I don’t lose well. Never have. I’m a perfectionist. Mom said the first time I came home from school with a less than perfect grade, I cried. Maybe I’m an overachiever, sensitive. I don’t care. I’ve always been my harshest critic and most demanding boss.
Striving for first has benefited me too many times to count. I believe that if I can’t do something well and can’t get it right the first time, it’s probably not worth doing. So I stick to what I do best and help my clients focus on doing what they do best.
Last summer, I took up running and quickly discovered that I enjoyed it. I ran my first 5k. I walked to the Memorial Park (a few blocks away), ran the 5k, and walked home again. A few days later, a woman knocked at my door and said I had won something. I didn’t know what she was talking about. “At the 5k last week, you got 2nd place.” No, I didn’t! That’s not possible. I’ve never run a 5k before.” But, knowing I was good kept me running. I placed in every 5k I ran in—every 5k.
Until the last one, I was sick. I had already registered for the event, and I was going with a good friend. Otherwise, I would’ve backed out. I told a woman at the gym that I could walk it. “No, you won’t,” she said. “You’ll run.” She was right. I ran. The first mile was great. The second mile was good. The third mile, and especially the very last leg of the race, is when I usually kick it into overdrive. I love passing people at the end of a race. Saturday, I just didn’t have it. That extra gear wasn’t there. I couldn’t pass. I got passed. Ouch! That’s how that feels. 4th place. Ouch.
I complained all weekend to anyone who would listen. I was mad. I reminded myself I was sick. I would’ve done better had I been healthy. My preschooler reminded me I can’t always win everything. (How many times have I given him that medicine?)
I’m back at work on Monday and still not functioning at 100% (partly the cold, partly self-loathing). I have an email from a fellow writer and public speaker. He’s telling me (and probably his whole contact list) about a great new gig he landed, speaking on a cruise ship. Nice! Getting paid to go on a cruise. I’m happy for him, but this feels like 2nd place in some ways. Like I lost again.
I reply, congratulating him and suggesting a friendly wager. Who can get the most speaking gigs the fastest?
I’m on a roll. Tuesday, I get an update from a new connection thanking me for getting him a new client. I suggest a little friendly competition. I mention my current goals and ask if he has any of the same.
Most business owners I know are competitive. So I think about my contacts and send emails, sparking us each to get creative, to kick into overdrive for the next leg of the race.
How about you? What are your goals? What are your challenges? Write them down. Figure out what it will take to get there and find a colleague who can hold you accountable. Please put it in the comments for the world to see. Let’s get that gold!
Fletcher Consulting 
518 S. Union Street Shawano, WI 54166
(715) 584-6773