When the Seahawks and Patriots play their Super Bowl game for arguably the greatest championship in sports, both teams will have a 50% chance of winning the game before it begins.

Yes, that Arizona Sun could blind New England or the lack of rain could stifle the Seattle game plan but in theory both teams are showing up thinking that they can win it all that day.

Maybe not by halftime if one team is hopelessly behind, or maybe yes if they believe in miracles to borrow a phrase from Al Michaels.

When two teams play, one doesn’t show up and say I am afraid to lose.  They think, I am willing to lose if I expect to win.

But we humans are not always that pumped up.

In fact, 99% of the time if we show up afraid to lose, we are not going to win.

What baseball player thinks, “Don’t hit the ball to me, I might drop it”.

It’s the opposite, they think “Hit the ball to me, I want it”.  They don’t worry about making mistakes.

If you study successful people, they are less afraid to lose which gives them a better chance to win.

How does this apply to us – actually, it hits close to home.

For example when we say, “I really don’t want to blow this” we are focusing on the negative, becoming too cautious, too concerned about doing what we do best.

Or when we say, “I’ve waited a long time for this chance” we are subconsciously saying “and I better not blow it”.

You know the fabled tale of the modern parent who tells her kids that they won the soccer match even when they lost it.  You know, they’re trying to keep their spirits up but they are robbing them of a life-changing lesson.

There is much value to losing – what doesn’t kill me makes me stronger as Kelly Clarkson sang to us.  And it is true.

If Serena Williams secretly thought, “I’m afraid to lose” she’d be doing all the work for her opponent.

You have to be willing to lose to win.

Share these day starters with friends and family by forwarding this email or posting to social media.

Subscribe to them for free here.