- Losing because you play poorly/make mistakes/mess up
- Losing because the other person or team are 'just too good'.
It seems that most people would prefer to lose the second way. 'We did our best, they were just too good'. This completely baffles me. I would much prefer to lose the first way. My thinking is that if I lose because the other team are just too good, there is nothing I could have done to change the outcome. If, however, I lose because I made silly mistakes, I know that next time I could win.
I hate the powerlessness of losing to a team who are 'just too good'. If I make mistakes, I only have myself to blame, and I can deal with that. It is in my power to change that.
Similarly, I prefer to lose because I make mistakes rather than because a team-mate makes mistakes. I have very limited power over my team-mate and can do a limited amount to help him/her improve. I have much more power over myself and my own improvement.
Everyone I've spoken to has said they prefer to lose the second way. Is there anyone out there who agrees with me?
