How many of us have heard the expression? This is commonly accredited to Pierre de Coubertin, who is the man who revived the modern olympic games in 1896. We use this phrase to console children and to be consoled. But is it actually right?
Now I am not advocating bad sportsmanship or bad losers as there is nothing worse. Tantrums, self justification and the vapour of sour grapes in the air is a most ugly scenario. But the idea that any sportsman goes into an event thinking its just the taking part that counts astounds me. A good example was the Australian Cricket team of 2005 who lost the Ashes. They were sporting, gracious and played the game as it should be played, but if you were to ask any one of them if they were there to win, you would only get one answer!!
You would think that the Bible would back up Coubertins basic ideal, but quite the opposite. 1 Corinthians 9:24 shows the apostle Paul saying 'run in such a way as to get the prize.' We should not compete for the experience, for a personal best, for the ego trip, recognition or the sake of competing. We should compete to win. In the Olympics, some badminton were sent home for not competing properly as losing would make their path to the final easier. There is something fundamentally wrong if we are competing not to win.
So, rant over, how can we compete to win- some quick points:
- Train well. Develop habits, lifestyle and things that will build into your life.
- Take it seriously. If you are involved in things that don't really matter to you, stop. Concentrate your efforts on those things that are important.
- Invest time in a coach. Find people who want the best for you, bring out the best in you and believe the best of you. Although they may say things you don't want to hear, they are cheering you on.
- Surround yourself with winners. If all the people round you say you cant do it or tell you how they failed, do you know what, chances are you will fail. We don't go to bankrupts for financial advise or someone who has crashed three cars, in as many days, for driving lessons. Take advise from people who have been successful in the areas you feel are important. (see my two fathers blogs)
- Don't give up. Someone once defined failures as 'people who gave up not knowing how close they were to success'. After many years working with people, I have found that quitting is easier than competing. In sport, in finance, in career, in marriage, in education, in life!! No matter how bleak it seems at times, keep going and keep on keeping on.
- Celebrate achievement. Its easier to see the negative when we fail but lets change our mindset and celebrate regularly. All the gold medals in the Olympics are great to see and some athletes have been spurred on by the success of others. Set lots of small goals to take you to the big goals and celebrate them all. Its surprising how this will help you in tougher times and those around you.
Please hear my heart, life is for living, enjoying and bringing fullness to our lives and others. Its not to just exist or just to take part in the human race. Be encouraged, remember we are in a marathon not a sprint.
Enjoy the rest of the Olympics, when it finishes, football season starts. Happy days (but not for Jill)
Tim
