Be that as it may, this slogan that I read yesterday really got my goat. (THIS was on a man's T-Shirt, so there!) "Winners don't lose" it proclaimed to the world. One is not really expecting profound wisdom from T-Shirt slogans but one is not looking to see rank stupidity either.
I mean, really? So, a Federer, when growing up, never lost a single match? That would mean that he was careful to play only against people he could readily beat. Which, in effect, means that, from an early age (which means, as soon as he got taught that winners do not lose), he ensured that he was never stretched, never had to face an opponent who showed him the limits of the skills he had acquired up to that point, just so he did not lose and, thereby, end his quest to being a winner? A classic recipe to never ever improve on his skills.
And, of course, the moment he lost a match it was all over for him. He can no longer say that he never lost, so he cannot claim that he is a Winner! Finis, career done, now he can go back, herd cows, and eat chocolate for the rest of his life?
A Winner is someone who is not afraid of stretching himself, of going beyond his comfort zone; someone who does not let fear of failure keep him from trying. Which, essentially means, that he WILL fail every now and then. And will NOT let that failure deter him from trying again to pursue his dreams.
'Winners don't lose' is as good as saying 'Winners don't try', which is a oxymoronic statement if not a moronic statement. Not trying IS the classic definition of a Loser, for a Loser is one who fears to try, not the one who tries and fails.
If there be a Society which actually believes that 'Winners don't lose'; if people in Society deride those who try and fail, then THAT is a Society which is geared to producing ONLY Losers.
Staying in your comfort zone is a time-tested way of never losing. But I am yet to see anyone praising frogs in a well for being Winners.
