Play to Win

In every sport I have ever played I have always played to win. It didn’t matter if it was basketball, volleyball, soccer or paddling, I always played to win. I never once stepped onto the field or court or into the boat thinking, “today we are just going to try and survive till the whistle blows.” Even when the odds were against us and there was no hope of winning, I still played to win.

My dad, who played Polo all around the world and at the highest levels, taught me that “winning is an attitude.” It’s not about being number one; it’s about the work ethic and the attitude. It’s about the mindset and being proactive. It’s about leaving it all on the field and making something out of every opportunity. It’s about no retreat no surrender. It’s about burning the boats.  

So when I face life’s mountains or when it seems that I am in the midst of a perfect storm or it appears that all hope is lost, I remind myself that I play to win.

The time is now to quit surviving and start playing to win.