Don't Be Afraid to Lose

What would make you feel worse: Losing a race after weeks of training, or losing a race after not training at all? It might seem as though you’d feel worse if you’d put in more effort and then lost. (You could have spent all that training time doing something fun!) But actually, the opposite is true. It’s impossible to feel good about yourself when you haven’t even tried. Yes, you may work really, really hard only to find out that someone else runs faster, and you’re left with second place or worse. That’s disappointing, but it’s also completely out of your hands. You can’t control someone else’s performance; you can only control your own. But if you bring your best, give it your all, you will have something to be proud of, whatever the outcome. Have you ever failed at something, but then later become really successful at it? Tell us all about it by commenting below!

45 comments

sweetiepielexie's picture
sweetiepielexie on Wed, 01/19/2011

I WAS ABOUT 2 GIVE UP ON

I WAS ABOUT 2 GIVE UP ON DANCING AND THEN MY MOM URGED ME ON AND NOW I AM IN THE ADVANCED DANCE CLASS… ALWAYS TRY YOUR BEST AND NEVER GIVE UP:):):):)!!!!!!!
Pray.Read.Volleyball's picture
Pray.Read.Volleyball on Fri, 09/03/2010

:(

Volleyball tryouts were coming up and I was so excited ! I practiced for hours with my sister every single day. When volleyball tryouts came i was super stoked but there was 80 girls and only twenty would be put on a team. I did my best I dived for it like crazy and did good but none of the coaches even saw. The side I was on the ball wasnt gettin ANYWHERE so I didn’t even get a chance to hit it barely. Im so depressed I just found out today I didn’t make the team im so upset because I wanted this more than anything and some of the girls on the team told me that they didn’t evem like volleyball.
Luv4Soccer27's picture
Luv4Soccer27 on Thu, 12/23/2010

Its Okay :)

My advice to you is to keep on practicing and you will make the team next year. Perhaps try to join some teams for volleyball outside of school and try to get even better. Perserverance is the key and try to be patient. You will be rewarded in time. “The greatest power is often simple patience.”
DGreader521's picture
DGreader521 on Sat, 08/28/2010

I fail at a lot of things

I fail at a lot of things but always get right back up and try again ad if I work hard enough at it, I can do it.
Luv4Soccer27's picture
Luv4Soccer27 on Mon, 08/23/2010

Soccer Fails

Well when I was 10 I was on a C team for a Rep soccer club and I tried out that year to be on the B team. I was later on rejected and told that I had to work on my ball handeling skills. After a year on the C team and lots of hard training, I finally made the B team and 2 years after, I’m still on the team. :)
cutegrl's picture
cutegrl on Fri, 08/20/2010

at the end u win!<3 :)

its true if u do keep trying and u just keep losing then u will feel bad but it all becomes worth it at the end when u win! all u need to do is hope and b confident!!! and be patient! it takes time!!! but the longer it takes the more u appreciate it at the end! think of it that way! hope i helped! peacenlove! <3 :)
Gidget13's picture
Gidget13 on Sun, 08/08/2010

Afraid of losing?

I play many competitive sports, and I’m really athletic. I used to get mad at myself if i lost at something, but now i realize that if I don’t enjoy what I’m doing because of my fear of losing then I’m losing anyway.
soccer5986's picture
soccer5986 on Fri, 08/06/2010

Don't be afraid to lose!

Don’t be afraid to lose. You learn from your mistakes. Everyone loses in there life. So don’t be ashamed or sad or mad if you lose at something. Lose from your mistake.
Margeret's picture
Margeret on Mon, 08/02/2010

Failing then achieving

In my county we have a storytelling compitition and when I was in 3rd grade I was in 2nd place and didn’t go to another town to preform my story, Tilly. But a year later in 4th grade I got 1st place and went to Pavillion to preform it in front of millions of other storytellers and their familys and friends, including mine! I got a certificate, ribbon, trophy(from my school) and a medal from a proffetional storyteller!
sports4life's picture
sports4life on Sun, 08/01/2010

laugh

in school we run alot and sometimes if we dont come in first we jst laugh
LiviLu122's picture
LiviLu122 on Fri, 07/30/2010

Junior High

Junior high…….. it is full of disappointing and awarding things…….. like I had no experience with cheerleading but I had tons of energy and spirit. I tried out for cheer and didn’t make it but my best friend did…. good for her then I tried out for dance team and made it! I had a disappointment and achievement! oh yeah!
DGreader521's picture
DGreader521 on Fri, 07/30/2010

Look for different explanations...

I know this sounds sort of stupid, but I guess I tried flipping and somersaulting underwater and I just couldn’t do it when my sister tried to teach me. But later, my friend explained it in a different way that helped me out. I did it! I guess you kinda have to expect the un-expected and DON’T GIVE UP!
yorkierules5's picture
yorkierules5 on Thu, 07/29/2010

Dog Show

Well, this isn’t something I trained for, but it is something, nonetheless. So I was dressed up all nice and holding the leash on my adorable fluffy mixed breed. I entered most personality and prettiest. Okay, so somebody else won prettiest. My dog is hilarious and cute, so I expected to win the most personality. But I lost….disapointing, but I gave my dog a treat. So don’t always expect to win, because the outcome can hurt more that way.
confettisquirt's picture
confettisquirt on Thu, 07/29/2010

I love this article!

Thank you DG so much for this great article! I love it because it is so true! I mean if you do something but don’t train for it and you lose, you feel bad. But if you do something that you trained forever on and you lose, you can’t help but at least feel proud about yourself. I mean you entered, so what if you didn’t win? You tried. Isn’t that what counts?
katefate's picture
katefate on Wed, 07/28/2010

Middle School

This is so true, because in middle school, AKA the world of succeeding at failing-tryouts can be fun or disappointing.
Abby10's picture
Abby10 on Wed, 07/28/2010

spelling

I studied really hard for my school district’s spelling. I was doing great when I had to spell a really hard word. I missed the word and came in fourteenth place. When ever I ‘m in a competition, I try to give it my best and if I lose I don’t give up no matter what anyone says.
pinkgenie221's picture
pinkgenie221 on Wed, 07/28/2010

soccer

I used to hat soccer when i was little. We tried it in school one day.and i fell in love with it. I guess i changed ,and thought i still didn’t like it…….I was wrong…..I changed!!! I started in January,knowing nothing except trying to get a goal and no hands. After my first month of lessons i improved,and moved to an advanced group. We played more aggressive,and played against other teams. It was so much fun!! Tryouts came along for travel time,so i decided to try out. At least give it a shot. I could’ve done better,but i was nervous. In the end i was chosen to be on the team!!! I was physicked!!! I’m as good as my best friend,and she’s been playing for eight years. I haven’t even been playing for one!!!
cows.are.my.heroes's picture
cows.are.my.heroes on Sat, 07/31/2010

<3 <3 <3

I LOVE soccer SOOOOOOO much!!!!!!!! It is the best sport EVER created!!!! p.s Good for you!!!!!!!!
pinkgenie221's picture
pinkgenie221 on Wed, 08/11/2010

I Know!!

I know!! Soccer is AWSOME!!! Go soccer!! Thanks 4 the comment!!!
cows.are.my.heroes's picture
cows.are.my.heroes on Mon, 08/23/2010

sure

sure thing
Rut-hi's picture
Rut-hi on Wed, 07/28/2010

winning problem

I have a rep for writing quickly. I like to keep it. I usually spend about ten minutes at the most on quizzes and twenty or a little more on tests. I like to finish things quickly, and first, so I make careless, petty mistakes. I just can’t seem to slow down. My teachers tell me to slow down, and I really do try, but I can’t resist the urge to speed up.
jazzdancer's picture
jazzdancer on Thu, 07/29/2010

Relax

I used to be the same way, but one year, I just relaxed and focused on myself. If you focus on yourself, you’ll probably do better. And make sure to check over your work, too! :)
soccer5986's picture
soccer5986 on Wed, 07/28/2010

Never give up!

When I was 6 years old I was horrible at soccer. I wanted to give up. But, my whole family was counting on me to try my best. So, I went back out on the feild and with not even a mintue left in the game I scored the winning goal. Today I am great at soccer and love it a lot, and I’m really glad I didn’t give up!
ShootingPrincess's picture
ShootingPrincess on Tue, 07/27/2010

Learned that today!

Today I was doing my library’s Version of Iron Chef and my team worked really hard at our stuff and we didn’t place but I didn’t care you know why!?! Because we learned new recipes and got to hang out and eat the extras (yum!)
Kitty16girl's picture
Kitty16girl on Tue, 07/27/2010

Big Competition

My dance group and I (I’m 10, most of them are 15) Rimview Dance Studio 2, were in a big dance compitition for the whole state of Montana (4th biggest state!) We were competing against my dance teacher’s mother’s dance studio, Rimview Dance Studio, the teenagers in my dance studio were competing against themselves, and then some others from around the state. When it was our turn (after 2 hours of waiting!) we did a FANTASTIC job. At the awards the teenagers from our group got gold! They got 99/100 points! I was sure we were going to get silver. RDS got it. At first, I was dissapointed. But we got 77/100 points, which is still in the gold medal area. Then I realized that Rimview Dance Studios, both 1 and 2, got the top 3 places! Afterwords, we got to hear what the judges said. Judge #1 didn’t like the color of our tank tops, so she marked us down for appearence. Judge #2 marked us like we deserve. Judge #3 marked us down on song choice. I have never even heard the song until we learned the dance to it! I’m still pretty ticked off about it, but I know I’m a winner. : )
Songbird1998's picture
Songbird1998 on Tue, 07/27/2010

So true!

I auditioned for my 15th play (or something like that) and at the auditions I put on my application that I wouldn’t accept any extras, because I’d already had a larger role and liked it. And then later when I read, I didn’t really try, and I got cut. I was pretty mad, but still, crew’s nice, and that’s what I get for not trying.
crazyfrog97's picture
crazyfrog97 on Tue, 07/27/2010

If you don't work hard

If you don’t work hard on something that you wanna win, you can’t expect to win. The only way you have a chance is if you work hard for it.
hollyellaginger123's picture
hollyellaginger123 on Tue, 07/27/2010

Talent Show

My bffl and I were practicing are Talent Show act for weeks! But, when auditions came around, we didn’t make it. Sure we were upset, but we still had eachother which was all that mattered. And watching the Talent Show was just as fun as being in it!
susmitha_rox's picture
susmitha_rox on Tue, 07/27/2010

so true!!

That is so true! It’s impossible to feel good about yourselves when you haven’t even tried!!
tropicdog's picture
tropicdog on Mon, 07/26/2010

Learned to Love Math

I used to hate math and say it was impossible! I didn’t get the best scores and I hated the subject. Then last year I started working with my parents in the evenings when I was having trouble with a problem and they taught me ways to do things. Then I turned out doing a lot better in math class, and I started to like the subject! Now I really enjoy the subject! You can always try harder and succeed!
319princess's picture
319princess on Tue, 07/27/2010

same!

same here!
artlover16's picture
artlover16 on Mon, 07/26/2010

Lose and Improve

I play tennis matches against more skilled people than me. It is how you learn. My mom always says, You don’t really learn anything when you win all the time. That doesn’t mean be lazy, though. Try your best and if you win, challenge yourself more. Just from 1 week of tennis camp, my coach said I had improved.
flipflopsmiley87's picture
flipflopsmiley87 on Mon, 07/26/2010

Totally!

I totally agree!!! When you tried really hard on something but find out you didn’t succeed, you feel pretty badly about yourself. But if you didn’t work a sweat, and fail, its impossible to feel good about yourself. You have something to be proud of when you worked your butt off! But how can you feel good, when you didn’t even try? You can’t.
artlover16's picture
artlover16 on Mon, 07/26/2010

Nobody's Perfect

Everyones gonna lose sometime. It’s better to try and lose than to not try at all. Then you know you did your best and you’ll feel good. I know how it feels. I’ve lost tennis matches to more experienced players before. I’ve handled cheaters. I don’t argue with them when it’s not a big deal. Before I disagree, I ask myself, What am I gonna get out of winning? Is it really worth arguing? Most of the time it’s not, so I let it go. I play by the rules, and even if I lose, I feel better than if I cheated. : ) Play Fair. - artlover16 -
LoveBrunett's picture
LoveBrunett on Mon, 07/26/2010

astham

i have really bad asthma and sometimes i train too hard. i never let asthma stop me from training in (track and field, basketball, baseball, and volleyball) and so i never let is stop me from finnishing me race. i have been in the hospital before because of asthma, and on my first 1500 run it came on strong. even though i had to slow down (a LOT) and came in like 4th to last, i felt proud cuz i finnished the race strong! :-)
tumblingstar1999's picture
tumblingstar1999 on Sun, 10/03/2010

to valgirlox

was it scary what does it feel like???
Valgirlrox's picture
Valgirlrox on Mon, 07/26/2010

Even though I lost, I felt like I won!

Me and my older brothers and sister were going to have this big race in the backyard. Being the shortest of the bunch gave the others an advantage so I knew that I didn’t have a chance at beating them. So I ran around the yard every day, used the treadmill everyone afternoon, and stretch my legs every night until I felt like I was unbeatable. When it was time for the race, I was determined to win. I ran and ran until I felt like my legs were going to fall off. And then…I lost! But I was happy that I did my best, my sister won, and I had fun! Still, I kept praticing but I realized that running wasn’t something I loved. At the beginning, I only did it just to beat my siblings. Today, I stretch my legs and do my best by dancing because it’s a natural thing that I can do and I love it!
littlemissperfect10's picture
littlemissperfect10 on Mon, 07/26/2010

Math Test

In the beginning of last year, I got a 78 on my math test. It was the first time I’d gotten a C on anything, and my parents and other family were really dissappointed in me. For a while I felt like I was dumb and just couldn’t do math. I started not turning in my math homework because i was so hard I couldn’t figure out the answer. But then I started paying more attention in math class and doing math equations at home. (Example: If you have 36 chickens that need a shed,how big does the shed need to be?) First you collect your info: Each chicken needs 3 square feet of space, so 36x3=108, and 108=12x9, so the shed needs to be a 12x9. The when the regional math test came up, I did really well! I kept trying and suceeded! ps second comment!!!
068609478's picture
068609478 on Tue, 07/27/2010

USA

why is it that a 78 is a c in the us and a b in canada? and what is a grade point average
bbest8's picture
bbest8 on Mon, 07/26/2010

hard work

last yr in 6th grade i failed a math test (i think it was on geometrry?) and my math teacher called my mom and said i was gonna fail math if i fail my final. (If u fail 6th grade math, in 7th grade u have 2 miss 2 specials- i think it was cooking and gym 1/2 the yr and cooking and ethics the other 1/2 and do math instead. Also twice a week u have 2 do math during lunch) So anyway cause i do well in other subjects and cause my parents are smart, they were pretty upset. So every day 4 about 2 weeks i did an hr of math every night and studied really hard. All my hard work did pay off cause i got a 81.6 (82) on it which is really good 4 me. This yr i studied in about 2 nights and got a 71. Even though its only about a 10 point diff i kinda felt like the 71 was a “cheap” mark in comparison to the 82 which i worked my tail off 4.
myownstyle's picture
myownstyle on Mon, 07/26/2010

Shining As Myself

I used to keep people from knowing who I really am. I never showed people my love for certain things that they find odd or stupid. I thought they would judge me and that they would never be my friends ever again. But after a while my life was just bad. I was sitting on a friend’s bed while she listened to the Jonas Brothers ( nothing against them, they’re just not my favorite ) and my thoughts were ” Why am I even here? I don’t want to be this person. This isn’t me. ” I have been living 12 years full of hiding. I put my hand over the light so that no one would ever see it. I always felt sad when I thought of myself and my personality. Because my sister likes things I like, she says I copy her. I can’t wear the clothes I want to, listen to the songs I love, be who I really am, just because she got mad at me for that. I hid for her happiness. But when I noticed that I wasn’t happy, and my friends liked me for the wrong reasons, and that even my family didn’t understand me… I had to change. So this year I’m not going to hide. I’ll show the parts of me that were hidden and the parts that were misunderstood. I know that I’ve failed, and haven’t had success yet. But when life is hard and when you aren’t here for the right reasons, why continue? Why continue when a new school year can give you a new start? I don’t know how it’ll turn out exactly, but I do know that truth is always better than lying. I hope this story of mine will encourage you to not hide, because when we hide for so long… you want to be found. When we leave our light ( our personality ) off… you wish you could see the light switch to turn it back on again. Wish me luck… and maybe in a while I can tell you how it turned out.
cows.are.my.heroes's picture
cows.are.my.heroes on Tue, 07/27/2010

wow

I’m not being sarcastic… that actually touched me. You’ve inspired me to show my personality and not be afraid. I hope in the end It all works out for you. Good luck on the best year ever.
Faithful77's picture
Faithful77 on Mon, 07/26/2010

True, true, true!

Yeah, DG. I totally agree. It’s just like studying for a test. When you get a bad grade because you didn’t study you know why, but when you did study, you’d still wonder what happened. I really think you shouldn’t be afraid to lose. PEACE!!! :-) -Faithful77
Faithful77's picture
Faithful77 on Mon, 07/26/2010

YAY

First to comment!
cows.are.my.heroes's picture
cows.are.my.heroes on Sat, 07/31/2010

8*)

Now I appear to be lol. JK!!!
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