Babe Ruth
Great athletes are a source of inspiration for me, because they face the same self-doubts as traders do-- and in the presence of millions of fans who are watching their every move. But the winners ALWAYS find a way to prevail. And just like traders, they need guts, determination, and consistent effort to WIN BIG.
In the pantheon of sports figures, no one WON bigger or LIVED bigger than Babe Ruth. Despite growing up in an orphanage, he made the most of his talents in baseball. He said "I swing big, with everything I've got," and that guides EVERY ONE of of the hand-picked BREAKOUT STOCKS & REBOUND PICKS I feature in my twice-a-week updates. This is what a winner looks like:
Here are just a few of his thoughts about winning:
"Don't let the fear of striking out hold you back."
"Every strike brings me closer to the next home run."
"I had only one superstition. I made sure to touch all the bases when I hit a home run."
"It's hard to beat a person who never gives up"
Secretariat
Even animals can be a source of inspiration. Just as with humans, animals have God-given talents and abilities, and their greatness always seems to come out when they're put to the test. Here's the story of how a VERY SPECIAL horse with tremendous heart, Secretariat, inspired an ENTIRE NATION during a dark time, and changed the lives of everyone around him.
As you can see from the quotes below, not everyone believed in him, but Secretariat not only made the doubters believe in him, but for those close to him, he made them believe in THEMSELVES:
"I got what I wanted." Penny Chenery, referring to acquiring Secretariat in a coin flip followed by her brother Hollis's statement "You got what no one else wanted."
"It's not whether THEY think we won. It's whether WE think we won." --Penny's father Chris Chenery.
"I've run my race. You run yours." --Chenery speaking to Secretariat the evening before the Belmont Stakes.
"Let him run Ronnie! Let him run!" --Chenery (to Ron Turcotte, the jockey) as Secretariat was going down the backstretch at the Belmont.
"It was like the Lord was holding the reins. Secretariat was one of his creatures. And he maybe whispered "Go!" and that horse really went! It was really a supernatural experience. It really was." --Pat Lynch, NY Racing Association.
"You were at the Belmont. You saw that race. I was all alone in my living room, watching. And as he came down the stretch, pulling away, I applauded, and I cried." -- Jack Nicholas.
Joe Namath
The bold, brash, quarterback who boasted the New York Jets would beat the Colts for the first-ever Super Bowl win for the upstart AFC-- and, then made good on his promise.
"We're going to win Sunday. I guarantee it."
"First I prepare, then I have faith."
"I think that at some point in your life you realize you don't have to worry if you do everything you're supposed to do right."
"If you aren't going all the way, why go at all?"
"Till I was 13, I thought my name was 'Shut Up.'"
"When you have confidence, you can have a lot of fun. And when you have fun, you can do amazing things."
"You learn how to be a gracious winner and an outstanding loser."
Pia Toscano
We all feel the depths of despair at times-- especially when, as traders, there's SO MUCH at stake. But let's switch it up a bit and watch Pia Toscano's brave fight to hold her head up and sing in front of MILLIONS OF VIEWERS across the world, despite being eliminated on American Idol. Is there any doubt that she STILL has a great future ahead of her?
A better future is there for EVERYONE who keeps trying and never gives up, no matter WHAT the circumstances.
