Face down on the mat isn’t the time for crazy ninja maneuvers.
It’s a time for clear thinking and intentional action. But this position is where we sometimes find ourselves “oriented times zero” as John Eldridge described in his book Waking the Dead. Our understanding becomes little more than an awareness of our existence. And Pain. For a moment at least, that’s all we know.

In such moments, with vision blurred and confidence rocked, we need air in our lungs, calm in our mind, and belief beyond the circumstances.

But how?

STOP!

When your reset button has been punched. Just stop. For an instance at least, do nothing. Let the calm return.

Then…

BREATHE!

Fill those lungs with oxygen. Get blood flow back to the head

And…

SEE!

What do you see? Not with your eyes but within your mind? Regain clarity and focus. Even if you can’t  see 12-inches in front of your nose, you can regain perspective and belief in your inner champion. See the dream again. The dream is always bigger than the circumstances. The champion is always tougher than the challenges.

THINK!

This is an opportunity to think differently. Methodically. With intention. What should be changed? Where is the opportunity? There’s always an opportunity if you’re ready for it.
So how can this moment be leveraged?

Now..

MOVE!

Seize the moment to take responsibility and move toward a better outcome. Even if it’s just an inch upward, you gotta make the monumental move to stand back up. Louis L’Amour said it well, “Victory is won not in miles but in inches. Win a little now, hold your ground, and later, win a little more.”

It’s what we do when we’re down that counts. This is the critical moment. Anyone can stand strong when the game of life is going our way. But who are we when the pain comes? When it isn’t going as planned and we’re knocked repeatedly on our butt?

When you find yourself on the mat,  continue to dream big and gather yourself to stand back up. You really can. Champions do it all the time. So can you.

My next post will cover critical tactics from the world of fighting to help us prepare and handle those situations like a champion. Don’t miss it.