“For me, winning isn’t something that happens suddenly on the field when the whistle blows and the crowds roar. Winning is something that builds physically and mentally every day that you train and every night that you dream.”
Emmitt Smith (born 1969); American football player
The moment of the win doesn’t last. Yes, there is the sense of triumph. Yes, there is great relief when the deal closes or the conflict is resolved. But most people find there’s a blue period following a mark in the “win” column.
Perhaps it’s a problem of emphasis. If we place too much stock in the idea of a single, momentous turning point which defines a win, we’re setting ourselves up for disappointment when that moment passes.
But what if a win is not a moment, but a process? What if winning really exists in the time we spend training and dreaming? If winning is not a moment but a process, so is “losing.” We only lose when we stop dreaming and when we stop working the direction of our dreams.
Happiness in a career doesn’t necessarily come from winning or losing moments. It comes from being able to feel proud about what you are doing on a daily basis. Are you training and dreaming? It depends: Do you feel proud about your actions yesterday? Today? If the answer is “yes,” you’re on track. But don’t worry– if the answer’s “no,” you can make a change right now.
Photo Credit: Dan Anderson. via Compfight cc
