The Winner

If you think you are beaten, you are;
If you think you dare not, you don't;
If you'd like to win, but you think you can't,
It's almost a cinch you won't.

If you think you'll lose, you've lost,
For out in the world you find
Success begins with a person's will,
It's all in the state of the mind.

If you think you're outclassed, you are;
You've got to think high to rise;
You've got to be sure of yourself,
before you can ever win the prize.

Many a race is lost before a step is run;
And many a coward fails before ever his work's begun.
Think big and your deeds will grow;
Think small and you'll fall behind;
Think that you can and you will,
It's all in the state of the mind.

Life's battles don't always go
To the stronger or faster person:
But sooner or later the person who wins
Is the person who thinks he can.

~ Walter D. Wintle