It’s sports season! Schools are busy practicing and preparing for every tournament with the hope that this will be a winning season for their teams. In every competition, you can feel the intensity and hear the jubilation. As well, you can see the face of exhaustion and frustration.
As a basketball coach, I’ve heard people say that “fun” should be prioritized in competition rather than winning especially among young middle school students. But in my experience, players don’t find it fun to lose regardless of how you justify it. Most players want to have fun and win at the same time. Of course, it’s hard to enjoy defeat. It’s simply human nature!
Like sports, the competition in life is just as frequent and as tough. What’s the winning formula in sports and in life?
Believe you’re a winner
Believe you’re a winner. Why? Simply because you are. Every one is born a winner with special skills and talents. All have unique DNA for success. In the eyes of our Creator, you’re already a champion. We are all created for a purpose. It’s only a matter of knowing your purpose and trying to achieve them. It’s a matter of having a dream and having the courage to pursue it.
Aim high
Set high goals. Dream big. I don’t agree with having small dreams. Both small and big dreams need almost the same talent, focus, and creativity. The difference lies in the reward. If you achieve only one-quarter or one-half of your big dreams, you’ll end up with more satisfaction and contentment in life. So why aim low?
Start small
Some people can hardly succeed because they fail to start. They procrastinate, feel overwhelmed by the daunting task ahead, and avoid failure at all cost. The key is to start something small; a tiny start is the beginning of all great things. Start even if you have no definite plans, or no money, or no support from others. Start even if you haven’t figured out all potential risks.
Work smart
It’s good to dream. But to achieve it, you not only need to work hard but you also have to work smart. Every great accomplishment has a price tag. And you need to pay it with your sweat and persistence. Most of the time, you have to wake up early and sleep late. As well, use your imagination to simplify your strategies. Often, you have to think outside the box and defy the status quo. You can’t afford to follow conventional ideas if you want unconventional results.
Visualize success
In winning, physical effort is significant. But emotional preparation and mental rehearsal is just as vital. Even long before you achieve success, you have to visualize it in your mind. See yourself enjoying your elaborate dream home in an exclusive neighborhood. Feel the excitement of receiving an award while your family and friends surround you with their love. Hear the jubilant crowd chant your name as you hit the winning shot.
Prepare to win from losses
Despite effort, focus, mental rehearsal, and creativity, there’s no guarantee of winning. Competition can be tough. Regardless of results, try to “win” from every situation. Turn every loss into a win. A loss becomes victory if it enlightens, if it strengthens your resolve, if it gives new opportunities, if it motivates, if it teaches a lesson. Focus on what you learn and use it to propel you in achieving success.
In every endeavor, winning doesn’t only mean getting an award or placing first; it also involves changed attitude, improved confidence, and positive mind-set after every loss.