Can Your Desire to Win Be Draining You?

Have you ever realized that when you are trying to win or achieve something, we as human beings get so competitive. Sometimes we are competing with others but what really happens is we begin to compete with ourselves. We push ourselves hard, work long hours, and strive to be the best even when it feels bad for us. Our bodies begin to feel exhausted and tired even when we reach for the last cup of coffee for a caffeine jolt. In Eckhart Tolle’s book, A New Earth he discusses a story about a guy who is trying to win a competition in archery. The guy is skilled and has trained a long time to prepare for this match. However, once he begins the match Eckhart quotes “His need to win is draining him of his own power. “

What does this mean?

That when all you think about is winning and you become stressed about losing – it robs you of showing up as your smart, skilled talented self. When we want something bad enough we are always willing to push ourselves and work hard. But when the time comes to present a presentation or lead a team on a project, we forget to be confident in the work we have done to prepare. We can be passionate about the things we want but passion can turn into stress- the more we want it the more it can become stressful because we are so attached to the outcome. If you truly want to be in your personal power -find energy in your focus. Instead of worrying about the project and exhausting yourself –set time aside to plan instead of dragging the worry around with you till the deadline. When you set time aside to focus on the specific task at hand –you allow all of your focus and energy to just be on this assignment or game. You naturally find energy in focus without the stress. So the next time you feel exhausted and powerless –ask yourself these 2 questions.

1) Is my need to win draining me from my best self?
2) Am I confident that I have planned and prepared the best I can?

Personal power is your ability to know you have the confidence and resources to overcome a challenge without being stressed. The opposite is helplessness. So the next time you set out for a tennis match, speaking engagement , important sales call or assignment, be sure that your need to win doesn’t drain you of your own personal power. Trust yourself and let confidence and personal power lead the way.

Quote to share: "Success is a lousy teacher. It seduces smart people into thinking they can't lose." ~ Bill Gates