Do You Love to Win or Hate to Lose?
“Which phrase best describes you and why? I love to win or I hate to lose?”
Jim Brown asks this question in the “Money Round” to close out the SalesTuners podcast. Guests on the show talk about the behaviors, attitudes, and techniques that have led to their success.
You are sure to get different answers on whether someone likes to win or lose. There’s not a definite right or wrong answer. The why is interesting. This is where you understand what makes someone tick. The answer to that question for me is…I hate to lose.
I played baseball from Little League (when I wasn’t much shorter) until I hung the cleats up after college. I was fortunate to play on many successful teams. Some of the best memories I have were on the baseball diamond. The picture below captures two of those moments.
These rings are reminders of the success these teams accomplished.
The University of Evansville team won the Missouri Valley Conference regular-season and tourney titles. We had a 43-22 record and earned a final national ranking of 19th in the Division I poll. It was the most successful season in program history. The season ended with a loss in the NCAA Charlottesville Regional Championship game.
The University of Southern Indiana team won the North Central Regional Championship. We had a 43-23 record and earned a final national ranking of 4th in the Division II poll. It was the school’s first appearance in the Division II Baseball Championship. The season ended with a loss in the final four to the eventual National Champion.
These winning and losing moments are ones that I forever cherish.
So why do I hate to lose?
I love the success that comes from winning. As much as I love success, I embrace the learning that comes from losing. When you lose there’s an opportunity to grow mentally and physically. However, the feeling you have when you lose is gut-wrenching!
It could be learning not to take your foot off the gas against your opponent. You let that team stay in the game. You didn’t put them away when you had the chance. You let them chip away at the lead until it was too late. Wait, how did we lose that game?
Or it could be learning there’s a time to talk and a time to be silent. You told the customer the price of the product you’re selling them.
Silence. Awkward silence. It got to you.
You started explaining why it cost what it does. You kept talking and then you gave the customer a lower price. The customer didn’t even ask for a lower price. Wait, why did I just give a lower price without any objection?
Both are lessons I’ve learned.
I love to win, but I hate to lose more. Winning leaves a trail of success. There’s a sense of accomplishment. Losing has that undeniable feeling of agony. That feeling goes deep down inside and lingers. That feeling is why I hate to lose.
I learn from losses. Losing brings teachable moments. It makes you question yourself. What went wrong? How did I end up with this outcome?
Learning from these moments can lead to future success. And when you win again, it makes it that much sweeter.
Do you love to win or hate to lose? Why?
