This conversion of stumbling blocks into stepping-stones is what truly sets a champion apart from the rest of society. During his competitive career, Toomey observed that when certain athletes noticed a minor injury, they proceeded to spend a great deal of time in the whirlpool bath. In Toomey's opinion, some people thrive on talking about their minor ailments and enjoy the attention they receive in therapy sessions. Unfortunately, the pleasure derived from that kind of sympathy can lead to seeking attention for negative reasons. Winners dwell on the rewards of success.
Losers focus on the penalties of failure.
Winners imagine the solid weight of the gold medal around their necks. They imagine the roar of the crowd in the stadium. But there is more to focusing than visualizing the future awards ceremony. Most of Bill Toomey's focus was on the present. He knew that if you concentrate on the present, you eliminate what happened yesterday and any apprehension over what may happen tomorrow.