In 1982 I won a boxing championship and received a championship trophy for it. Now many of us have trophies we won as kids that we may have or may not have any longer. I was excited when I found this trophy because of the effort that went into winning it. It reminds me daily of the daily training and commitment it took to accomplish my goal.

So what is your trophy? What is it that you are striving to get. In 1981, I watched as the other champions took their trophies home. I decided then and there that I would win the next year. When it was time to start training I took it very seriously. I exercised, ate right and sparred on a daily basis.

I encountered daily obstacles of fatigue, embarrassment and even injury in pursuit of my goal. One day during sparring I was completely knocked out and awoke to the whole group looking down on me. I can still remember the punch coming toward my head. The coach who was working with us even told me that he thought I should not continue. I did not quit, I followed my goal and made every effort to learn from the mistake.

The day of the fight when my name was called out, I remember being so scared to climb those steps into the ring. My last thought before climbing up was that if I did not get into the ring, I could not win and would not have my trophy. During the fight I received many blows that I thought were going to doom me. At the same time I gave out more than I received. In the end I won that night and the next and was awarded my trophy.

The paper the next day said that aside from "the ire of the crowd" I given a split decision win. But I did not care what others thought. I had put in the effort and took the risk and won.

So how does this apply to you you're asking. It's a nice story but what am I to take away. Take these nine messages from the story:

1) Find what you want.
2) Everyday you must take action on the things needed to accomplish your goal.
3) Overcome the obstacles that get in your way.
4) Don't let negative people keep you from your goal. They are negative because they have never achieved their goals.
5) Overcome your fear. Remember faith demolishes fear. Build up your faith and your fear will retreat.
6) GET INTO THE GAME!!! Don't sit on the sidelines waiting for results. They must be achieved through action.
7) Take some blows, give more.
8) Get back in the ring everyday.
9) Fulfill your dream.

So I ask you again what is your TROPHY? Now go get it!