“CHAMPIONS aren’t made in gyms. Champions are made from something they have deep inside them – a desire, a dream, a vision.” - Muhammad Ali

We have, among us, world beaters. AirAsia won the World’s Best Low-Cost Airline for the 11th consecutive year in 2019. A survey of about 22 million customers who reviewed over 300 airlines cannot be wrong.

Nicol Ann David was the world number one for a record-breaking 108 consecutive months and had won the World Open title a record eight times – voted as the greatest squash player of all time in the womens category in 2018 by the Professional Squash Association. Lee Chong Wei was world number one for 349 weeks. Both had retired recently.

How can we produce more?

Using the “prosper thy neighbours” concept, we should be able to create and produce more world beaters and world-class Malaysians.

Firstly, the authorities should take the lead in creating an ecosystem that will encourage, nurture and produce more of them. Big corporates should also give support. We have many companies, including small and medium-sized enterprises, and individuals that have the potential.

Give them exposure, and when the prime minister goes on oversea trips, they should follow.

Avoid the case of Grab Holdings Inc (formerly MyTeksi), founded in Malaysia and now based in Singapore. They raised jaw-dropping amounts of money without going through a stock market listing.

For the potential world beaters, their ‘niat’ or intention should be clear and the desire to promote Malaysia.

They should be learning and thinking of new things. Practice using the subconscious mind (it works while we’re sleeping or on other activities). For example, we can drive for minutes at a time without even thinking about driving. 

Engage also the prefrontal cortex, which operates via the working memory. It helps in planning complex cognitive behavior, personality expression and decision making. Life isn’t structured for optimal creative expression.

One has to have the drive and enthusiasm. It helps to counter negative influences and other supposed well-wishers that do more harm than good. There will be competition. Most will quit long before they ever really begin. Every problem has a solution – we just can’t see it.

Nothing is easy. Remember the sperm passage we went through – it was like a challenging military obstacle course and not the normal swimming race.

Depend on “know how” rather than “know who”. The latter is not sustainable.

Of course, we need some to attend the ivy league, but there will be many who – through determination, creativity and working smart – will make the grade.

Experience is key, and knowledge only becomes wisdom when it’s properly applied. Thus, learning from people who have been there through mentoring and coaching helps.

To be the best, one must come up to the razor’s edge, where the probability of failure is very high. At this point, everything is opposed by what you feel you should do.

Honesty and integrity are key. Live by your standards, principle and values. Our word is our bond. Protect our good name because it’s our best asset, and be God-fearing.

Don’t be judgemental – accept and appreciate and be emotionally mature. Never look down on others because there may be something useful that we can learn from them.

Never take our health for granted.

In this age of constant distraction, the one who focuses the best with persistence wins the game.

Can we nurture Malaysians to attain the riches of King Solomon or Jeff Bezos? Or the brains of Albert Einstein or Confucius? We have Mahathir – who’s next?

What say you? – July 5, 2019.

* Saleh Mohammed reads The Malaysian Insight.

* This is the opinion of the writer or publication and does not necessarily represent the views of The Malaysian Insight. Article may be edited for brevity and clarity.