The Real Win is in Losing!

Losing is part of life.  In fact, it is one of the most valuable lessons one can learn.

We don’t get everything we want all of the time.  We can’t win every race.  Tasting defeat only allows us to savor victory and try harder the next time.  Learning how to lose teaches us how to win.

If a child knows they will automatically get a reward for showing up, what motivation is there to try?  If our students’ walls are adorned with ribbons and trophies for participation, we have done them a disservice.  We are teaching them that a promotion will be handed over on a silver platter, not earned.  Grades will be given based on attendance, not effort.

Our job as parents and educators is to help students stand up after a fall, dust themselves off, and try again; congratulate hard work and effort; and help students recognize the key to success is diligence.  We need to teach them that with daily progress and commitment to the challenge, the prize will come with time, and will be even more satisfying given the effort!

“Only those who dare to fail greatly can ever achieve greatly.” – Robert F. Kennedy