Timothy J. O'Brien

The Best Type Of Winning Has No Loser

A superior type of winning is to be in competition with oneself -- to set internal priorities and goals based on previous performance and future expectations.

"I'm a reverse paranoid. I always believe that the world is plotting to do me some good." W. Clement Stone.

 And the irrepressible Mr. Stone is successful in insurance and publishing beyond most people's dreams. He is a winner!

Do you consider yourself a winner? We each must define winning in our own terms. However, equating winning with the successful reaching of goals, the realization of priorities and the positive resolution of problems, is a good general definition.

 The value of victor/loser winning diminishes when the winner harbors egotistical feelings of superiority. Here, one person stands tall, by stepping on another. This is inferior winning. It pits people, groups and organizations against each other.

 Then there's the winning that bestows mutual benefits on all who participate; this is the popular "win-win" solution.

 A superior type of winning is to be in competition with oneself -- to set internal priorities and goals based on previous performance and future desires and expectations.

 With this type of winning, we compare ourselves to others only for feedback. Are we improving as expected and planned? Are we on schedule to reach our goals for the quarter or year?

 Personal winning does not call for the defeat of anyone. It strives for continuous improvement from the person involved.

 We each have the choice of how we set up our sense of competition. We can set our targets on surpassing another person or group. Or, we can set ever increasing and more complex goals that challenge us to improve regardless of how anyone else does.

 What if we already are the fastest or the best at what we do? We can either worry about staying ahead of the others, or we can set new, positive personal goals and move toward them.

 Excellence for its own sake should be the goal, not excellence at the expense of anyone else. Be as good you can be. Then, if you want to see how that relates to others, enjoy and grow from the competition.

 Have detachment with the relative outcome as it relates to others. Analyze your performance against personal expectations and goals. Remember, it is possible to win a competition and be unhappy with your performance. And, it is equally possible to get "blown away," and feel satisfied because of attaining a new personal goal or record.

 Strive for the highest of which you are capable. Develop yourself into a strong individual. And then, as a strong individual, you can be a benefit to any other person or group you choose to associate with. Weakness adds little to relationships and endeavors. And, because you are in competition only with yourself, you will add harmony to all with whom you come in contact.

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