Failure happens
Businesses in Asia of late are going through much restructuring, wind-downs, carve-outs as the markets are in a state of uncertainty about what the future holds both short term and long term. This often means changes and challenges for their people. Sometimes we thrive in certain conditions, and sometimes we may even fail. The previous article was about handling “challenges” or “difficulties.” This article is about handling failure, or defeat, where there is nothing you can do about it. There are countless examples of great people who have fallen, Dick Fuld, the CEO of Lehman Brothers for example. Wherever there is a victor, someone or many people often have to lose. So failures may come in our lives. How do we handle not only difficulty and challenge, but failure?
Pacquiao's gracious attitude
Manny Pacquiao, Philippine boxer, undisputed world champion at 8 different weights, a feat that nobody has achieved in history, was declared the loser in his most recent bout in Las Vegas. When he went back to the Philippines, he was asked by some of the local media, the World Boxing Organisation is reviewing the decision as they say there may have been some discrepancy, and clearly there seems to have been, but are you not angry about the decision? He replied, Why should I be angry? Perhaps God wanted to show me something through this defeat. Perhaps He wanted to show me that you may have thought you’re such a great boxer, world record holder, but you can also be humbled. However, there is a lot to learn from his example. What is the difference between how he handled it, and how the vast majority of boxers handle such decisions? It is a gracious and intelligent attitude in defeat. As a result of using his intelligence, not being overly attached to his title, knowing there are higher things to learn in life than victory and loss in mundane activities, he decided to be gracious. This would have more likely than not resulted in him actually being happier in a tough situation than if he reacted in the way many others do.
Victory and nobility
In the days of ancient India, when seniors would give blessings, they would not say “vijaya bhavaha,”meaning “May you be victorious,” but rather they would say “vijaya vinaya bhavaha.” Vijaya means victory, and vinaya means nobility. May you be victorious and noble. In the past, it is not that before a war, one King would be given the blessing that may you be victorious, and the other King would be given a blessing that may you lose, and it would really work out that way. Both Kings would have had some well-wishers, both Kings would try hard, and both would very likely have been granted blessings of victory, however there is only one winner in a Battle. So noble behaviour, good values, culture, righteousness, were valued higher than purely victory or loss. According to the Vedic view, success at the expense of nobility, is not worth it, and therefore such a dual blessing would be given, that may both success combined nobility prevail.
Determination with nobility
What is the balance then between perseverance, and being gracious in defeat? If we should accept defeat graciously, then should we not try again? Of course we should, but it is all about our mentality, attitude or consciousness. Our efforts should be conducted in a mentality which is detached from the results, our focus should be on the quality and sincerity of our endeavour. This effort should of course be very mindful of the quality of our output, but should not be attached on the ultimate result, especially to the extent that we are completely devastated should we “experience defeat.” There is a big difference between being concerned with the quality of output, and being attached to the result- if we are mindful of this, naturally our sincerity will come through in the way we work and live our lives. We will be more inclined to behave in a higher consciousness with firm conviction of its value, and as a result we will be more robust, effective, and we will very likely experience more happiness and stability in our lives.
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