Not a typo.
Not “Winning IS what matters.”
Winning what matters.
The thing about this statement is that it is dependent on perspective. I find few absolutes in education and even fewer in sport. I know the scoreboard is supposedly an objective source of data when it comes to tallying final scores. I just don’t buy it.
What matters?
No, seriously.
What matters to you, to your children, to your students, to your athletes? Do you have any idea? Have you asked?
I marvel at the assumptions we make as educators. Test scores matter. Class rank matters. Excellence, and only excellence, matters. I marvel at the assumptions we make as coaches. Winning. Trophies. League standings. Excellence, and only excellence, matters.
Are we sure?
How many children do we lose with that approach? How many students do we discourage? How many athletes turn away? How far down the road of alienation are we willing to travel to perpetuate a crippling concept?
Don’t get me wrong, I am one of the most idiotically competitive people around. I hate to lose. I always have. I have abandoned rational behavior in fits of frustration over a loss. I have been there.
But what matters is what we need to win while we are going for the win.
What matters is dignity in any endeavor.
What matters is giving it a go.
A child inspired.
A teammate. A friend. A mentor.
Life-long learning.
Resilience.
So go for the “W.” That’s a good thing. More power to the victors. They deserve our praise and admiration.
However, let’s do more. While we celebrate the champion, let’s champion our ideals.
Let’s spend more time winning what matters.