The following was taken from an article written by Bonnie St, John. Bonnie has spent her life living, working, and training with world class performers as an Olympic skier, a Rhodes Scholar at Oxford, a White House economic official and a speaker and consultant to hundred of companies, organizations and associations.

Bonnie’s coach, Warren Witherall, said “I never built champions one a time. I always created communities of champions.” In a community, people push each other, cheer for each other, and find new ways of increasing performance. They reach new heights individually and as a cohesive group.

The dictionary defines champion as “the person left standing after everyone else is vanquished.” By that definition, a community of champions is an oxymoron. Then how have successful champion teams been born and raised?

Here are five tips for creating your own community of champions.

1. Create a vision focus, not a penalty focus. Rather than playing good guy – bad guy with your team (enforcing rules, disciplining infractions), create an inspiring vision, a mission which everyone values and supports. Seeking greatness is overwhelmingly more powerful than pushing against mediocrity. You still need rules and discipline, but direct your energy and attention to the best performers and rewards rather than to the worst performers and reprimands.
2. Recruit into the Vision. When you bring people onto your team make your message loud and clear. Your vision for what you and your team want to accomplish should be 3-dimensional. It should be so clear that it can be seen and felt just as you can practically taste the loaf of bread baking in the oven. You can’t physically see or taste it yet, but you sure know that you’ll be eating it! By holding the vision in place and projecting it outward, just as the gold medalists hold their medals for the world to see, you will attract team players who want to support that vision. Others will leave who don’t share in those goals and ideals.
3. Make sure they can win. If they put in their absolute best, will they move to a leadership role? Will commissions go up enough? Will they earn more control over their schedule?
4. Make sure they have the resources they need to be champions. If you expect top performance, but give your team insufficient resources to do what you ask, you lose credibility. Everything doesn’t have to be perfect but meet their best with yours.
5. Let them push each other to greatness. The most important thing, according to Warren Witherall, author and Olympic coach, is to set it up so that members of the team are cheering for one another, helping each other perform better, and learning from one another. Here’s an example from the University of Connecticut women’s basketball team, a legendary force on the college circuit. During practice, the sound of clapping is deafening. Either you have the ball and are shooting or you are clapping for whoever has the ball.

Imagine your team of colleagues, employees, fellow workers, teammates, even family members all rooting for one anther and energizing each other with positive words and coaching. Imagine pushing each to be the best at their game. Your team would be a formidable powerhouse.

What are two enemies of health & happiness?

Imbalanced pH levels and stress.

Keep a healthy pH balance.

The body does not easily tolerate extended acid imbalances. You can experiences headaches, skin eruptions, colds and flu. Acidic conditions can cause muscles to constrict and inhibit the exchange of nutrients and waste products in muscle cells, causing fatigue, soreness and pain. Additionally, acidic blood blocks vitamin absorption, creates toxic buildup in clogged cells, slows organ functions, prevents proper digestion and speeds the aging process.

In the neutral range, a pH of 7.0 – 7.4, the body has a strong immunity to diseases. Most Americans have a pH level of 6.2 – 6.5

Here’s what to do:

Positive Dietary changes can help restore a normal pH level. Fresh fruits and vegetables, on a consistent basis will create a more alkalinity in all body fluids. A handful of almonds for an afternoon snack can enhance alkalinity. Alkaline supplements are available if you have trouble implementing the recommended acid reducing foods.

Acidic producing foods are processed foods, dairy products, high sugar content foods and excessively salty foods.

Reduce Stress.

Stress is caused by opposing intentions, wants and goals. Often people will push harder to overcome the stress. Example: the regular staff meetings at work or family together time often ends in bickering or lowered moods which cause stress. The individuals have opposing intentions, wants and goals. Turning up the volume doesn’t help a bit. Leaving the room may feel better for the moment but the stress is right there when you next meet . What should you do?

Handle the stress by taking yourself out of the opposition game. This is not disconnecting from your peers or family, this is a start to handle your part. What happens when you let go of the rope in tug-of-war? The person left with the rope has no opponent and the game ceases (at least with you).

4 simple steps to take yourself out of the opposition game:

1. When you experience stress, stop. Physically stop what you’re doing.
2. Get focused, get centered, get present.
3. Repeat to yourself a half dozen times at least, “I’m not playing that game.”
4. Ask yourself, “What game do I want to play in life?” Repeat your answer a half dozen times at least.