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.

---

How to Use Your Pain to Gain

Pain. All of us have felt that emotion some time... Read More

The Human Instincts

The gambling instinct is in every man or woman. All... Read More

The Honor Roll of Life

All too often, people pursue a vision of material success... Read More

Failures: 2 Types 7 Reasons

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

Achieving Success with Authentic Joy: 12 Reflections

Success begins with a personal dream that is bigger than... Read More

Reach Your Goals - Create A Soundtrack

Choose a personal theme song and soundtrack that stirs you... Read More

Success: By The Numbers

What is "success"? Why does it seem everyone wants "success"?... Read More

Reach Your Goals - Make A Game Out Of It

Make a game out of reaching your goals Go to... Read More

We Become What We Think About

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

7 Dynamic Strategies for Creating a Life that Works

Everyone wants a life that works effectively, whether that means... Read More

How To Begin Your Journey To Success

Becoming successful requires a lifestyle change. It requires that you... Read More

Healthy Wealthy Wise: Boost Your Productivity

We all strive for a 'balanced life'. Although we may... Read More

Mind is the Forerunner of All States

Our lives and the circumstances we live in are largely... Read More

Fear of Success? Fear of Failure?

What's holding you back?One of my clients came to me... Read More

The 2-Word Phrase That Conquers Adversity and Breaks Through Obstacles

"All the adversity I've had in my life, all my... Read More

It is a Challenge to Succeed

(excerpted from The Challenge to Succeed audio series)It is a... Read More

Transform Your Fear Into Focus!

The greatest deterrent to success in life is fear. It... Read More

Learning From Your Mistakes

Your ability to deal constructively and effectively with mistakes and... Read More

Defining Success

I'll be the first to admit that everyone has his... Read More

Magical Houseplants

Whenever I'm feeling stuck in a rut, I go out... Read More

How to Always Get Whatever You Want

Do You Know You Have the Power to Harness Huge,... Read More

The #1 Success Secret of All Time

From time to time I receive correspondence from individuals with... Read More

Paying Attention

Being a spiritual teacher has continually frightened me. Not because... Read More

Fanning the Flames of Passion -- Reconnecting With Life

Imagine you are a fire. Fires burn at different levels... Read More

8 Dos and Donts When Asking Your Boss for a Raise

Feeling overworked and underpaid? If you're starting to feel like... Read More

Winning: Defining It - Achieving It

If you ask most people whether they would like to... Read More

Life 101 For the Young and Young at Heart! Book Excerpt

Lesson 1. Category Well Being Plan to do this.Stop blaming... Read More

Who Is Dietrich Mateschitz?

Hope you're having a GREAT Day!Last night I was reading... Read More

Getting Comfortable with Being Uncomfortable

They say that if you really want to stretch yourself... Read More

Unlock The Key To Your Success By Learning More About Yourself

Finding balance is deciding to notice what goes on in... Read More

10 Compelling Reasons to Stop Singing the Blues

Are you:- feeling unfulfilled and dissatisfied with your life?- ready... Read More

Top Seven Ideas For Success

1. Any work activity, unless initiated at the earliest will... Read More

Evaluating Your Associations (Part One)

If you were to evaluate the major influences in your... Read More