How did he know that he was The Greatest?

Muhammad Ali was The Greatest. Period. If you just asked him, he'd tell you. He'd tell you he was the double greatest, that he'd “handcuffed lightning, thrown thunder into jail.” Talk about having confidence, and the lessons that we can learn from this seemingly cocky, overconfident, overzealous champ. Ali,  by his own account once declared, "I am America, the part you won't recognize. But get used to me - black, confident, cocky; my name, not yours; my religion, not yours; my goals, my own. Get used to me."

His life, now his legacy of being The Greatest, started by him telling himself that he was. Then he allowed his trash talking, attitude, and thoughts about being a winner to guide his life. He exemplified this never quit, never back down attitude throughout his life. I'm sure at some point he doubted himself. But once you tell yourself that you're The Greatest, it's not much room left in your head for any negative or self-doubting thoughts.

What are you telling yourself? 

Ali told himself that, "I float like a butterfly, sting like a bee." So his feet and hands just followed through.

He was an amazing model of a champion both in and out of the ring. Thank you for being such a great example. Thank you for reminding us that we are what we tell ourselves. May you rest in peace knowing that your legacy will live forever. We will continue to reverence you in our hearts, to our children and future generations as The Greatest of all times.

Well done Ali!

 References for article - Time Magazine, President Barack Obama.