Fill Your World With Icons

Posted on January 13, 2009 by Ronald T. Brown, Ph.D.

One way to create an environment to help propel you toward your dreams or potential is to fill your surroundings with various “icons” which represent and remind you of that dream.

An icon is an image, picture, or likeness that stands for and represents a certain object or idea. For example, in the Eastern Orthodox Church, the icon is generally a flat panel painting depicting a holy being or object such as Christ, Mary, saints, angels, or the cross. A religious icon may also be cast in metal, carved in stone, embroidered on cloth, done in mosaic work, or printed on paper or metal.

Icons serve the purpose of reminding us of that which is most important. As we pursue our dream, we can put pictures that represent our dream in our pocket, home, and office. We can also place quotes on walls and use symbolic objects which help keep us inspired and focused on the dream we have chosen to pursue.

A powerful example of how a simple icon can inspire an individual, or an entire team of individuals, is a wooden sign mounted on the brick wall outside the locker room of Notre Dame’s football team.  The sign reads, “Play Like A Champion Today.” The slogan “Play Like A Champion Today” is so synonymous with the University that the rumor is Father Edward Sorin, the school’s founder, received this quote as divine revelation back in 1842. While the exact origin of the slogan is not known, a tradition has developed over the years where each football player will hit the sign as they leave the locker room to make their way onto the football field for a game.

Former player Ryan Harris said of that sign, ”(Whenever I see it) I think ‘Why not? Why not today? Why not this game? Why not right now?’ ‘You came to Notre Dame to be a champion and every time I see it, I think ‘Why not?  Let’s go do it!’”

Carlyle Holiday recalls, “The guys take it seriously, so it meant a lot to me. I knew you had to come out with intensity when you hit that sign.”

Former Coach Lou Holtz adds, “Regardless of the won-loss record, regardless of the problems you have, when you walk out on that field you have an obligation to your teammates and the fans to play to the best of your ability - to play like a champion and to think like a champion. But, I also asked my players that every time they hit that sign, to think about all the sacrifices your family has made; your teammates made in high school; the sacrifices your teachers have made; and you also think of the thousands of people who would love to be in your position.  Just think about how fortunate we are. All of these thoughts should go through your mind when you hit that sign – ‘Play Like A Champion Today’.”

** That old wooden sign outside Notre Dame’s locker room has inspired many football players through the years to play at their highest level when they walked onto their football field. And we can place similar types of icons in our home, office, wallet, bathroom mirror, or wherever to remind us of our potential, and the need to remain faithful to the dream we have chosen to pursue.