Does “winner’s mentality” make you win?

Is “winner’s mentality” a good idea?

Do you want to win?

Do you want to do the right thing?

What do you want?

 

What’s winner’s mentality?

I imagine it’s mentality of a person predisposed to win.

If so – it’s related to winning.

 

So does it make you win?

It probably doesn’t prevent you from winning… after all – it’s an ATTRIBUTE of winners. They are winners – they have this “winner’s mentality” trait – so it couldn’t have prevented them from winning.

Now, does it make them win? Does it make you win?

It’s debatable.

Cum hoc ergo propter hoc.

Perhaps winner’s mentality causes winner’s to win. Perhaps it doesn’t. There’s a correlation but is there a clear causation? Perhaps there is. Perhaps there isn’t.

 

So what is a winner’s mentality, again?

You could say it’s a set of traits which predisposes someone to winning.

Now, this would imply causation.

But what kind of traits are those?

This is where it becomes problematic.

 

The key to doing anything well is understanding it. Be it intellectually, intuitively, habitually – depending on the field. But one must understand it. Deeply.

We can say there’s a certain standard of quality to be met. To meet it – one must understand the HOW-TO. Obviously one must. To reach a destination – one must know the road. This much is self-evident.

So what does it take to win? Doing thing’s well, yes? To win – you do things well.

To do things well – you must be perceptive. Intelligent. Build expertise, build understanding.

 

Does it sound fancy?

I don’t think you often hear intelligence being called “winner’s mentality”.

Here I say it,

Intelligence is the REAL winner’s mentality.

Now, bear with me. It’s not mere IQ. It’s not mere knowledge.

All-encompassing intelligence, permeating the given activity – is what constitutes the TRUE “winner’s mentality”.

And yes. It predisposes you to winning.

 

Now, how do most of us understand “winner’s mentality”?

I don’t want to get too deeply into details. I imagine plenty of common knowledge does ultimately hint at a similar conclusion as mine – winning requires superior ability.

But then there’s the psychological aspect.

Say, there’s some kind of a “winner’s mindset” — which predisposes some people to act more confidently, vigorously, determinedly — and thus puts them on a path to success.

There’s a powerful truth in it. I wouldn’t exactly call it “winner’s mindset”, though. I would rather call it absence of “loser’s mindset”.

It’s clear that certain mental models are adverse to winning.

Most of us harbour plenty of self-destructive mental models.

We are taught to comply. Listen to stupid authorities. Not trust our instincts. Instead of testing things and thinking – relying on threadbare solutions and belief-systems. All this is at odds with doing anything well. Everything that prevents you from thinking is poisonous. And obviously – completely adverse to success.

I wouldn’t call absence of “loser’s mentality” a “winner’s mentality”. Clear your mind of the nonsense – and you’re good.

 

Now, there is one more way in which “winner’s mentality” is commonly understood.

“Winner’s mentality means you MUST WIN!”

“Eliminate excuses!”

“Be disciplined!”

“Wake up at 4 AM!”

“Work harder then EVERYONE else!”

“Be the 1%!”

Now, this is fucking ridiculous.

 

There is no proxy for intelligence.

Intelligence is the leverage you apply to your efforts.

You can work twice as much — but get tenth as much done as me — that’s because you’re stupid.

By stupid – I simply mean – you are not intelligent about the field you occupy yourself with. Your lack of discernment produces mediocre results. And your inability speaks more about your attitude then it does about your talents.

You are not pursuing what truly rouses your curiosity — thus rendering your effort sub-par from the get-go.

 

it gets worse,

What happens when you say “I must win”?

What happens there precisely?

Is this a motivation which leads to higher discernment, higher intelligence?

Or does it lead to a meaningless result?

See, when we get to obsesses with stupid honours – we lose sight of the larger goal.

Do you want a lot of small, meaningless, petty victories — or do you want to WIN THE WHOLE THING?

 

And it’s not to say be more ambitious. It’s to say – be more CURIOUS.

What leads to understanding?

Curiosity leads to enquiry leads to understanding.

This is how you build your expertise.

So ultimately – this is not about winning.

This is about exploring.

This is why the notion of “winner’s mentality” is so poisonous… because you are already looking in the wrong place. Rather then look for what truly inspires you to devote your time (which is your life) to – you look for whatever can bring you more of the empty honours, more empty validation, more of something which is really nothing.

 

Therefore – if you want to win – long-term win – forget about the mindsets – and build your profound understanding.

And if you want to truly win… then forget about winning ALTOGETHER.

PLUNGE THE FUCK IN.

THIS must be the TRUEST “winner’s mentality”,

The courage to do your OWN THING, to the fullest extent of your ability.