Last weekend a wrestler was doing very well. She nearly pinned her opponent and only gave up three points. But when she stood up to go to the center of the mat, the look in her eyes was of fear and panick. She was sure that she was losing. She was up by points but she didn’t know it. As a result, within sixteen seconds she was pinned.
This happens a lot in wrestling. Wrestlers mistake the points and become over confident or deflated. The wrestler that ignores the points and focuses on the next point often wins. This is because there is no winning or losing; there’s only won and lost. This is because no matter how well you’re doing, you could give up a takedown or get pinned even with two seconds left. This also means that even if you’re losing by 14 points at third period, if you catch your opponent and pin them you won the match.
This works in life as well. A company on the brink of bankruptcy might be purchased, you’re in debt and inherit a million dollars, you’re a poor student and get a job paying tens of thousands. Or on the other hand you’re making millions and the company goes bankrupt, you won all battles but lose the war. Fortunes favor those who keep trying no matter what the points show.
So when you’re competing, ignore the idea “we’re winning” or “we’re losing”. You can’t count your money until all sales are done. You can’t collect your trophy until the race is over. Focus on the next point and your “losing” will become a win, because if you don’t, your “winning” will become a loss.
Henry-Wrestling 