February 11, 2002. An evening we will never forget.

For the Canadian and the Russian ice-skating teams, it was an evening of magical moments and possible dreams made reality, eventually turning into a nightmare. For the rest of us, we witnessed one of the most scandalous evenings ever in Olympian history.

By many experts, the Canadian couple gave a flawless performance with predictions of gold. Yet the Russian couple won the honor. An outcome uncovering "score fixing" among the judges ... marring the competition's results until an equitable solution was found.

QUESTION: How does this episode relate to your business? What does it have to do with "mindset alchemy?"

During the entire controversy, the Canadian couple powerfully mirrored the above MINDSET ALCHEMY principle. The same principle that drives your future business destiny. Let's look at these mindset alchemy lessons.

1. NEVER, NEVER, NEVER GIVE YOUR PERSONAL POWER AWAY TO OUTSIDE EVENTS. Jamie and David never gave away their personal power throughout the entire controversy. Despite the unethical judging, they shared with a TV interviewer that "score fixing" (over which they had no control) would not stop them from their dreams. They would return in 4 years and go for the "gold" once more.

2. NEGATIVE REACTIONS DRIVE NEGATIVE OUTCOMES. POSITIVE REACTIONS DRIVE POSITIVE OUTCOMES. Never getting caught up in bitterness or blame, the Canadian couple always responded with integrity, sincerity and respect, *especially* toward their greatest competitors, the gold medal winning Russian pair. Their positive reactions magnetized positive outcomes: their own gold medal, instant "celebrity status" and, ultimately, steps toward ice-skating judging reform.

3. DON'T LET OUTSIDE SUCCESS DEFINE YOU. TRUE GREATNESS COMES FROM WITHIN. Every time Jamie and David were in front of a TV camera, their inner convictions showed in their demeanor, their words and their actions. This couple knew their success was not defined by the color of a medal. It was defined by their deep belief in themselves and their visions.

Despite an intense week, Jamie and David modeled the power of MINDSET ALCHEMY. They CHOOSE to transcend outside circumstances and stay focused on their dreams rather than become victimized by them.

For this reason, regardless of outside circumstances, this couple is destined to greatness ... both on and off the ice. The same greatness waiting to be realized within YOU through the power of MINDSET ALCHEMY.

Denise Corcoran is a Master Business Coach, Strategic Consultant and Breakthrough Catalyst. Would you like to invigorate your mind, your business savvy and your creative juices with paradigm-shifting, breakthrough strategies and principles of today's superior businesses? Then subscribe to our monthly ezine - THE EMPOWERED BUSINESS^tm.