It’s day 20 of the 30 day blog-o-thon and today’s prompt from the Affirmations Anthem as read in Jon Acuff’s book, “Soundtracks,” is this: Winning is contagious. When I win, others win too.
First, I admit that the word, “Winning” , for me, has some issues. I like noticing that because it gives me a chance to wonder why that is. It’s a pretty neutral word, so what I have stuffed into it to make it a Turducken type loaded gun for my think hole to simmer over? I guess the short answer is that winning seems to imply power differential and I don’t really like that, I don’t have a lot of “winning” in my history so, ya know, it’s good to see that for what it is and then allow winning to be what it is instead of keeping it in my weird baggage claim area for words Hopie doesn’t claim as her own, ya know?
And it’s totally true. Winning is contagious. If you’ve ever broken past a barrier, reached a finish line you thought was beyond your ability, completed a task after months of trying, healed from a hurt you thought would haunt you forever, then all you want to do is let people in on your experience. The great thing about winning is that it creates a realm of collective energy that increases when shared with others. It’s not a hoarders delight at all. People who win do not despise those who also succeed, they delight in it. It makes their own achievement even better when witnessing another enter into the winner’s circle (and I don’t mean the local used car lot by that same name).
And forget about PRs and miles run, dead lifts, splits, champagne, flowers and glory, think more on winning in on a minor, daily, existence level. Winning may have 15 minutes of really newsworthy glory, but that’s not the reason why winning is a good thing. I’ve lived some 15 minutes of glory moments and they are awesome, but they fade real quick and Cinderella indeed has to go home after the ball. Winning starts with honoring a calling and living that calling daily. It starts with knowing yourself deeply, your strengths and weakness, your great white whale and going after it and it takes your time and life seriously in a way that, at its best and healthiest, helps you become your best and healthiest. From a life of being our best and healthiest, we then show up for our families and friends, our work and our vocation at our best and healthiest and isn’t that the ultimate reward for living from deep truth and integrity.
I’m into it, man. I’ve lived the truth of healing from stuff I never thought I’d overcome. I’ve lived the intrinsic value of doing what means a lot to me and how it changes the way I show up for the work as well as my life and the return on that investment is better than ever getting what I’m actually working for in the winner’s circle (not used car lot, the other one). Winning, and by winning, I mean living from decision to work toward a summit or your choosing. Winning, and by winning, I mean getting really clear on how you wish to build your days and your life, measure your data, track your progress for joy, rest, work and challenge to become the next best version of yourself? That doesn’t just help you fall in love with your life, that sets you up for becoming the truest, clearest gift you were always meant to be for those in your life you’ve been called to serve. And when people witness that kind of light and trust, truth and integrity in your own life, others will wish to know how to do that themselves. High five.