self belief and confidence, but not one of the players would even think of being arrogant or in any way disrespectful of their opponents. In the team were true superstars, but they were sure that there would be no one star that would ‘shine’ more than the others. The coaches ensured that they all glowed together, so that none could outshine the other. 

After the trouncing of Brazil, the social media was filled with all sorts of messages, some of them expressing pure shock and disbelief. One of the messages that seemed to resonate with soccer lovers the world over was: “Portugal has Ronaldo; Brazil has Neymar; Argentina has Messi; Germany has a team”. The Germans had built a culture of great belief in the team superiority over individual prowess or brilliance. The Germans even mocked Argentina by calling their super-sub, the young and talented Mario Goetze the “German Messi”. 

Mario Goetze who incidentally scored the winning goal against Argentina in the finals was to later reveal to pressmen that coach Joachim Lowe told him to get onto the field and show that he is a better player than Messi. What great self belief?! That is the power of coaching. Whether it is applied in the sports arena or in the corporate business environment, the power of coaching is to compel a certain level of self belief that would inspire confidence, based on increased personal awareness, energy and commitment. 

It is for that reason that coaching can always be a very useful and practical tool or process to help people isolate and deal with issues relating to personal fears, self-esteem, shortcomings, obstacles, abilities, success etc. If you are not ready to develop the winning mindset and that ‘can-do’ attitude, you are possibly not yet ready for coaching. But, if you are ready to bridge any personal development and knowledge gaps, in the process of enhancing your talents, improving your skills and increasing your capabilities, practical and systemic coaching will get you there. 

The truth is that inside of each person lies the most incredible potentials to achieve something worthwhile. What is usually lacking when given the opportunities is either a clear direction or a strong focusing system. And, in virtually every situation, that is what coaching will provide. So, it matters little what the obstacles may be and what the challenges may present. If you can have the belief to advance, you will definitely be in a position to acquire and apply the wisdom to accomplish your goals, dreams and desires. But, you must have a strong personal belief, because no one can believe on your behalf.

Just as the successful sportsmen, such as the earlier mentioned German national football team are coached to inspire superior performance and continued improvement,  so can you also be coached for greater achievements. The power and energy released by yourself belief is what provides the coach with the platform to engage with you in the most transformational process of unlocking dormant potentials. You can read more about the transformational power of coaching at www.ceedcoaching.com.

Emmanuel Imevbere