"The Need to Win" by Chuan Tzu

When an archer is shooting for nothing
He has all his skill.
If he shoots for a brass buckle
He is already nervous.
If he shoots for a prize of gold
He goes blind
Or sees two targets--
He is out of his mind!

His skill has not changed. But the prize
Divides him. He cares.
He thinks more of winning
Than of shooting--
And the need to win
Drains him of power.

I like this poem a lot because I feel as if I have had a lot of experience with this. It explains how if someone is just focused on winning their will be many challenges along the way. On the contrary however if someone does something for the love of it, then if they get a chance to win the prize it will be all the more meaningful. One example of how I have experienced this was during my junior year of high school. For three years I had been chasing a dream of breaking a weightlifting record for squats. The current record was 455 and I knew that it was definitely achievable for me. I became obsessed with the will to beat this record. I worked extremely hard to wear I was currently the strongest in that category. When the day of the competition came I was so nervous that my head was spinning. I had worked three hard years for this one moment. When my chance came I was only able to squat 445. Although this was extremely good and better than anyone at the time, it didn't allow for me to break the record. I was heartbroken afterward. The only thing I could do was cry because I felt as if I had just wasted three years chasing an impossible dream. After all of my emotions went away I realized that I didn't waste my time because I actually loved working out anyways. I learned that sometimes it is better to just do what you are passionate about and if your lucky and the good Lord is willing then the prize might come. I know that this mentality often goes against what we were taught, of keeping your eye on the prize. However After trying both methods I have found that the most satisfying option is to keep your eye on what you enjoy doing.