VIDEO: Are Your Still Playing the Underdog?
What do Rocky, Titanic, and Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs all have in common? In addition to being a few of the most popular movies of all-time, they’re classic underdog stories. You can’t help but to feel good after watching the one who was counted out emerge victoriously. If you’re watching a sporting event and don’t have a favorite, who do you cheer for? The underdog, of course! Everybody loves a good underdog story…
Except when you’re living it.
There’s one underdog story that I’ve grown tired of. It’s the story that stars the talented individuals who get passed over time and time
again for promotions. People running businesses that are on the verge of going under — not because they don’t have a quality product or service – but because they can’t seem to get the kind of “buzz” that their competitors generate.
Why do we get comfortable playing the role of the underdog? Well, for some, it takes the pressure off. If people don’t expect much from you, you won’t disappoint them. Others have resigned themselves to believe mediocrity is their fate. They go through life believing
there are two types of people – those who are successful and people like them.
What’s Wrong with Being the Underdog?
Being the underdog is frustrating. How long will you remain committed to your employer if you don’t feel like they see you as a valuable contributor? The role of the underdog is costly, too. Think about the cumulative value of the income you’re losing on your job or in your business if you’re not reaching your earnings potential.
But saddest of all, when you live life as the underdog, you’re not making the impact on the world that you’re capable of. No matter what you do for a living, you were put here for a purpose. If you’re not fulfilling that purpose, your life is always going to feel like there’s something
missing. And those who would benefit from what you have to offer are missing out, too.
Maybe you’re confident in your professional abilities, but feel inadequate in other areas of your life. If you’re not careful, this toxicity can permeate your career or business, too. In my book, 5 Rules to Win Being You, I offer several strategies to dismantle underdog thinking and behavior so that you can walk in the fullness of your purpose and experience everything life has for you.
We love underdog stories so much because it gives us hope that one day, we too, might emerge victoriously. But if you want to go from underdog status to success story, there is one thing that must happen:
You must believe that you can win.
