Winners in Training

We were watching our local football team, lose the game and my buddy said to me, “They are such losers.” I replied, “No, I think they are just winners in training.” We both laughed and we continued to watch the game, cheer and finally with seconds left and an interception killing our final chance of winning we left. Maybe next year.

Life is funny, we win at some things and we lose at others. When we talk about winners we focus on the difference between winners and losers, maybe we should also focus on the differences between winners and gracious winners. 

Some of us have learned to be gracious winners, some of us have learned to be winners. There is a difference between a gracious winner and a winner, just like there is a difference between a loser and a sore loser. I like to think that we are all “winners in training”. Every loss we face is helping us to understand our limitations and to test ourselves so we can do better next time. The biggest difference between a winner and a gracious winner is the conditioning of our subconscious mind.

A winner conditions their subconscious mind effectively toward their goals using positive thinking mixed with the powerful emotion of faith in self or faith in others. Many philosophers believe that we are the master of our own earthly destiny. We may become the master of ourselves, and of our environment because we have the power to influence our subconscious mind.

Persistent efforts will help you reach your goals, even if temporary failure comes your way, you will carry on with the same zeal and enthusiasm. A gracious winner, when faced with a temporary failure will try harder and when they win, give credit to those around them who helped them succeed. A winner thinks they did it on their own. 

Research suggests that certain healthy competitive environments help us perform better. But while a winner's high offers performance incentive, there's a risk that your self-esteem can become dependent on beating others.

Fierce or negative opposition causes anxiety that makes it hard for us to do our best. The key is to point out there can be fierce but positive competition.

If we want to become more gracious competitors and winners than the keys are cooperation and respect. Support and respect for each other all that is required.

To avoid some of the passive aggression that comes with winning, consider these tips for how to win gracefully at work.

·       Foster Collaboration. There's a reason collaboration has endured for so long.

·       Stay Humble.

·       Take the Me out of winning and put in the We  

·       Recognize Your Colleagues.

·       Keep Setting Goals as a team

·       Share the Wealth.