I was sitting in my studio over-looking the ancient riverbed that makes up the canyon my backyard sits above. The phone rang, I didn’t recognize the number, but, thought, hey, what the heck, I’ll answer it any way (I usually don’t if I don’t know the number) as it may be a complete surprise and bring good fortune.

I’m glad I answered. It was a complete surprise and it did bring good fortune.

It was the iconic show, Sunday Morning, hosted by Charles Osgood.

I was asked by the show’s producer if I thought winning mattered?

Without hesitation I said, “Yes, of course, winning matters.” He then asked, “Why”? And, I answered with unwavering conviction, “Because, I never met a person who couldn’t wait to get up and fail”.

“Because, I never met a person who couldn’t wait to get up and fail”.

That answer seems absurd, of course, but, speaks to the reality that there’s something in our DNA that drives us to create outcomes of value, meaning and distinction.

After saying that there was a long pause without response so I thought the call got dropped. But, the voice reappeared asking me in a tone of intense curiosity to “tell me (him) more.”

Winning is An Obligation

So, I said, “Winning is an honor and privilege that we’re obligated to repeat throughout our life to revere life opportunities and the good fortune of being able to pursue them.”

Thanks, Couldn’t Have Done It Without You

Secondly, I said, “Every time we win we thank our parents for giving us the chance at life. They gave us the gift of the body and our genes that enable us to complete the action steps necessary to create our successes.”

Best Friends Forever

Thirdly, I said, “Every time we win we say thank you to our friends. You know who they are. They’re the ones that are always there through thick and thin – no strings attached, always willing to help. You just pick up where you left off without breaking stride.”

Mentors Matter

Fourth, I said, “Every time we win we say thank you to our mentors. Our mentors are those who unconditionally say to us, or show through example, the one thing that we need to hear at that pivotal life moment that keeps up on the right path to manifest our highest self and most significant achievements without any expectation of anything in return.”

Benefactors Belief

Fifth, I said, “Every time we win we thank our benefactors who provided us with some financial backing or piece of equipment required to succeed. Without the raw materials and resources to complete the action steps to manifest our goals they never happen.”

Shows Others What’s Possible

Finally, I said, “The most important reason winning matters is that every time we succeed it shows others that success, life improvement and living the lifestyle of our dreams are possible. If there’s ever a time in history where positive role models are needed as beacons of hope, sanity and courage in our communities it is now. The world needs to see concrete examples of what’s possible and how people do it.”

Does losing matter? Yes. Why? Because it gives us fewer chances to say thank you to those who have helped us succeed and for the opportunity to reach for the stars.

Does that matter? Yes. Why? Because we’re obligated to honor the privilege of having the chance to win and the honor of saying thank you to those who have helped us do it.

So, who’s the first person you need to say thanks to?

Make the contact now.  They’ll be glad you did.

Onward and upward

You can do it.

Jeff