Friday Review: Winning
How do you define “winning”? Here are a few winning-related posts you may have missed.
“There is nobility in the struggle; you don’t have to win.”
“The man who runs may fight again.”
Tag Archives: winning
“The man who runs may fight again.”
“The man who runs may fight again.”
—Menander, 2nd Century BC Greek dramatist
Image from Unsplash by Raul Cacho Oses
From an early age, we are repeatedly exposed to messages such as: “Be brave!”, “Never Give Up!”, “Winners never quit and quitters never win!”. There are countless stories, shows, and movies that play off the “feel good” tale of victory and coming out on top.
I’m all for being an optimist on most occasions, however, many times a far more realistic and objective perspective may be the wiser way to go.
What fights and battles are occurring in your professional and personal worlds? Where do you see progress and have a sense of hope that you will prevail? In what situation do you feel and know deep down that it’s time to “fold’em,” like a losing poker hand?
EXERCISE:
How would using your head, heart, and gut help you know when it is time to run versus stand your ground, so that you may fight another day?
A Warrior does not need to prove
“In order to have faith in his own path, a warrior does not need to prove that someone else’s path is wrong.”
—Paulo Coelho, Warrior of the Light
If you are a loyal reader of The Quotable Coach, or even if you are somewhat new to this resource, I’m sure you have surmised that I am a win-win, positive, and life affirming individual.
For me, looking at what is right and what is possible inspires me to be a coach and support others in pursuing extraordinary lives for themselves.
I do, however, get discouraged at times, particularly when I see how often some people think that in winning the game of life for themselves, others must lose or be proven wrong.
EXERCISE:
How can you tap into your own warrior spirit to achieve what you desire, without needing to vanquish your foe, or prove others wrong in the process?
There is Nobility in the Struggle
“There is nobility in the struggle; you don’t have to win.”
—Sharon Pollock, Canadian Playwright
For many people, winning is the only thing that counts. Just look at how our society celebrates success in all forms of personal and professional pursuits. Who won the Gold? Who is “The Best”? Who is first in their class, or first in this race or that contest?
Consider all the upset, frustration, and discouragement this causes when people fall short of the mark. This is always the case, even for those who reach the very top, and is related to the Law of Impermanence, with its inevitable ups and downs.
EXERCISE:
Where in your world would celebrating your noble efforts and struggles be the source of winning the daily game of life?
What’s Important Now
“W.I.N. – What’s Important Now”
—Author Unknown
Image from behappy.me
When people enter a coaching relationship and set their course on a better professional and personal life, winning, or their definition of winning, is the goal.
What does winning the game of life mean to you? What would you like to improve? What new areas would you like to explore? What obstacles and barriers would you eliminate or overcome?
One of the primary reasons we don’t always achieve all that we desire is because we become distracted by unimportant matters that take up too much time.
EXERCISE:
Let’s say that the 80/20 rule is a fact, and that 20% of what we do each day that we consider important produces 80% of our desired results.
What winning results could you produce if you would focus 40%, 60%, 80%, or ultimately 100% of your efforts on what is most important? Do the math!
“It is always your next move.”
“It is always your next move.”
—Napoleon Hill, American writer one of the great writers on success
Photo from Flickr by Wyoming Jackrabbit
Do you play board games or video games? How about other types of games?
If you do, you know that what keeps us engaged is the goal of winning, and celebrating each achievement along the way.
What about the game of life, where professional or personal achievement is the goal? Sometimes when we feel stuck or stopped, when we become frustrated or discouraged, we forget that our next move might be the one that shifts the world for the better.
EXERCISE:
Notice where you are stopped, stuck, or plateaued in your professional or personal life. Explore and courageously choose to make your next move in at least one area, toward a more desirable future.
Feel free to reply to this post and let me know what happens.