What’s More Important?

Winning or losing? That’s easy to answer. Of course it’s winning. We all want to win. Winning with character and remaining humble is often the challenge.

A week ago the University of Kentucky saw their hopes for an undefeated season come to a halt. They finished 38-1, best record in college basketball for the year, but didn’t win the National title.

When I was the head football coach at Frederick Military Academy, I lived by Vince Lombardi’s quote, “Winning isn’t everything, it’s the only thing.” That thought process has followed me throughout my life’s journey. I hate losing at anything.

When you’re in the moment, in the heat of the battle, winning can consume you. Winning in sports is very important. The reality is losing may be even more so.

You lose your job, you lose loved ones, you lose opportunities, you lose money, you lose a business. Life is about winning and losing. It’s important to know how to handle both.

You never want losing to become a habit. But, losing teaches you to dust yourself off, go back to work, get better and make things better.

The University of Kentucky won 38 games this year. I’m sure they learned a lot from winning. But, the most valuable lessons they learned may very well have been from the one loss.

In some people’s eyes that one loss will define their team for a lifetime. The reality is how they as individuals handle the loss is what will shape and define their lives for the real life that’s ahead of them. That’s all I’m gonna say. Tommy Gibbs