G'Day From Downunder

We've had an extended break since the last article so let's get the kettle on, have a strong cuppa tea and do a bit of a catching up.

This month is what they call footy finals month; that is in Australian Rules football, which is not to be confused with soccer or your American Gridiron game. Aussie rules was originally inspired by Gaelic Football.

It is almost impossible not to get caught up in all the hype that surrounds the game.

Whereas you might expect to see the back pages of national papers give the sport credence how about the front page?

The sport inspires many editorials and as much as the last 14 to 20 pages of coverage in a paper.

Now tell me the Aussies aren't fanatical about their sports. If you then add hours and hours of TV time, plus radio it's enough to drive a sane man to drink - if you're not a footy fan (or already drinking).

So I, like everyone else, as they say in the classics was 'led like a lamb to the slaughter,' compelled to indure an over abundance of footy; which set me off thinking as I watched one of the preliminary finals.

This one was between Carlton, a Melbourne team, and the Lions, a Brisbane-based team.

For the record the Lions won 16 goals and 15 points (111) to Carlton 15 goals and 14 points (104).

The Lions go on to the next phase of the finals and Carlton drop out for another year.

What's the point of me giving you the result of a preliminary footy final half way around the world (you may well ask)? It was not the game that got my attention so much as the attitude of the players.

You see, Carlton were winning by 6 goals just ten minutes into the last quarter and then lost the plot; I suppose you could say they dropped the ball or others might say their bundle.

Then I asked myself why did they allow this to happen? Why did they virtually lie down and roll over after playing twenty-two games over the season and winning their way to the finals.

At the first hurdle Carlton threw it all away; I just couldn't figure out why anyone or the team would put so much effort into reaching the final and then freeze.

What is it that stops some from stepping over the line when others dash to it and suck in the challenge as if it were their last breath?

I believe its all down to one word: 'Attitude'! You can have all the talent in the world but if you haven't that magic word 'Attitude' you will never cross that line.

It happens in all team sports. Some years ago I travelled to Twickenham (in London) to watch my favourite team, Munster, play rugby union in the European cup final. They lost by one point.

I had the fortune to interview Ireland's iconic first super sportsman Ron Delaney on the 50th anniversary of that historical Olympic 150-meter Gold Medal win of his.

In our conversation he told me that on that historic day in Melbourne in the 1956 Olympics as he strode every step of the way he could see no one pass him on that line; he had made his mind up that the medal was only going to go to him and no one else.

He had already seen himself win before he took the first step; that's what I'm talking about, 'Attitude'!

So many people work so hard and put in so much only to give up with that finish line in sight.

I believe, in sport and in life, that general attitude is everything!

If you train hard in sport and lack the attitude you may as well not even bother turning up.

In your personal life it is the same. Your attitude has you where you belong. Good attitude equals success, bad attitude equals failure.

Lots of brains plus university degrees with bad attitude is no different, it still equals failure.

Look how supposed brains plus a University degree and a bad attitude got us into the financial mess the world is in now.

On the other hand it will take people with practical experience and a good healthy positive attitude (not necessary brains and diplomas) to get the world out of the mess that the brains and bad attitude got us into.

Now ask yourself where do you fit into the picture? Is your attitude positive or negative? ... Come on, be honest with yourself, no one is looking over your shoulder. Are you where you are in life because of circumstances or because of your attitude? Not sure?

Let me start the ball rolling I am where I want to be in life and while I haven't achieved all of my ambitions I have achieved most and I will complete the outstanding ones before I go to meet my Maker.

On that day I will be totally comfortable that I gave this life and the opportunities that came my way, my very best shot.

I will have no regrets, I won't be saying I could have or should have tried this or that, if only?

There will be no "if only" in my last words. Will it be the same for you or will you be like me? Or are you not getting the most out of life because of your Attitude? If so change it! Do you see yourself as a Carlton or a Lions player? One goes forward and the other one back.

Yes, there were two teams on the pitch that night; one team went like the Japanese Bullet train for the line and the other sadly was left wondering what if or if only?

I could not even think of the possibilities of a what if. Yes, I know there has to be winners and losers but it's their attitude that's different and that's what makes winners and successful people.

Hey are you listening? I'm talking to you, get your attitude right and I promise you will smell the sweet smell of success for yourself.

On a different note, my son Jonathan and his girlfriend Kris are in New York this week and no doubt having a social catch up with Paddy McCarthy down in Eamonn's Bar & Grill, so if you happen to see them don't be shy, say hello to them and they might give you a Koala.

I have had many requests for interviews from prominent people in Australia and elsewhere. I have just arranged to meet with the CEO of Qantas Airlines, the safest airline in the world, who just happens to be Irish. Watch this space!

Thank you for letting me bend your ears for a while. Until I talk to you again, be good to those who love you and Slainte from Downunder!

Tell me about it on mike.globefins@westnet.com.au