Examining the psychology of winning, we can compare life to a game, but it’s not like a game of football. In life there are no time-outs, no substitutions and the clock is always running. Most people think life is a practice game with the “big play” or “Super “Bowl” coming up at the end of the season. Only after years have slipped away do they realize that they were inextricably involved in the “big game” every day of their lives.
There are 3 types of players involved in the game of life:
First there are the Spectators. They are the majority who watch life happen as bystanders.
They avoid the main arena for fear of being rejected, ridiculed, hurt or defeated. They prefer not to get involved and would rather watch it happen on television. Most of all, the “spectators” in life fear winning. Winning carries the burden of responsibility and setting a good example. That’s too much of an effort for most. And so, they watch others do their thing.
Next there is another large mass of humanity called the Losers. By Losers we don’t refer the millions of hungry and destitute throughout the world. The losers are people in our abundant society who never win, for they would rather look like…, dress like…, have fun like…, earn like…, have a house like…, or be…someone else. You can always spot Losers by the way they envy or criticize others, or themselves.
Then there are Winners. A winner is not necessarily the student with all the A’s or the athlete with all the trophies. These are the few, who, in a natural free flowing way seem to get what they want from life. They put themselves together at work, at home and in the community. They set and achieve goals which benefit themselves and others. True winning is no more than one’s own personal pursuit of individual excellence. You don’t have to get lucky to win in life, nor do you have to knock other people down or gain at the expense of others. Winning is taking the talent or potential you were born with and using it fully towards a purpose or a goal that makes you happy.
Winning is becoming the dream of yourself that would fulfil you as a person.
Winning is giving yourself freely to others.
Winning is treating animals like people and people like yourself.
Winning is never whining.
Winning is picking up a beer can that you didn’t throw on the beach.
Winning is being glad you are you.
Winning is unconditional love.
Winning is an Attitude.
Talent is cheap. You can buy it and recruit it. It’s everywhere. The world is full of talented alcoholics. Education is not cheap, but its for sale. You can get your MBA or PhD. You can panel your den with diplomas. But the world is full of educated derelicts unable to relate to supportive roles for others. What you cannot buy is attitude. Attitudes are not for sale.
We are not born equal. Some are blessed and some are cursed. Equality is not nature’s way. Attitude is the answer. Your attitude towards your potential is either the key to or the lock on your door of personal fulfilment.
There are six attitudinal qualities that seem to be found in winning human beings. Six qualities of the Total Winner. Let’s look at them next.
Rhythm & Flow Tennis 