It’s How We Play the Game That Matters
In today’s competitive culture, it’s easy to lose touch with what really matters. But we should keep in mind that the way we go about something can be just as meaningful as the results we produce.
Some time ago, I came across an incredibly inspiring video that brought me to tears. This timeless story involves a remarkable example of sportsmanship that took place on a college softball field. The video is listed below for you to check out — you don’t want to miss it:
This video is one of the best examples of doing the right thing that I’ve seen. As I watched it, I was reminded of the fact that life is about much more than winning and losing. Rather, it’s about reaching out and supporting one another as human beings.
Sometimes, it’s easy for us to forget this in our pursuit of success and results. This video is a great reminder that it’s not really about who wins or who loses. Instead, it’s how we play the game that truly matters.
Here are some examples of what we can do to make sure we’re playing the game the right way, focusing on what matters most, and keeping things in perspective.
Play Fair
Fairness is all about respecting the rules — even when you’re not the one who comes out on top.
The rules apply to everyone. When we follow the rules, we make sure that we’re able to make the best decisions we can. Doing this makes it more likely for people to get treated as fairly as possible.
Fairness and honesty go hand-in-hand. If you make a mistake, don’t be afraid to own up to it. Accepting the consequences of our own actions sets a strong example for the people around us, as it shows that no one is truly above the law.
Treat People with Respect
Respect is about taking the thoughts and feelings of the people around us into consideration. We’re all deserving of the same courtesy and concern as anyone else.
That’s true even for the people we don’t really like. Over the course of our lives, we’ll come into contact with all sorts of people who fall into this category, from tough bosses to difficult family members. Remember that they deserve the same respect as anyone else, and treat them with the same level of kindness.
Work as a Team
Our teammates are our greatest assets. After all, when we work together, there’s no limit to what we’ll be able to achieve.
People come with all sorts of different strengths, which can be useful in all sorts of different situations. In order to support the people on our team, we can talk to them about what we can do to help them on their path to success. What do they need to succeed? How can we support them along the way?
Cheer for their wins, and console them when they make mistakes. Not only is it the right thing to do, but it also sets a precedent for how everyone on the team treats and supports one another.
Keep a Positive Attitude
Being on a team isn’t always easy. At times, our teammates will fail. At other times, they’ll make mistakes. We’re likely to make mistakes along the way, too — after all, that’s part of what it means to be a human being.
In these challenging moments, it’s easy to get down on ourselves and others. We may feel overwhelmed with feelings of anger, sadness, fear, and disappointment. We can acknowledge these emotions and any difficulties we encounter, and still choose to operate with an authentically positive attitude. It’s a choice and is always up to us.
Learn How to Lose
The path to success is often paved with all sorts of failures. Failure isn’t the opposite of success, it’s part of it.
At the end of the day, losing is all about perspective. What matters most is how we handle the losses and what we learn from them.
We can’t control the outcomes, but we can choose how we play the game…which is actually as important as how things turn out in the end anyway.
What are your thoughts on how we play the game of life? Share your ideas and insights in the comment section below.
