What does winning mean to you? 

Imagine that your team wins a game or that you receive a blue ribbon at an individual competition. Whether that win translates to a coveted title, qualification for a higher competition, or personal progress towards your goals, it is always something to celebrate. Wins come in all different forms, and they’re not always viewed in the same light by everyone. For example, a gymnast who is struggling with their back handspring could feel as if they experienced a win at a competition where they nailed the movement during their routine but received third place in their category. Another gymnast in the same exact scenario could view their performance as a win only if they received first place at the competition. Although many people would not typically categorize the third placing of the gymnast as an example of a true win, the definition of and meaning behind a win is subjective. Winning does not always equate to coming in first place; it ultimately depends upon your personal view of your own successes.   

Success does not always have to be defined by a win on paper. It’s easy to get caught up in the notion towards gaining blue ribbons and gold medals, but the athletes who received those awards are not the only athletes who are winning. Wins could be achieved in daily practices through gaining a brand-new skill, or even off the court or field, such as giving a sound presentation in class. You could even still feel as if you won in a game that your team lost. There is an immense pressure from the public eye for athletes and performers to be constantly winning competitions. The audience may only view your performance during competition, but only you know what has gone into your long-term sport journey. If you felt as if you made progress during your performance, then that classifies as a win; the blue ribbon is only the icing on the cake.

The lack of a match win, trophy, or gold medal does not always determine a true loss. External wins come and go, but the meaning behind each win is potent for the reasons behind why we engage in this specific activity in the first place: to win competitions or to learn and become better. Relying on external wins as your only measure of success will only discourage you and distract you from the immense progress you’ve made in your sport over time. Pay attention to the process rather than the outcome and notice how accomplished you feel whether you get the win or not.

Take some time to answer these questions for yourself. When victory strikes, how do you interpret your success? Is it the feeling of pride from getting the trophy or from reaching a personal goal? When competing, do you strive to win, or do you strive to learn? When you don’t win the game, how does that make you feel? If you want to dig deeper and explore this topic further for yourself, please reach out!