Winning Redefined

Anybody who has ever watched social media videos or seen all the angry, unhappy, disgruntled people knows that some people feel like they can't win. We're all exposed to others doing better in life and people doing far worse. When we see those people holding the brass ring, we often see a place in life we struggle to achieve.

Do we remember to do simple things like starting our days on a positive note? Or do we allow the failures and experiences of yesterday to control today? Hopefully, it's not the latter of the two. Being a "loser" is a choice that means dwelling on what you've done rather than what you want to do.

"Don't let what you cannot do interfere with what you can do."

-John R. Wooden, "Wizard of Westwood"

Very little that has been done can be undone. To dwell on the past is to anchor yourself to a place you can't escape from unless you choose to be different. If you feel like life has been kicking you, or you struggle to get things right, then you need a change in your life.

Getting motivated is hard to do, especially if there is a string of failures behind you. However, starting you begin your day you can make changes. When you open your eyes, you are a winner. Say it to yourself as soon as you open your eyes.

"I Win!"

The minute you wake up, you're a winner. Every day, when you wake up and open your eyes you're winning. You put your feet on the ground, and you stumble to your kitchen, your bathroom then your kitchen, and you start winning. Your eyes opened and you have another day to get things right.

People Believe They Can't Win For A Reason

People think they can't win for a reason. Most of the reasons people come up with are due to feelings of inadequacy or that they can't win because of who they are or perceived impossible circumstances they need to overcome. What is it that makes people believe they can't?

Low Self-Esteem: Many people struggle with low self-esteem and believe their abilities or worth aren't good enough. A negative self-perception often hiders a person's confidence and they can't see success in their future.

The trick to dealing with low self-esteem starts inside each one of us. We must put a higher value on what we contribute to our lives.

One of the most downtrodden television characters in history taught us a lesson. Married with Children's Al Bundy had a horrible job, horrible kids, and a wretched wife. Yet, he, like many people got up every morning, went to work, and provided for his often ungrateful family. The fact that he never left, he never stopped trying, and he didn't drive 100 miles an hour into a building, meant he was winning.

People should remember to be thankful and appreciate what they have, put a higher value on where they are, and pat themselves on the back for continuing down the hard roads.

Let It Go: You tripped, stumbled, and landed in "dog doo doo." Welcome to the human race. We were created as flawed and imperfect beings. Yet, previous setbacks and failures can alter your perception of yourself, your ability to succeed, and your overall well-being.

There's a movie scene that perfectly addresses the past. In the movie Cocktail, As people with sometimes painful pasts, this is the answer to escaping the past.

"Coughlin's Law: Bury the dead, they stink up the joint."

-Cocktail

Treat the past like the dead, and bury it. Just like the dead, you won't forget it, but you'll start putting distance between yourself and the distractions of the past.

Know Yourself: Getting to know yourself is important. It helps you to discern what you need, what you want, and what you can do. If you set unrealistic standards for yourself you are doomed to falter. By setting unattainable goals, you give yourself the chance to build up to where you hope to be someday. You have to be real with yourself about how much you can do in the time you have each day, what level your skills are at, and how to measure progress.

Forgetting external pressures to succeed, who are you inside? Are you a perfectionist? Then ask yourself, will your picture of a perfect life make you happy?

It's all about feeling like a winner. But, what will make you feel like you won is something worth considering. Maybe you are seeking something different than what's in your mind's eye.

Write down your goals. Then, write down what you see as obstacles to achieving your goals. Make sure you write them down in the order of priority. Then, you can cross obstacles off the list, as long as you are honest with yourself and address them.

What Is Missing From Your Winner's Circle

Look at your perfect life. Envision you're happy, you're a winner, and every day, no matter what you'll face, you'll feel good about your life. What's missing?

Eliminate all the factors that keep people from believing they can win, and look at what your fantasy life would be, and why that's what it looks like. Comparing that to the life you're living, what is it that you don't have that matters the most?

Do you see that piece of the puzzle you haven't figured out yet? That's your big win. That missing piece is the billion-dollar lottery win, the brass ring, the gold at the end of the rainbow, and the Stanley Cup all rolled into one.

Why haven't you got that part solved yet? The lack of confidence you allowed to grow inside you like cancer might have kept you from pursuing that dream. STOP LETTING IT GROW!!!

Remember, you're a winner, no matter how imperfect your life may seem. Maybe you only won the little championships of life. Tomorrow, when you wake up, you can still win the world championship. You have to choose the path your day will be on, and choose it well.

When you open your eyes, redefine winning. Start your day by acknowledging that you've woken up one more time, and have another opportunity to achieve everything you want.

Even if you've had a 30-year-long losing streak and your dream is to wake up with someone special, and feel not alone in the universe. Every time you wake up, you have a shot at finishing the puzzle of your life and winning that final prize. Every day you wake up, you've won one more chance at life. That's winning redefined.