Only losers think they’re losers if they don’t win big…
Every year, every major sports league has one winner.
Does that make all the rest of the teams in those leagues losers?
Does it make you a loser when you don’t win BIG?
Only a troll would say yes…. I hope you didn’t say yes.
The thing is, out of the 1000s of other teams across all the major sports and leagues, they have to measure themselves against many metrics other than winning the few major trophies available.
Heck… even the teams that win will be tracking all those metrics.
For example, take Arsenal FC (the team I have supported since I was 9 years old)
Last night, the giants of German football, F.C. Bayern Munich, knocked them out of the last 8 of the greatest club football competition in the world… the Champions League.
Unfortunately, the internet trolls and some mainstream sports media are calling Arsenal losers today.
But they only do that out of rival club banter and for clicks. They know Arsenal has not been in the competition since 2017, and getting to the last 8 teams in their first year back is massive progress.
Yes, Arsenal coaches and players will feel disappointed they didn’t get closer to lifting the BIG prize (I know I am), but the amount of progress made has been huge.
And the data supports that.
Now, I’m not here to get into the weeds with data on Arsenals season, which is kinda fun for me to look at.
I’m here to tell you to focus on your data and progress.
Why?
Well, I don’t believe our lives should revolve around BIG days or BIG prizes, but they should revolve around improving our identity and standards.
The kicker here is...
If you look at anyone or any team that wins BIG regularly, you know they have a clear identity and high standards around their high-value activities.
By focusing on improving these they win more often.
But, too many people in biz, sports, and society in general fixate on the prizes over the shifts needed to get there.
Unwisely, they try to hack, over-optimize, or even buy their way to a BIG day, thinking that the prize is all that matters.
Ever notice how these people or teams never win?
In fact, over the last three years, I have seen hundreds of people come and go from the creator and coaching space who followed the hack path.
While I’ve personally seen friends and people I’ve worked with who have high standards and a clear identity smash it.
This is the truth...
You always win by knowing your identity, having high standards, and taking action on your high-value/dollar activities.
If data shows you're always improving, you don’t need to win the Champions League in your niche or sport every year.
So, does your data show you you are improving?
Big love,
ST
Fan of Arsenal FC.
