Tag: losing

The fear of losing is holding you back

People fear losing so much that they end up losing. Everyone wants to be rich, but they are so afraid of possibly losing money, that they don’t invest. They lose out on reaching their potential because they play it too safe. It’s like the saying goes, everyone wants to go to heaven, but no one wants to die. But if you don’t die, you can’t go to heaven. You are going to have ups and downs in life, you’re going to have failures and setbacks. But if you avoid risk altogether, you’re also avoid reaping the best rewards and guaranteeing that you won’t reach your full potential.

No risk = no reward.

Thoughts on competing

I love competition. It just makes me happy. Some of my favorite college memories are from competing…in basketball games, beer pong tournaments, and fitness competitions (like the “Most Fit Buckeye” competition and doing out-of-state Tough Mudders). I remember doing a CrossFit-style working out and trying to beat my friend across a finish line. We both dove across a basketball gym floor (and the imaginary finish line) trying to beat each other. We probably looked ridiculous to other people at the rec center. I don’t know who won, but I know that we both laid on the floor and died laughing.

Whenever I can, I always try to win. But if I lose, I don’t let it ruin my day. I think this is a healthy measure of competitive spirit. It might have held me back from some success according to outside measures, but internally, it is what is most satisfying for me. If I lose, as long as I tried my hardest and lost, I’m usually OK with it. I look back at things and try to figure out what I need to improve on and how I can get better so that I will win next time, but that is the competitor side in me. I don’t let it ruin my day or get under my skin. I’m not going to be a bad sport about it.

Be grateful for all that you have, including the ability to compete. Many people don’t have the same opportunities as you have, and that is a reason to be grateful.

On winning

Part of winning is not being afraid of losing, of looking dumb, of not being “the best” at something…you have to keep pushing your limits. If you want to continue winning in life, you must always be learning and improving. You may be naturally good at certain things, but if you don’t work to improve your game, everyone around you will catch and surpass you.

Get comfortable being uncomfortable. Don’t let fear overcome you. Just go out and get to work.

Let your past make you better, not bitter

Let your past make you better, not bitter. ​
Let your past make you better, not bitter.

Things don’t always go our way. Sometimes people have wronged you intentionally. Sometimes they’ve wronged you accidentally. Sometimes it could be chalked up to being young and stupid. Other times it could be attributed to them being spiteful, prejudiced, or racist.

No matter what the reason, use your past to benefit you. At the very least, you can say what doesn’t kill you makes you stronger…

Find the silver lining in all situations and learn to forgive, but not forget.

This too shall pass

“This too shall pass.”

Tell yourself this often to stay level headed. Tell yourself this in good times and in bad. Make sure that you’re doing the right thing today to set yourself up for a better future tomorrow.

Just because things are good today doesn’t mean that they will remain good tomorrow. If you get lazy and don’t follow through with your duties then things will turn around for you in a way that you don’t want.

The same is true if things are bad today. It will get better, but only if you’re doing the right things to correct your situation. Don’t just give up. Losers throw their hands up in the air and give up. Winners know when to cut their losses, when to pivot, and when to try again.