WINNERS, LOSERS
Winning
Business is mostly about winning.
This is why so many people, people that you know, who already have a ton of money, continue to sacrifice their health, well-being, and relationships in pursuit of work.
They have built the enviable habit of winning.
As Chicago sings on every classic rock station in America every single day since 1984, habits are hard to break.
I’m not against winning.
If you’re going to pin me down on it, yes, I would prefer to win.
I’m kind of okay with the idea that second place is really just the first loser.
Things That Are Hard to Win At
That said, I have discovered in my life that there are some things that are pretty hard to win at. And it’s perhaps counterproductive to even try.
In no particular order my short list of things that one cannot win at are:
1) Yoga
In case you haven’t noticed, there are neither opponents nor points in this game
2) Meditation
The healthiest approach to meditation seems to be:
Could get better
Could get worse
Could stay the same
3) Arguments with my wife
The aftermath of a win here completely defeats the purpose of winning in the first place
Losers
Some people are born losers.
You can spot them because they have “Born 2 Lose” tattoos.
Not many people have Born 2 Lose tattoos.
Practically speaking, regardless of what the tattoo is, it’s a loser play to tattoo one’s neck or hands.
Tattoos are best kept in places where the sun doesn’t shine. Or at the very least, where cuffs and collars cover.
Losing is mostly a parental injunction from the primary caregiver.
Which is a fancy way of saying that Jimmy’s mom had her own issues, the main issue being that she herself came from a long lineage of losers, and from a very early age she has constantly been reminding Jimmy that he is going to lose this game.
What this sounds like from the mouth of a mother is:
“You will never amount to anything.”
Or, “You’re a disgrace, just like your father.”
Or, “You disgusting little boy.”
Or, “Why are you so stupid?”
The last one, phrased as a question, is particularly tricky to answer, and comes from the same genre as “When did you stop beating your wife?”
The Big Loss
The fundamental difference between winners and losers is how each type handles winning and losing.
A winner takes defeat as a temporary obstacle on the path to winning, and a provocation to work harder to win next time. Inevitably this leads to winning.
A loser takes victory as an unexpected postponement of the inevitable loss. Inevitably this leads to losing.
The odd thing is, we all lose in the end. The Big Loss of our youth, health, relationships, and every single last piece of our stuff.
2017 draws to a close. We reflect on the year, rejoice at our wins, wince at our losses.
2018 is going to be better. We’ll do more of this. Less of that.
It’s nice to think so.
Let’s end with a joke.
You may have to think about this one for a minute.
Question: “How do you make God laugh?”
Answer: “Tell him your plans.”