Everyone's a Winner ... Wait What?

Everyone’s a Winner … Wait What?

No one likes to lose. Yes obvious statement is obvious but it’s true. Some of us respond with huge numbers with excuses. We say how lucky the opponent was or something. Even if you’ve been completely destroyed you still grumble and moan. So really this is just being a bad loser. Then there’s the so called ‘good’ and ‘gracious’ loser. These people have exactly the same thoughts as the bad loser but they clap while making a fake smile instead. Then there’s the last set of people. The ones who say everybody wins.

 

Do you play sport to any sort of serious degree at all? Then you’ll agree that the ‘Everyone’s a winner’ people are being incredibly dumb. In the middle of a contest, whether it’s a gruelling scrum between two teams or something less physical like that crucial putt for par on a green if you lose after all that you are not going to pretend everyone’s a winner. When I’m battling for a crucial point in a badminton match I’m not playing in the knowledge that it’s okay if I lose because I’ll still be a winner. If I lose I know it will suck.

 

Obviously it’s not just sporty people who are competitive. The red mist can descend on anyone. So why do some people pretend that everyone is a winner? School sports day’s spring to mind. I’d imagine parents and teachers don’t want to see children crying when they lose. In all seriousness though is it a good idea to teach children that no one ever really lose? They’re going to have a bit of a shock if they carry on believing this into later life. There’s my parenting advice for the day.

 

If you truly want to compete then you do not believe that everybody wins. In my infinite wisdom I have figured out that only losers believe that everybody wins. Imagine this. You are running a marathon. You watch as everyone else flies out ahead of you. But you don’t buckle under pressure. You pace yourself far better and one by one you pass the other runners. Soon you’re nearing the front. You pass the half way mark still going strong. You can feel the adrenaline pumping. Twenty miles in you run into the lead. The other runners fall further and further behind you. Yes you. You smash through the wall and keep going. You can taste the glory. The finish line is in sight. You’re so close. Do you think everyone’s a winner now? Are all the people behind you winners despite the fact you’ve gone much further much quicker. If you think yes then imagine now your leg falls off. You lie on the floor unable to move. All the other runners go past until you are in last place.  Are you a winner now?

 

Sportsmanship is important. Enjoying yourself is important. But don’t say everyone’s a winner. You are wrong you spanner and you go to the back of the class. Maybe we all need a bit more of a winning mentality. Then maybe England would actually win something. I’m looking at you men’s England cricket team.