Bill Nelson

Centre Court - Wimbledon, Flushing Meadow, Melbourne Park
Midfield - Wembley, ANZ Stadium, Challenge Stadium, Lambeau Field
Mid Court - Staples Centre, Madison Square Garden, Boston Garden

Poolside - Olympics, World championships, Pan Pacs
Catwalk - Milan, Paris, New York
Centre Stage - Apollo Theatre, Whisky A-Go-Go, Marquee Club
Starting Grid - Monte Carlo, Bathurst, Indianapolis
Starting gates - Melbourne Cup, Kentucky Derby, Dubai World Cup, Royal Ascot

The arena maybe different. The reasons maybe different. The outcomes maybe different. The motivations maybe different.

But there is one commonality that is needed by each and every person as they step up to do their thing in each and everyone of these venues.

It could be desire. It could be discipline. It could be courage. It could be reason.

It could be any or all of these as each one is very important.

But the answer is something completely different again. It is the one thing that anyone and everyone must have. It is the one aspect that without it, you don't stand a chance wether it is at these venues or any other venue anywhere in the world, regardless of the level and type of performance.

That one thing........A Sense of Belonging.

A belief that you deserve to be there. And understanding that you are not there just to make up numbers. A desire to show what you have got to offer.

A sense of this is where I belong.

This is where I do my best work. This is where people will truly see what I have to offer. This is the place where I am at my best.

You cannot for any reason be distracted by the magnitude to the crowd. You cannot be intimidated by the significance of the moment. You cannot be overawed by the occasion.

You must rise above it all and stand strong.

You must truly believe, 'this is where you belong'.

But how does this apply to you and your situation?

Same principles but perhaps different venues (but then again maybe not?)

See it doesn't matter what the venue, what the reason, what the performance. The bottom line is that you must believe you belong there.

But where does that belief come from?

Does it come from ego? From arrogance? From trying to fool yourself into the fact that you belong?

No!

It comes from hard work, from discipline, from paying the price, from doing the things that you know need to be done. It comes from factual evidence, understanding, from knowledge and belief.

It comes from paying due diligence to your profession. From a desire to be a master of your craft. From the respect you have shown to the skill set you are developing as you challenge yourself each and every day.

It is sense of belonging that comes from day to day preparation, discipline, focus, attention to detail and hard work.
It is a sense of belonging that will show, how, why and when..........

The Journey Continues!