I read a fascinating psychological study a few years that involved Olympic medalists. It found that bronze medalists are quantitatively happier than silver medalists.
On one level that doesn't make sense because the silver medalists beat the bronze medalists. It seems like silver medalists ought to be happier. But the difference maker was focus. The silver medalists tended to focus on the fact that they could have won a gold medal and it produced feelings of disappointment. The bronze medalists tended to focus on the fact they almost didn't win any medal and it produced feelings of gratitude.
Your focus determines your reality.
On one level that doesn't make sense because the silver medalists beat the bronze medalists. It seems like silver medalists ought to be happier. But the difference maker was focus. The silver medalists tended to focus on the fact that they could have won a gold medal and it produced feelings of disappointment. The bronze medalists tended to focus on the fact they almost didn't win any medal and it produced feelings of gratitude.
Your focus determines your reality.
2 Comments:
LOVE THIS DEEP THOUGHT! I will remember it!
Additionally,
Depending on the event, the last thing a person who got third experienced was "victory" and a "win" over and above the person who got fourth in the consolation bracket. Whereas, the last thing a second place medalist experienced was "defeat," a "loss" and perceived failure.
A Third place medalist, often already experienced "the defeat" somewhere earlier in the competition... They are the one's who then determined with resolve to "get up" and "win" what they could...that which was left for them to win...
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