Does Bolt's bragging-to-success strategy work for you?
Let's talk about self-assurance.
Usain Bolt certainly does.
The famous Jamaican sprinter is not shy about his plans for the IAAF championships, which begin Saturday in Daegu, South Korea. From an interview this week with the Associated Press:
"I am always confident. I am unbeaten this year and aim to defend all my titles in Daegu," Bolt told The Associated Press in an email.On top of his individual gold medals, he also helped Jamaica win titles in the sprint relays at Beijing and Berlin.
Anything less than nine gold medals from Beijing and two world championships would be a disappointment for him ahead of the 2012 London Olympics.
Yet he needs another overpowering show at the 53,000-capacity Daegu Stadium, because his statistics over the past two years have not completely matched his braggadocio.When it comes to "who faster?" in the 100 in 2011, Bolt is not on top of the list. He is not even the top Jamaican. His compatriot Asafa Powell holds the leading time of 9.78 seconds, with Bolt posting the sixth-fastest time of 9.86 — way off his world record of 9.58.
He is not worried, though, having been in similar positions before.
Two years ago, Tyson Gay was fastest ahead of the world championships but when it came to the biggest matchup of the competition, Bolt blew everyone away with a world record.
"I think it will be the same as Berlin. Some people ran well in the early season, but it is the championships that count," Bolt said. "We always train to peak at the major championships. My coach sets out the program with this as the goal."
Among other strategies, communications coach Peggy Klaus advocates in her book, Brag, for the creation of what she calls "brag nuggets" -- quick, selected pieces of information that are actually of interest to the desired audience.
While Klaus has some interesting ideas, most of her tips seem to focus on the past-tense end of things. She advocates for telling stories about what already happened, and I honestly believe that's a good approach.
Bolt appears to be a bit different, publicly setting a mark for himself -- beating Tyson Gay, for instance -- and then pushing to pass it.
I've always been fairly private about my goals, but even for a relative introvert like me, talking to a close friend or coach about a desired race time or placement often seems to help.
What's your strategy?
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