Are You In It - To Win It?

Have you ever heard this? "It isn't whether you win or lose. It is how you play the game." I am sure you have. But do you know who said it? Some guy who came in second place!

You see, I have a problem with that statement. It presupposes, or at least strongly suggests that winning and playing the game "right" are mutually exclusive propositions. Perhaps we ought to have this as our goal as we pursue success: We want to win, while playing the game right! I totally disagree with the statement that we should win at all costs. Instead, we should do everything good that we can to win at this game we call life. And we ought also do all that we can to help others win.

With all of that... here are some thoughts on being in the game - to win!

Any "game" worth playing is a game worth pursuing a win in. If I get into a game, I play to win. What nobility is there is playing like a slacker? What virtue is purposeful mediocrity? None! I live my life to be a winner - Spiritually, financially, physically, emotionally, relationally - every area of my life! If it is worth doing, it is worth playing for the win!

It is good to win. We live in an age now where people have reacted to sore winners by saying that we shouldn't strive for winning. Many of our schools have abandoned the idea of competition, and our educational scores show that. Kudos to all of the teachers out there who still tell their kids that they can be winners! It is good and noble to win! It is something to strive for. It is good to push ourselves, to stretch and reach for victory. It is a grand thing to want to win!

There doesn't have to be a loser in life. Yes, in teamed competition, there are always losers (but more on that in a bit), but in life, you can all win! We can all strive for the best and give it our all to win.

Winners are the ones who move families, businesses, organizations, cities and countries ahead. Winners are the ones who push progress. You don't think that couch potato is the one who will cure cancer or open up the next great technology do you? No - it will be a person who has chosen to be a winner!

Losing can mean winning. Just because your score in a game or contest is the least at the end of the game doesn't mean all is lost. You can still be a winner in that you gave it your all, you competed at your highest level, you learned new skills and strategies, and you became a better player and person. That is winning in my book!

Winners help others win. That is right, good people, people who pursue winning by excellence, are also people who stop to help others so that they, too, can enjoy the spoils of victory. Pursue the win, but help others achieve all that they can as well! Winners make everyone better. When I get into athletic matches I want to play against the best. Yes, I may come up short in the score, but I will be better because that winner will make me grow in every area of my game! Winners stretch the losers so they can become winners too!

Questions for reflection:

Are you afraid of winning?

Do you think it is wrong to win?

Are you living each area of your life as though you are a winner?

Are you enjoying your wins?

Are you helping others win with you?

Friends, we need to be in the game of life full force! We need to be in it, and we need to be in it to win it!

About The Author:

Chris Widener is a popular speaker and writer as well as the President of Made for Success, a company helping individuals and organizations turn their potential into performance, succeed in every area of their lives and achieve their dreams.

To see Chris "live" at the upcoming Jim Rohn Weekend Event as he speaks on the subject of Secrets of Influence go to http://Chris-Widener.InspiresYOU.com/ or call 800-929-0434.

In The News:


pen paper and inkwell


cat break through


Moving Beyond Self-Sabotage

Self-sabotage is one key factor that keeps our business from... Read More

IF and WHEN

IF and WHEN were friends. Every week they met and... Read More

Quantum Success Thinking

It sounds simple- right? You are where you THINK you... Read More

The Five ?P?s of Self-Employment

The entrepreneur game is filled with an amazing variety of... Read More

10 Questions: Do You Have What It Takes?

Do you have what it takes to be really successful?Have... Read More

How To Stop Having Problems

If you are like me you have probably lost a... Read More

Its Your World--Own It

Hello,You are reading this article because you are one of... Read More

The One-Two Punch for Success: Authenticity and Alignment

Have you ever felt as if you are beating your... Read More

Beliefs and How They Shape Your Future

Have you ever had such thoughts like "I always fall... Read More

Adaptability as a Key to Success

Do you ever stop to consider how much we change... Read More

Success: The Slight-Edge Formula

Self-improvement; A great deal has been written on the subject,... Read More

Top Ten Strategies For Becoming Uncommonly Successful

Here are 10 of 26 proven strategies gleaned from interviews... Read More

Ingredients For Success

Management by Objectives, strategic planning, quality, teams, re-engineering. Passing management... Read More

Hows Work Going?

Think how often you see a friend or an acquaintance... Read More

We Become What We Think About

"A man's life is what his thoughts make of it."-... Read More

Easy Steps to Work-Life Balance

Knowing when to disconnect, shut it off, unplug, or walk... Read More

Failures: 2 Types 7 Reasons

We experience failure directly or indirectly. Here we will come... Read More

Blessing The Money You Spend

A young girl opens a birthday card from her grand... Read More

The True BMI of Success - What is the True Definition of Success?

The TRUE BMI of SUCCESS (B)e a (M)illionaire (I)ndexWhy am... Read More

Making a Favourable First Impression -- Seven Quick Tips

There's always a first time to meeting people. We want... Read More

How to Have an Amazingly Satisfying Year

I started taking stock of my year in 2002. I... Read More

It?s Sure to Succeed

There are "How to" seminars on virtually every business topic.... Read More

Listening - A Life Skill for Success!

When I decided to have my web site built, I... Read More

Success Involves Ignoring Critics

Critics can destroy or inspire you. Your own self critic... Read More

Bring on the Boosters!

Nobody becomes a success alone, period. There is no such... Read More

Are You An Expert At What You Do?

One of the most common refrains I hear from people... Read More

How To Get As Lucky As J. Paul Getty

J. Paul Getty appeared to be incredibly lucky, but it... Read More

7 Essential Body Language Tips

The secrets of our body language have been around forever... Read More

The Secret Behind All Great Masterpieces: Lessons Learned!

The ten-year period which followed the stock market crash of... Read More

Reach Your Goals - Using Eastern Wisdom

Take a page from Eastern wisdom Meditation, martial arts that... Read More

How To Use The Past, Future, And Present In Attaining Success

Did you know that your past, present, and future can... Read More

Success Through The Eyes Of A Child

Adults, with eyes to see, can learn so much about... Read More

Hip-Hop, Michael Phelps, and Peak Performance

I am unashamed to copy the peak performance techniques of... Read More