Achieve Greatness by Being a Victor, Not a Victim
Do you have a victor or a victim’s mindset? Here’s what you need to know if you’re not sure. A victor has a positive outlook towards life and takes ownership of every decision he/she makes. A victim, on the other hand, approaches life very negatively and always blames external factors or people when things go wrong. “As long as you think that the cause of your problem is ‘out there’ — as long as you think that anyone or anything is responsible for your suffering — the situation is hopeless. It means that you are forever in the role of victim, that you’re suffering in paradise.” – Byron Katie. This quote sums up what it means to have a victim mindset.
Listed below are some differences in attitude between a victor and a victim.
| Victim Mindset | Victor’s mindset |
|---|---|
| 1. When a person with a victim mindset messes up he finds a reason to say, “It wasn’t my fault.” | 1. When a victor messes up, he owns his mistake and says, “I was wrong.” |
| 2. A victim is often “overwhelmed” and just can’t find the time to do what is necessary – just “too busy” being busy. | 2. A victor works harder than a victim and he “makes time” when he doesn’t seem to have any. |
| 3. A victim finds ways to avoid a problem instead of dealing with it. | 3. A victor works through a problem, no matter how frustrating it is. |
| 4. A person with a victim mindset makes excuses. | 4. A victor’s attitude is one that says, “This is good, but it can be even better if I work on it.” |
| 5. A victim thinks, “Everything is unfair, that’s why I’m unable to succeed.” | 5. A victor thinks, “I’m special and that’s why I will succeed” |
| 6. A victim looks for short-cuts to take the easy road out. | 6. A victor is all about the preparation. |
| 7. A victim is nervous and afraid to fail. | 7. A victor is excited and anticipates achievement. |
Here are three tips to help you be a Victor and not a Victim
1. It’s Your Choice
If you want to live as a victor, choose to have a victor’s mindset. When adversity comes your way, it’s your golden opportunity to have the right attitude and respond to the problem as a victor. However, if you switch over and feel like a victim in the face of adversity, you automatically give your difficult situations the power to control you.
2. Don’t Fear Failure
It’s easy to get sucked into having a victim’s mindset when you’re afraid of failure. The famous Thomas Edison once said, “I have not failed. I’ve just found 10,000 ways that won’t work.” His attitude of not giving up in spite of failure staring right at him is what lead Thomas Edison to stay focused on his dream and succeed. Thomas Edison’s attitude was that of a victor.
3. Outcomes don’t define you
Being a victor means knowing who you are and believing in yourself.
If you constantly look down on your abilities and talents, you will never be able to reach your full potential and achieve greatness. Also, don’t let bad outcomes to situations bring you down or define who you are. You are so much bigger than that.
You can’t always control what happens externally. But, you can control who you choose to be when you are faced with adversity.
Our upcoming webinar, “Pursuing Greatness in Adversity” will help you change your approach towards adversity. Click here to know more.