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 motivating to some and look cool on t-shirts and stuff. But the truth is, it’s totally and completely FALSE. 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 way over 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 ever have any sort of ill feeling or complaint about anything related to the team or the season or the coaching or the players or the organization as a whole if winning was the ONLY thing. But that’s simply not the case.
Even when a team wins a championship there are times when players or parents are not completely happy and satisfied with how the season/tournament went. Why? No, it’s not because they’re cry babies (although some may be). It’s usually because they are HUMAN and 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 out-do my opponent and come out on top. But these things are not the end all/be all of participating in this sport.
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, honesty, 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. However, many have reminded me that while winning isn’t everything, expecting to win and striving for perfection is.
Well said. It is amazing that most coaches that feel the way you do have won or will win championships while those that say “winning is everything” will spend most of their coaching career frustrated because they miss the most important part of coaching and that is the relationships!