The Sacramento Kings played the Dallas Mavericks tonight. My brother and I went to the game. It was the most important game of the season (thus far) for both teams. Sacramento was in control for most of it, but in the final minutes, the Kings came up short; losing 103 – 107. An exciting game, but a very difficult loss at a critical moment in the season.
Walking out of the arena tonight I was reminded of a post-game press conference from earlier in the season. King’s star point guard De’Aaron Fox was asked what a loss meant for the team, all he said was “It adds 1 to the loss column.” That was it. Nothing more needed to be said.
Now, I don’t want to be that guy stretching sports lessons beyond their breaking point, but there is a lot of wisdom in De’Aaron’s response.
- He acknowledges the loss.
When we lose it’s important to acknowledge that it happened. There’s nothing to be gained by deluding ourselves or making excuses. Take it on the chin. Be honest with yourself and others and own up to reality.
- He cedes no power.
It doesn’t do us any good to ascribe special significance to our losses. Dwelling on a loss is giving it more credit than it deserves. Yes, losses affect us on a human level and it takes time to deal with that, but speaking publicly about our losses, beyond acknowledging that they happened, gives them too much power.
- He moves on.
The only thing that matters after a loss is that you learn from it and get right back out there. Success is achieved through repeated cycles of failing and learning. Literally, any person who has achieved any measure of success will attest to this.
My team may have lost tonight, but they play another game in two days. Tonight’s game is already in the past. It is now prologue. I’ll leave you with the following quote from Samuel Beckett:
“Ever tried. Ever failed. No matter. Try again. Fail again. Fail better”
Go Kings!
MW 