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The tougher the struggle, the sweeter the victory. It just seems to work that way. When you really have to push yourself and give it everything you’ve got, the truth is - you’re never really sure whether victory will be there at the end as your ultimate reward. But, as it turns out, it’s not the end result that makes all the difference. It’s the struggle. It’s the intense feeling of being fully engaged. Acting with courage and honor. Building confidence and setting an example for others. The victory over self is what makes all the difference. The process provides the thrill. And ‘victory’ is merely a well-deserved sweetener.
Take for instance the perspective of Serena Williams. A few weeks ago, at the age of 41, Serena, wife, mother to a young daughter, and one of the greatest tennis players of all time with 23 singles majors’ titles, took to the courts at the Billie Jean King Tennis Center in New York City. She arrived at what would likely be her last ever US Open. As the media and fans relished in the moment, replaying, and reliving some of her greatest moments on court, she stayed focused, practicing for her first match against a highly rated opponent. A heavy underdog even with all her accolades, she would go on to win the match in stunning fashion, offering a glimpse of the greatness she still had to offer. Unfortunately, a few days later she would eventually be eliminated from the tournament, yet as she departed Arthur Ashe Stadium, she took an extra moment not just to wave to the adoring crowd, but to observe. When asked about the moment in a post-match press conference, she would repeat something she said a few years earlier during the height of her success, “I like to cherish every victory as best I can.”
In the face of a defeat, and likely the end of her career, it may have seemed an odd thing to say. However, it was a telling statement from a storied champion from humble beginnings about appreciating the work put in day in and day out to achieve her dreams. She would go on to discuss how simply being able to play at such a high level for so many years and to do it in front of such adoring crowds was a victory in itself, regardless of the titles she won along the way. When she left the court that day, it was a moment she took to appreciate what she’d given and what she’d gotten back in return.
When we achieve something in life, it’s often observed as achieving a specific thing, i.e., an award or a promotion, recognition amongst peers. Yet it’s rare that we ourselves take a moment to give ourselves a little credit, admire our ability to accomplish something we put our minds to. We tend to relish in what we receive from others in these moments, without giving ourselves the personal recognition for being able to achieve what it is we set our mind to. That’s not to say that humility isn’t still an important virtue, on the contrary. The ability to internally admire our accomplishments allows us the chance to appreciate where we came from, how we’ve grown, and where we can still grow. It also creates a spirit of healthy competition and sportsmanship amongst peers or a competitor. When we take space for ourselves, it also generally creates an environment for respect and recognition for those we compete with, encouraging healthy competition that can help each of us to continue to achieve. To set an objective, to compete with courage and strength, there is a thrilling victory of personal accomplishment, no matter the result.
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