Apologies to those of you who received a mystery post a week or so ago. A few of you have asked us about it as there was no post to be read – it was a blank to test that all the links were working and was not meant to go out!

This week our post is from Lucy Kidd on the importance of a Playing to Win mindset to success.

Lucy Kidd

Boris Becker is a six-time Grand Slam champion. His secret to success? He played to win.
Becker was recently asked whether Andy Murray has got what it takes to win his own Grand Slam title having now been runner up on three separate occasions.

“It’s not a question of technique or his actual game. In the past, I felt he was more focused on trying not to lose than going out to win. He was too negative. His attitude has to be much more positive. Once you’re in a Grand Slam final, you’re playing to win. He’s very, very close and that’s the only missing ingredient.”

John McEnroe is another tennis legend who agrees that this is essential for Murray now, stating that the demands of the modern game are so great that players need to be fully focused mentally and not waste energy wrestling with the demons inside.

When we truly play to win we bring our full focus and energy to what we are up to. We bring a positivity and belief that conquers any thoughts and feelings of self-doubt or potential failure.

It’s something that champions train themselves to do. They play to win. Do you?

Leadership Nudge – How could you choose to play to win more in your life and work? What inner demons could you lay to rest to help you in this?

By Lucy Kidd

Learn more about Lucy Kidd, the author of this article