Where there's a will ...<\/p>\n
In war there is no prize for runner-up. We shouldn't unduly
\nlament Indonesia's second place finish at the recently-concluded
\nSEA Games in Chiang Mai, Thailand.<\/p>\n
Winning on foreign soil is difficult indeed. The environment,
\nsometimes, can even be hostile. We should remember that the odds
\nare usually in favor of the host country. However, let's not
\nallow complacency and over-confidence to set in, as perhaps
\nhappened in soccer.<\/p>\n
As long as you put in your best efforts, that's good enough.
\nWinning or losing is secondary. What counts is the spirit behind
\nparticipation and sportsmanship, and how well the Indonesian
\nteams proved themselves at the Games.<\/p>\n
Furthermore, people's high expectations create a psychological
\npressure on the performers, resulting in an added stress to win
\nfor their country. We should never judge the athletes by a tally
\nof gold medals.<\/p>\n
In sports you win some and you lose some. But it is hard to
\nfind moderate winners and graceful losers. For example, the movie
\nApollo 13, recently screened here, described the mission as a
\n\"successful failure\" when ground control managed to bring the
\nastronauts back home alive.<\/p>\n
One should, of course, analyze the causes and learn from past
\nmistakes. But you can't undo whatever has happened. So, stop
\nwasting your mental energy in post-mortems. Stop running your-
\nself down, switch to positive moods and sharpen your will.<\/p>\n
Start enthusiastically charting about what you can do now.
\nStart controlling the future with courage and conviction.
\nRemember, winners live in the future and losers live in the past.<\/p>\n
Lloyd Allard, in his book How to improve your sale performance
\nsays: \"Push yourself a little harder, a little farther and a
\nlittle longer than before. People have the ability to do anything
\nthey decide to do. It takes commitment to say -- 'I will find out
\nwhat it takes to win, and then I'll do whatever it takes to
\nwin!'\"<\/p>\n
For success in any sphere of activity, attitude is much more
\nimportant than aptitude. Optimism surely gets you moving. A man
\nhas to be only a few inches taller than others to stand out in a
\ncrowd.<\/p>\n
The slogan \"We Must Win\" (Kita Harus Menang) should really aim
\nat higher goals -- not just winning in events. It should also
\nencompass good behavior, discipline, fair play, will power,
\ncamaraderie, persistence, self-confidence and above all,
\npatriotism. Minus these qualities, medals mean nothing. We should
\nseek greatness, as greatness is more enduring.<\/p>\n
Goals are more easily reached when the effort is shared.
\nBehind every successful athlete is a team. So work as a motivated
\nand committed team to succeed and achieve the desired results. I
\nwish you all good luck and success in your future endeavors.<\/p>\n
By the way, I would like to convey my special thanks to Mr. S.
\nHarmono for the nice sentiments expressed in his letter in the
\nPost of Dec. 15, 1995.<\/p>\n
Please also let me avail this opportunity to wish all readers
\na Merry Christmas and a very Happy New Year.<\/p>\n
D. CHANDRAMOULI<\/p>\n
Jakarta<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/where-theres-a-will-1447893297", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }