Give somebody a win

I once had a conversation with a man who would be considered a success measured by any meaningful metric.

During our conversation, I asked him at this stage of his life what he wanted and his quick reply was, “To have a father tell me I’ve done well.”

Then he went on to say, “I could never please my dad.”

That struck a chord with me. This man’s dad was long dead, but his son, in spite of all his success, was playing hurt…all because his dad would not give him a win.

If this was a rarity, I wouldn’t mention it. But unfortunately it isn’t. It is far too common.

You may not realize it, but there is someone(s) in your life that you have the power to give them a win. Give it to them! Give it freely, joyfully, and without conditions.

Maybe it’s your pastor who puts it on the line Sunday after Sunday…for you and your fellow worshippers. Give your pastor a win by letting him or her know they made a difference in your life.

Maybe it’s a teacher who is showing up everyday trying to help you learn something.

Maybe you’re the boss. The privilege of being boss is that you get to give out wins…do it!

Or, maybe your boss needs a win. (Statistics don’t lie, and the statistics say at least one out of three bosses may actually be human. Take a gamble, maybe your boss is one of the humans and if so, a win for the boss could be a win for you both.)

Maybe you’re a dad or mom. Give your child a win. Do it regularly, do it often. Let them know how proud you are of them. They will remember your “Well done!” for the rest of their life.

They may be a waiter, a nurse, a student, spouse, or colleague; they may be a perfect stranger…but all around you everyday, (if you’re thoughtful enough and secure enough), there are people who need a win and you have the power to give it to them.

Do it!

The ONE THING for today: Being a winner is great. Being a win-giver is greater.