“Do you know what my favorite part of the game is? The opportunity to play.”

–Mike Singletary 

True champions realize the opportunity to compete is a reward in and of itself. The results may vary, but the result never will. And what result is this? The learning and growth that come from the opportunity. Even the most crushing defeat brings with it a broad range of lessons. For this reason, challenges shouldn’t be feared. Regardless of the outcome, they’ll provide lessons crucial to your development. You should actively seek out opportunities to compete for this very reason—you need the lessons and you need the growth. 

The ability to learn from disappointments is essential to success. It’s no coincidence that so many champions rebound from defeat with some of their greatest performances. Drawing inspiration from defeat and then applying the lessons learned is a powerful recipe for success. The key is to not get lost in the negativity. Dwelling on failure is easy, which is why so many people do it. Pushing yourself to rise above the gloom takes true discipline. 

By seeking out new opportunities to learn and grow, you will join an elite group of entrepreneurs. Much like their athletic counterparts, they love to compete and thrive on the complete experience provided by each competition. Your record of success may not immediately rocket to new heights, but you’ll be laying a solid foundation for future success. As you broaden your skills and seek to enrich your background, challenges will lose their intimidation factor. They’ll be exposed for just what they are—golden opportunities.