Let me start with a story. This happened sometime back.
My son plays competitive tennis. In one of the AITA (All India Tennis Association) tournaments, he was playing with a relatively weaker player but still lost the match. When I asked him after the match, what happened? My son responded Papa, he (the opponent) was playing so badly that I did not enjoy competing with him. I did not feel like playing my game and would not enjoy it even if I beat him. So, I asked, did you lose to yourself? And he responded after a pause… ‘Yes’. He also said that this happens to him when the match is not challenging for him.
In another AITA tournament, something different happened…
In the earlier rounds, he had defeated two of the much higher-ranked players and reached the final. He was very excited and happy that he played his best tennis and was winning against the higher-ranked opponents. They were challenging enough for him and that brought in him to play his best tennis.
In the final, he was again playing a top-ranked player. He lost the final. But he played his best tennis. When I asked him after the match, what happened? How was the match? He said it was a great match. He was happy even after losing the match because he could bring out his best and learn a lot. He also said he was satisfied with his game in the match.
These two separate experiences in the tournament gave him one of the best learning of his life.
“It is not about winning. It is about not losing to self.”
It is giving your best that always matters…
Life is a game and we play this game every day.
How are you playing?
What brings out the best in you?
What are you learning?
Are you challenging yourself enough?
Are you losing to yourself?
Who does not like to win? The question is whom do you want to win against!!!
Play with yourself and win!
Very valid point Sunil