How to Admit Defeat

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It's an unfortunate reality that much of life is a competition. That means there are winners and losers. Football games, road races and political elections tend to offer more decisive outcomes, but in the workplace, school or even among friends and family, competition can be created internally. When it's you who's contriving it, determining an outcome can be far more difficult and it can also be more taxing. In this world of progress, learn to brush off competitive behavior by admitting defeat and moving on.

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Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Step1

Realize the actuality of "loss." Competition might be human nature, but the architecture in which it takes form is usually consciously built--climbing the corporate ladder, four quarters of a ball game, two sides of an argument. We actualize these scenarios, so it is we who are creating the idea of winner and loser.

Step2

Understand that competition exists independently of the notion of winning or loser. In short, outcomes are separate from the journey itself. We normally create and modify what outcomes are to exist within an established hierarchy, be it an organizational structure, a political format or a playoff system. Taking a better understanding of this offers a healthier approach to competition and a more rational view of its outcomes.

Step3

Apply only the value of the outcome itself to the result. If you're gunning for a promotion, you should only assign it the value of that position. Investing too much emotion and energy in the result means applying more value to it than it's actually worth.

Step4

Acknowledge the ephemeral nature of competition. It is not everlasting; it occurs over a brief time. Doing this allows you to accept that it has come to a close. Too many times, there's nothing more worth fighting for. It's difficult to admit "defeat" if you're still participating in the "competition." Essentially, when it's over, accept that it's over.

Step5

Move on. Regardless how you might perceive the outcome--the win or loss--move on once it's over. If your coworker got the promotion and you didn't, then it's finished. Dwelling on the result is counter-productive. The quicker you move past the outcome, the faster you attain the initial goal.

Tips & Warnings

Don't get personal. Most people are competing simply to create the most ideal life that they can. It has little to do with you, so you should make sure it has little to do with them.
If you don't buy into this philosophy, the don't admit defeat and do everything you can to sabotage the victor.