How Bad Do You Want It?

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How Bad Do You Want It?

Winning isn’t always about being the biggest, strongest, or most talented. It’s often about wanting it more deeply than anyone else.

In the movie Troy, there’s a powerful scene about competition and motivation.

I don’t want to spoil it, but if you haven’t seen a movie that was released in 2004, you probably weren’t going to watch it anyways. The concept was simple. Tribes fought to control territories, and emperors could choose how battles would be decided. Either the whole tribe fought, or each side chose their best warrior to fight one-on-one.

Brad Pitt plays Achilles, a legendary and cold-blooded warrior. Every time Achilles showed up, his emperor chose warrior versus warrior, because he knew Achilles wouldn’t lose.

After winning battle after battle, a young soldier finally asked Achilles, “Why hasn’t anyone beaten you yet? You’re not the biggest or the strongest.”

Achilles replied, “I want what all men want: to win. I just want it a little bit more.”

Achilles didn’t just wish for victory. He worked for it. He never forgot why he was there or why it mattered. He willed himself to victory, by wanting it just a little more than his competition.

That’s the key difference in your pursuits. Everyone wants to succeed. Everyone wants to accomplish their goals. But winning goes to the person who wants it just a little bit more, who works for it rather than wishes for it, and who constantly remembers why they’re doing it.

Whatever you’re pursuing, don’t just wish for success. Work for it. And never forget why it matters.

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