Ask any of the top mixed martial arts pros what continues to tip the scales in their favor to win, win and win again, these elite fighting machines with the shrunken cauliflower ears, and scar tissue-laden faces would eloquently tell you, “It takes heart!”

If you’ve ever watched an Ultimate Fighting Championship bout, you will have undoubtedly witnessed how the top athletes in this sport, just when they are at their most bloodied and exhausted, seem to tap into some extra reserve that is invisible to the spectators, but somehow is recognized by their opponent. It’s almost as if a telepathic message was sent saying, “Might as well just give up now.” And then their opponent does. He just sudenly loses it, his heart, that is, and then the match.

Ok, so Mortgage and Real Estate Professionals may not have to jump into an octagon-shaped ring for five, three-minute rounds with a person who could flip them head over heels with just the power from his little pinky, but every day you do have to step into the ring called, “Life” and it takes a whole lotta heart to continue to win at that game, too.

Right now, there’s a lot of opponents in your arena-the market, the media, the economy, tightening guidelines, new rules, new restrictions. But, here’s the thing…each of you has the answers to all of these threats. Persistence, passion and a love for the game is what will tip the scales in your favor.

Real Estate is not going away! Lending money is not going away! But, this Coach is going to tell you, that you must be willing to bob and weave, bob and weave. If you stop moving, if you don’t change-up your approach, if you don’t continue to learn new skills, invest in yourself, stay abreast of the latest growth techniques, if you’re not willing to do those things, then it’s probably time to schedule a very important check-up, to see if your heart is still in the game.

In a recent article, spiritual mentor, Dennis Merritt Jones, wrote,

When Calvin Coolidge said that persistence and determination alone are omnipotent,he meant they were all powerful and that, beyond all other possible fields of influence, it is the altitude of our attitude that lifts us into a transcendent consciousness that opens the portals through which our personal victories in life are realized.

So, what’s the altitude of your attitude been like, lately? If it’s in need of a lift, why not trying what the world’s best athletes do when they’re getting ready to have a victorious day-

Eat a healthy breafast

Envision your best performance

Put on a song that gets your blood pumping

Say your positive affirmations out loud

And then…

Get your gear on and know in your heart that you’re going to give it your 100%