Here is my friend Stacie on that subject.
I know you've probably heard the saying, "Winning isn't everything. It's the ONLY thing." Honestly, I've never cared much for it. It may sound good as a "slogan" and it may be a little motivational and look cool on t-shirts and stuff. But the truth is, it's totally and completely FALSE.Of course, you may or may not agree with me, but in my world, that saying just never really connected with me for a number of reasons. I was reminded of why I feel this during the course of this softball year.
IF winning truly was everything OR the "only" thing then, technically, there would be no gripes and no grumbles when a championship was won. Everyone that had anything to do with the championship team (parent, fan, player, coach) would be utterly and completely happy and overjoyed if winning really was the ONLY thing. No one on a championship team would have any sort of ill feelings about anything related to the team or the season or the coaching or the players or the organization if winning was the ONLY thing. But that's not the case.
Even when a team wins a championship there are situations when players or parents are not completely happy and satisfied with how the season/tournament went. Why? BECAUSE THERE IS MORE TO THIS GAME, TO THIS ExPERIENCE, THAN WINNING!
Don't get me wrong. Winning is great! Championships are awesome! Any time I step on the field I'm out there to outdo my opponent and come out on top. But these things are not the end all/be all of being involved with this sport. I'm sure you'll run into coaches or parents or players who've had "successful" seasons tainted by something that happened during the season (the way a situation was handled, the way the players were treated, the way the coaches acted, the lack or organization of the season, etc, etc, etc). You will probably also meet people from time to time who will tell you that they've experienced a higher level of enjoyment and fulfillment in seasons where their record wasn't necessarily the best. If winning where "everything" OR the "only thing" that wouldn't be possible, it would never be true. But it is. Maybe not always, but it certainly is true and does happen on occasion.......because in this game, in any sport, in life....winning is NOT everything NOR is it the only thing.
When all is said and done, I wouldn't want people to remember me only for the championships I've been a part of, but hopefully also for positive qualities like integrity, honestly, determination, inspiration, etc. In fact, if they could know me for either championships OR those positive qualities - I would want them to remember me for having those positive qualities. If I had to choose between being known as a coach with those positive qualities and no championships OR a coach with championships and but little integrity, little honesty, and little inspiration - I don't think I have to tell you which scenario I'd choose. What a shame it would be to be known for a championship or two and nothing else.
Winning isn't everything nor is it the only thing.
I know you've probably heard the saying, "Winning isn't everything. It's the ONLY thing." Honestly, I've never cared much for it. It may sound good as a "slogan" and it may be a little motivational and look cool on t-shirts and stuff. But the truth is, it's totally and completely FALSE.Of course, you may or may not agree with me, but in my world, that saying just never really connected with me for a number of reasons. I was reminded of why I feel this during the course of this softball year.
IF winning truly was everything OR the "only" thing then, technically, there would be no gripes and no grumbles when a championship was won. Everyone that had anything to do with the championship team (parent, fan, player, coach) would be utterly and completely happy and overjoyed if winning really was the ONLY thing. No one on a championship team would have any sort of ill feelings about anything related to the team or the season or the coaching or the players or the organization if winning was the ONLY thing. But that's not the case.
Even when a team wins a championship there are situations when players or parents are not completely happy and satisfied with how the season/tournament went. Why? BECAUSE THERE IS MORE TO THIS GAME, TO THIS ExPERIENCE, THAN WINNING!
Don't get me wrong. Winning is great! Championships are awesome! Any time I step on the field I'm out there to outdo my opponent and come out on top. But these things are not the end all/be all of being involved with this sport. I'm sure you'll run into coaches or parents or players who've had "successful" seasons tainted by something that happened during the season (the way a situation was handled, the way the players were treated, the way the coaches acted, the lack or organization of the season, etc, etc, etc). You will probably also meet people from time to time who will tell you that they've experienced a higher level of enjoyment and fulfillment in seasons where their record wasn't necessarily the best. If winning where "everything" OR the "only thing" that wouldn't be possible, it would never be true. But it is. Maybe not always, but it certainly is true and does happen on occasion.......because in this game, in any sport, in life....winning is NOT everything NOR is it the only thing.
When all is said and done, I wouldn't want people to remember me only for the championships I've been a part of, but hopefully also for positive qualities like integrity, honestly, determination, inspiration, etc. In fact, if they could know me for either championships OR those positive qualities - I would want them to remember me for having those positive qualities. If I had to choose between being known as a coach with those positive qualities and no championships OR a coach with championships and but little integrity, little honesty, and little inspiration - I don't think I have to tell you which scenario I'd choose. What a shame it would be to be known for a championship or two and nothing else.
Winning isn't everything nor is it the only thing.
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