| In the 2002 Winter Olympics, figure skater Michelle | | | | not on the prize, you cannot win what you do not see! |
| Kwan was the favorite to win. She was ahead and | | | | The famous story about Michelle Kwan illustrates an |
| had the victory in sight, and yet suddenly in one of the | | | | athlete afraid of losing, so she played it safe to keep |
| biggest upsets in Olympic history a young Sarah | | | | her lead. Rookie Sarah Hughes had no qualms about |
| Hughes (who was in 4th place) gave the performance | | | | losing (she was already in 4th place). She was not |
| of a lifetime, and grabbed the medal right out from | | | | expected to win, and by her own admission, she was |
| under Michelle. This little story has much to teach about | | | | skating for the pure joy of it. She had her eyes on the |
| how to run your business, and training initiatives. | | | | prize, the goal of skating in perfect harmony with |
| Playing to Win | | | | herself and the music, and because of her playing to |
| As you consider the phrase "playing to win," what | | | | win, she won. |
| comes up for you? For me, I imagine concepts such | | | | In our business initiatives, we have the same options. |
| as being aggressive, playing smart, playing hard, going | | | | We can play not to lose, or we can put our eyes on |
| all out, taking risks, and other ideas. An athlete who | | | | the prize and play to win. How are you "playing" your |
| plays to win is giving every ounce of energy towards | | | | business lately? Are you taking risks you know you |
| attaining the goal, with losing not an option. | | | | ought to, or just playing it safe? Is your strategy to get |
| Playing Not to Lose | | | | new business and continue to provide stellar service to |
| As you consider the phrase, "playing not to lose," what | | | | your existing clients, or just to hang on to the status |
| comes up instead? For me, the concept of caution, | | | | quo and try to ride out the storm? Will your strategy |
| being careful, playing it safe, not going for it, and other | | | | be effective in the long-run? |
| thoughts come to mind. | | | | Investing in training and soft-skills is the sure way to set |
| An athlete playing with this mindset is sure not to take | | | | yourself up for victory now and in the long-run. Pulling |
| risks. This athlete is sure to be worried about losing, | | | | back on training is playing not to lose. The choice is |
| and herein lies the rub. If you are playing not to lose, | | | | yours. |
| your sight is on losing, not winning. When your eyes are | | | | |