Winning: If you don't take part, you're going to fail

One minute I am clapping and cheering and the next I am counting down from twenty screaming at the TV “HOLD, DAMN IT!” willing Anthony Joshua to remain on his feet.

I think I felt every emotion as I watched AJ win his fight on Saturday. Part of me, if I am completely honest had begun preparing myself for a loss after he was knocked down. Coming back into the ring, he was unsteady, and his body language had changed. He was hurt; probably for the first time in his career he had finally met his match.

I’ve been an Anthony Joshua fan ever since I saw his fine self win gold at the London Olympics. He really is a pleasure to look at, but what really appealed to me was his behaviour in and out of the ring. He’s the type of sports personality that you want your child to look up to, as he is the definition of hard work, determination and now ultimately success.

I have spent most of my career speaking with Graduates and Consultants who are blinded by the recruitment dream. There are many who are told and believe that the recruitment industry will reward them a six figure salary, exclusive all expense paid trips to destinations like the Caribbean, Vegas or Dubai, buy them their first Ferrari and propel them to director level with a basic to match the title within five years.

The reality when looking at their personal achievements, and billings is that they probably don’t have what it takes to get there. Don’t get me wrong; I’m not saying it isn’t possible, as I am sure we all know someone in Recruitment that has achieved just that. The difference, however, is that those who have achieved this success in recruitment apply what is needed to win.

On Saturday we witnessed what it takes to win. Heart over mind and sheer determination. All that hard work got AJ to that exact moment in his life. After his knockdown AJ was tired and hurt, a wiser fighter was schooling him. Even though AJ was still standing, he was losing by points. He was slowly recovering, but he just wasn’t landing any decent shots. By the end of the 10th round it was evident that the only way he could ensure a win was if he finished Wladimir Klitschko in the next round.

The 11th round had me up on my feet again screaming with excitement. Had the ref not stopped the fight, AJ probably would have knocked Klitschko out cold. He needed to drag this fight over the line, and that’s exactly what he did. Did you see the change in him? It was great and everything you would expect from the Heavy Weight Champion of the world.

In order to achieve such success in life you need to have the same drive and motivation to win. Wanting to win, and actually winning, are two completely different things. First of all you have to actually believe that you can win and then do what it takes to get you there. Sacrificing what needs to be sacrificed to get there.

The work he put in to ensure he won that fight was immense. To be as strong and fast as he is takes years of hard work and that hard work became his life. You can’t have success without hard work. I guess that’s what people take for granted and what such an epic fight reminds you. Anthony Joshua is just an ordinary guy who managed to get his life together and become one of the best in his field. His win on Saturday summed up the struggle one must face in order to achieve such a goal. Without the struggle there is no win. Boy did he come back strong at the end of that struggle.

So what does it take to be part of the elite in recruitment?

Discipline; the best version of you needs to show up for work day in and day out and focus and strive towards achieving your goal. Don’t expect to go out drinking on Wednesday or Thursday night and expect to be your sharpest the next day.

Determination; you need to be determined to succeed as you will face a clown a day and ask yourself whether or not you made the right decision

Ambition; you can never settle for less, you have to want to be the best and also strive for the best. As soon as your market place recognises you as a reputable recruiter you’re half way there.

Resilience; I know everyone always says it, but you really do have to be resilient in order to make it. No matter how many times you get hit or knocked down you have to keep going.

Persistence; be persistent, keep improving and keep trying. Everyday you get better and everyday you will get closer to that goal. Just don’t give up.

Show up and work hard; it goes without saying. Hard work pays the bills and creates success. It doesn’t matter what else you do if you are not prepared to go the extra mile you will not win no matter what anyone else says. Again you have to show up, haven’t you heard? Recruiters don’t get sick and they hardly take time off work.

Dedication doesn't stop at 6pm – just because the clock has stopped, doesn’t mean your day has. Regardless of what time is on your contract, working outside of these hours, and sacrificing your personal time are what will make a difference to your P60 at the end of the financial year.

Aim for perfection in your craft – much like AJ, you might not get paid a lot to begin with, but ultimately money always tends to follow people who aim for perfection in what they do. After the fight he earned a reported ￡15m pay day, with new sponsors clamouring for his image rights. If you perfect your craft, the money will follow you in the same way.

Stay humble; for every successful person you meet, there will be a team of people around him or her that contributed to their success. Never forget those around you that helped you achieve your success. Be it back office, a manager or trainee. Without them you probably would have succeeded just not in the same way.

Consistency; you’re only as good as your last deal. Never take your foot off the gas.

Some will say this is standard knowledge but in my experience it doesn’t seem to be. There are so many in the recruitment industry who think that by turning up and working their contracted hours they are going receive all of the perks. The truth is, someone might hand you an opportunity in this industry, but no-one is going to hand you the keys to that Ferrari for doing the ordinary.

So, if Recruitment is for you and you want to be part of the elite, be prepared to work hard. Wake up every morning and strive to be the best version of yourself. Life is genuinely what you make of it, it doesn’t matter how many times someone might tell you that you can or cant do something, unless you believe it, it will make no difference to the outcome. You can be whomever you want to be, you just need to believe you can do it and show up for yourself.

In the words of AJ; “I’m not perfect, but I am trying and if you don’t take part, you’re going to fail”.

Quite right.