You Don’t Have to Win to Win

I was determined to post today to mark the first day of the second half of 2024. Yep, time for a check-in on how 2024 is really going.

Recently, I have suffered writer's block! Yet, it’s been a good time to take a back seat, reflect and get myself back to stuff that I love to do.

In a world driven by results, it's easy to get caught up in the idea that success is about crossing the finish line first. We regularly measure our achievements by tangible outcomes: promotions, awards, or winning competitions. Yet, the journey, the growth, and the lessons learned along the way are equally if not as important.

When I heard MasterChef Judge Poh Ling Yeow declare “You Don’t Have to Win to Win” in the debut episode of season 16 of MasterChef Australia, I was like eureka! That’s a quote to get me started.

Winning makes us feel good; like we've accomplished something worthy. But how many times do we take time to self-reflect and self-improve?

Think of athletes preparing for a marathon. The months of rigorous training, discipline and overcoming personal limits are invaluable experiences. Even if they don't win the race, they've gained endurance, resilience, and a deeper understanding of their capabilities. This journey molds them into a stronger individual, equipped to handle future challenges.

It's okay to lose. It builds character, shows us how to keep on when the going gets tough, and teaches us that we are always stronger than we think we are. As His Airness Michael Jordan says:

"If you're trying to achieve, there will be roadblocks. I've had them; everybody has had them. But obstacles don't have to stop you. If you run into a wall, don't turn around and give up. Figure out how to climb it, go through it, or work around it.”

Setbacks and failures are often viewed negatively, but they can be powerful learning opportunities. Each obstacle we face teaches us something new - about the task at hand, about others, and, most importantly, about ourselves. Embracing these challenges and learning from them can be more rewarding than the final victory.

The problem with constantly winning, however, is that we never have to face our fears. Those with the ability to look deep into themselves and find ways to address their failures are the ones who ultimately succeed.

Your journey, regardless of the outcome, can inspire others. Sharing your experiences, the highs, and the lows, can motivate others to pursue their goals with determination. Your story can be a testament to the fact that the pursuit of excellence is worthwhile, even if it doesn't lead to conventional "winning."

Failure isn't so bad. It teaches us how to be humans who can carry the weight of the world on our shoulders!

What has been a recent failure and what did you learn from it?

*If you are answering this for an interview think of the S-T-A-R Methodology: Situation, Task, Action, Result