For the past few weeks, I have been working with another company on a major bid for a prospect.

We listened closely to the client and anticipated their needs.

We worked hard to surpass the prospect’s expectations.

We gave it our all.

At the end of last week, it was learned that we were not selected.

However, we did not lose.

I have to admit that at first, I was a disappointed. So, shortly after we learned of the decision, it became time to evaluate where things could have been a little better. It became time for self-reflection.

Which additional activities could I have undertaken to achieve victory?

Maybe there were some things we could have done a bit better. However, the reality of today’s business climate is that there are victors and there are challengers.

Perhaps you have also been working hard to achieve a goal lately and have come up a little short.

The good news is that as long as we continue to strive for excellence, hold on to our desire to achieve the next goal and stay motivated, victory is always in sight.

Achieving our goals is very much like a marathon. There will be times when the struggle seems a little rough. There will be times when we need to summon a little extra inside. And there will be times when we need a little reminder that its time to get off the deck and back into the race.

We lose only when we lay aside our passion for providing the very best for others. Once the burning desire to compete goes away, we have lost.

I would contend that how we react after not being selected is nearly as important as achieving our goals.

It is in the process of not being selected that we learn what we’re truly made of, evaluate what it takes to succeed the next time and utilize a lifetime worth of lessons that pertain to adversity and grace.

So, as we enter into a new week, may our opportunity funnels stay full, our desire to compete stay strong and our resistance to giving in to the temptation to slow down go by the wayside.