More Crowd Control

In the ring, it's just you and the opponent. Just you and everyone you let inside your head.

Trouble is, you can't shut out everyone. You'd never learn anything and therefore never improve. This means you'd likely never win.

Conversely, if you let in all the noise, you'll be filled w/ bad ideas and cluttered.

The solution is balance. Achieving this balance comes by learning to filter out the crap and let the good stuff through so you can find a place to use it. We achieve this by learning which information sources we can trust.

If everyone in the crowd says, "watch out," what do you do? If they're booing and telling you you're through - that cut is tool large. Do you believe them? What do they know about boxing? Furthermore, what do they know about what the Champ can do or what he knows?

They don't. They - meaning most of the people. But there are a few folks who have a very strong sphere of influence. You come to trust these people and if they lose faith in you - the results are absolutely devastating.

Trick is - to know yourself enough to press on. No one else is in the ring w/ The Champ. He has to know himself enough to make decisions based on himself. That's how they win. Furthermore - no one else can know who The Champ is blocking and who he's listening to. It's part of the strategy.

This is also part of the fight from within. Sometimes the people we used to listen to aren't worth listening to anymore because we've achieved beyond the help their perception lent us. We must simply block them out and move on.

It's important, out of the ring, to remain respectful and thankful for their help along the way. No matter what - The Champ wouldn't be here or as successful and strong as he is. And for that, any of us ought to be eternally grateful.