If we work hard, go to the right school, and eat the right breakfast. We will win.
But life is unfair. We don’t live in a meritocracy.
So when our efforts exceed the perceived value, or expected returns. How do we keep going?
When Rocky took the fight with World Champion, Apollo Creed, he was a disillusioned boxing bum. He took the fight out of pure desperation. Nobody gave him a chance of winning.
The night before the fight is when it all changed for Rocky.
In realising that he was not supposed to win. Rocky changed the game he was playing. He created his own definition of success…..Go the distance with Apollo Creed.
Rocky lost his fight but gained his self-respect.
In case you missed them. Here are the steps:
Define your success: Do something that is unique to you, your situation, and that nobody else thinks you can do.
Now own it. Make it yours.
Define your measure of success: What would that success look like?
Be clear on the change you seek: For Rocky it was self-belief.
Does the measure bring the change you seek? If yes, good. If not, edit until successful.
To the outside world, Rocky was a failure. Twenty-four hours later the world changed its mind. Rocky was done trying to show the world he was a winner. Instead, he had chosen the path of growth. And in doing so, had found a way to never lose again.
“Son – you are not supposed to win. You were never supposed to win. When you understand that you understand everything. You’re not supposed to win. So win everything.” Lyrics from the album Upward by Ty.