Losing serves in many ways. It not only serves on a level of achievement or significance, it also serves us emotionally and spiritually.
One of my favorite athletes of all time is men’s tennis legend Pete Sampras. When Pete came up in the men’s tour, he became an unknown who won the U.S. Open at age 19. That is the youngest men’s champion ever at the U.S. Open.
Success came too soon for Pete. After that big win, Pete was lost and overwhelmed with all the fan and media attention he was receving. As a result he struggled for about 18 months. Pete was a great natural talent, but not a competitor. Two years after winning his first U.S. Open, he found himself back in the finals. Pete’s mindset was that he was happy with the two weeks and was okay making the finals. What Pete did not have was the hunger to win the match and eventually lost the match with a 6-2 loss in the 4th and final set to Stefan Edberg. Pete admitted that he did not dig deep and do the things he needed to do to win the match.
Here is how Pete described it:
“It changed my whole mentality, when I kind of gave up in that fourth set,” he recalled during a morning press conference. “I just promised myself I would never let that happen again. I knew exactly what I wanted. I wanted to stay No. 1. That 1992 loss to Edberg was the wake-up call that I needed to really figure this thing out.”
This loss bothered Pete in a big way. Pete said that he willl never give up in a match like that. As a result, Pete became completely dedicated to his trade and went on to breaking many records including a record at the time of 14 majors. In addition, Pete became the #1 player in the world for six consecutive years.
To this day, Pete says this loss is the greatest event that ever happened to him. He would have never won 14 majors nor go on to have a the hall of fame career that he had. Thus, one loss became thirteen majors.
Now, I know not all of us are tennis players and athletes. I know that I have had many major setbacks that have turned out to be incredible blessings. I remember not getting a promotion in 2003 and felt I deserved one. By not getting promoted, I ended up meeting my wife Carmen. Of course, I don’t know where my life would be without my bride.
As Tony Robbins says, “Those who succeed tend to party and those fail tend to ponder”.
What disappointments and challenges are you going through right now?
How are the disappointments in your life setting you up for winning moments?
How is losing getting you to take your life to the next level?
Feel free to comment below. I would love to hear from your responses.