When we apply for a job and write a resume, we usually try to highlight all the good things about our experience, our background, and ourselves. Many people hide all the difficulties they have had in their career and focus on their great achievements. When employers read such resumes, they often feel each is describing the greatest person who ever lived. We try to put ourselves in the best possible light to land the job.
When going to a bank for a business loan, we also list our greatest financial achievements and best references. We want to appear to be a safe client and not a credit risk. We write down all our business and financial successes in the hope that the loan officer will grant a loan.
When applying for college or business school, we collect all the best references from former teachers so that a college will find us appealing as a candidate. Few people would request letters from teachers who would describe them as slacking off or misbehaving. We want to show ourselves in the best light.
When we attempt to gain anything in the world, it is often based on the concept that we put ourselves forward and hide our weaknesses. This is typical in worldly affairs.
Here is a true story from the sports world. A university (American) football team was practising running. One player had the position of lineman. This large player was in a tackle position and considered the fastest lineman in the team. One day, he walked up to his coach and asked if he could run sprints with the fastest running backs. The coach gave him permission.
The lineman went out daily to run, but each day he came in last. Day after day, he continued to run with the fastest backs, even though each day he lost. The coach asked himself, “Why would this football player want to play with the best runners and continually come in last when he could run with the linemen and be the fastest?”
The coach asked the lineman,“Wouldn’t you prefer to be a winner and run with the other lineman, rather than being a loser running with the backs?”
The young man said, “I’m not here to outrun the linemen. I already know I can do that. I’m here to learn how to run faster, and if you have noticed, Sir, I lose to the backs by a little less each day!”
The football player learnt that he would not improve by living on past glories. He knew he could only improve by challenging himself. He was after improvement, not accolades and praise. If we looked at only our successes, we might become complacent and think we have reached the pinnacle of glory. Then, we would not change; we would be satisfied with what we are and take longer to reach our goal.
The football player could see what the other runners were doing and could work on developing his ability. The losses showed him what he needed to do better the next time. And each day he lost by a little less. When we look at our failures, we know what we have to do to do better each day. Then, by making an effort, we will have fewer failures than on the previous day. Over time, we would ultimately reach a stage in which we have improved and reach zero failure.