««
Back to issues list
Jan 16, 2005 :: The Monk's Monday Lesson #5
Win and deal with it
Take care of the first things, first. Win the match and then deal with what ever comes next. Make this attitude a habit. Win and deal with it.
One time my opponent leaned over the table and a gun fell out of his coat pocket. I won the game. Win and deal with it.
When we are about to perform an action that includes consequences, our brain begins to debate the value of that consequence. We must turn that part of our brain off. There is no room for debate. Winning is non debatable. We win first; then deal with the consequences.
Every time you win, you experience the following: You are in the spot light. More attention will be upon you when you stand in the winners’ circle. Others get mad at you. You will experience increased expectations. You will be expected to repeat that performance. You face confrontation. You will be disliked. It is lonely at the top. People are jealous of you. The reality is that winning brings forth some negative experience.
Some players who understand the conditions of winning actually refuse to win when faced with the victory. It is called choking. I don’t like the term choking. I prefer to call it, “refusing to win.”
No matter what you call it, win and deal with it. Just win the game. When you win the game, you must win the match. Winning is action. Take action. Win the game. From now on, you would rather win by nine than to win by eight. Winning is your only value.
What does a Karate Master have in common with a Khampa warrior? How does a pocket billiards master figure into this? They both seek to build strength and endurance, to polish technical skills, to conquer aching muscles and to overcome fear of failure and serious injury. Read my article “Master meets Master” and follow Pamela as she searches for a Khampa warrior to meet.
