I t can be a great feeling to dominate in competition. Winning decisively so that it is clear just how good we are, whether in tennis, bridge, or in our career, can seem pretty wonderful. Sometimes the old saying captures how we feel, “winning isn’t everything, it’s the only thing.”
There are also times when we feel bad for the competition, especially if it is a child, a friend, or a well-liked relative. At one time or another most of us have experienced the wish, and even taken the actions, to lose on purpose. Consequently, we can end up feeling like a winner because of the joy the victory brings to our opponent, especially if it is a child. After all, would you really want to continue to compete if you knew that your continuous victories would bring frustration and dismay to someone you care about?
Most of us have also been in circumstances where winning just seems too easy. In competition when victories come with little challenge, we can find ourselves unmotivated, complacent, and losing interest. Continuous winning can become so routine that it loses much of its value to everyone involved.
An inspiring example of how the experience of losing can actually restore the value of winning can be found in the story of the 2000 U.S. Women’s Olympic Softball Team. As the defending Olympic Gold Medal winners, the U.S. team was expected to win easily. In the words of one of the players, Lisa Fernandez, “I thought we were going to come through and show how dominant U.S. softball was.”
Consider the facts. The team had:
- Won the 1996 Olympic gold medal
- Eight players returning from the 1996 team
- Just completed an international tour and won all 60 of their scheduled games
- A winning streak going into the Olympics of an incredible 110 straight victories.
Looking to the 2000 Olympics, one might have easily . . . yawn . . . thought it would be a . . . yawn . . . cakewalk . . . a kind of “so what” victory. After all, they always win, don’t they? Well it didn’t turn out that way. After beating Canada 6–0 and Cuba 3–0 in the first two games, they proceeded to lose three consecutive games to Japan, China, and Australia. This formerly dominant team was on the brink of elimination. They needed two consecutive clutch victories to even have a chance at a medal. And they would have to face all three of the teams that had beaten them to have a shot at the gold. Suddenly the “cakewalk” had turned into a heroic battle for survival.
How did they respond? Did they throw in the towel? No, they instead used their losses to stage an even greater victory. First, they banded together and took a symbolic group shower in their uniforms to wash away the “voodoo curse.” And then they played as hard as they could, focusing on every single pitch, out, and at bat. They proceeded to win five straight victories to recapture the gold medal. Overnight, the unbeatable, always win, “should I even bother to play” Americans had become the heroic “comeback kids.” And the fanfare from the media, fans, and the team itself was far greater than anyone imagined it would be. Most everyone seemed to agree that the victory in 2000 significantly surpassed that of 1996.
After losing, this team was ultimately able to win at a whole new level. Their story serves as a reminder to us all that when things are going poorly . . . when we seem to be losing in a bad way . . . we don’t need to be demoralized and give up. Things can turn around if we give it our all and persevere. Our temporary loss may just be a prelude to a much sweeter victory in the end.
So remember, sometimes your losing can be a gift to a child or friend that allows them to experience joy and confidence because of their victory. And sometimes when you lose at first but persevere and try your best to turn things around, your ultimate victory can be all the greater. Sometimes when you lose, you win.
Persevere in the face of a short-term loss . . . it could be the prelude to an even greater victory in the end.
Good Morning!
