Entrepreneurs, Sport, and Defeat–Don Dodge on how they connect

Don and I are still smarting from the Pats’ defeat on Sunday (I think the Pats and BoSox are the unofficial teams of Web 2.0–just sayin’).  Don was lucky enough to actually be there, so he got the show live.  I had to settle for TV.

Regardless, you look at this kind of defeat.  Everyone is predicting you’re going to win.  That you’re unstoppable … then the worst happens.

Don has some great analogies and reflections, with lots of Boston sports references, on how defeat isn’t the end, it’s the beginning:

Will heart breaking losses defeat them? No way. They come back next year stronger and more determined than ever. Just like in business, they will look at the results and make the necessary changes.

Entrepreneurs are like that. Losses and defeats are just learning experiences. They don’t agonize or despair. They learn, make changes, and charge ahead. It is no mystery why Bob Kraft and Mark Cuban are the best owners in professional sports. They were businessmen first…and still are.

As Red Sox fans always say…”Just wait ’til next year”. Source: Don Dodge on The Next Big Thing: Robert Kraft and Mark Cuban have the best of both worlds – business and sports

Looking back at my last year.  Wow.  Lots of changes.  Lots of times I could have done better.  Lots of times I have been tempted to just give it up.  Still I just knew that if I stuck with it, things would pan out.  I’ve had a lot of support through it all.  Folks who reminded me that I have the talent to keep going, if I just didn’t give up.

This is what Don is getting at.  The great ones don’t take defeat at face value.  They dust off, learn, and try again.

Good advice.

Photo credit: Brian Solis.