Everyone loves a winner.
The applause, the headlines, the back slaps — all of that comes easy when you’re on top.

But losing? That’s where the real character test shows up.

I see it all the time at home. My kids love card games. They also love bending the rules, changing the rules, or inventing entirely new ones halfway through. ('Spot it' at our house is basically a lawless state).
And when they lose? Cue tears, outrage, and accusations of cheating, or "I spotted it first!".

But here’s the thing — they’re not much different from adults.
I’ve watched mums yell and scream after seeing their kids lose a footy match.
I’ve seen business owners get petty and bitter after missing a deal.
I’ve been that guy who stewed for days after losing a client, replaying it in my head like a bad movie.

The truth is, losing is inevitable.
We’ll lose jobs. We’ll lose clients. We’ll lose arguments. We’ll lose people.
It’s not about if we lose — it’s about how.

The Stoics knew this. They taught that external wins and losses are out of our control. What we can control is our response.

Do you lose with bitterness, dragging others down with you?
Or do you lose with dignity, learn what you can, and move forward?

Because here’s the paradox:
The people who lose gracefully are the ones who end up winning in the long run. They keep their relationships. They keep their respect. They keep their sanity.

Winning is fun.
But losing well — that’s where the growth is.

Until next time,

Broden Johnson