Have you done something before that you did as well as it possibly could have been done?

I was watching Roger Federer, a Swiss tennis pro, win his eighth Wimbledon championship. If you don’t follow tennis, Wimbledon is a cherished championship. No one has won it eight times.

It takes two weeks and six matches to win. Federer, who is 37, played at a very high level. He was asked if he could play any better.

“You can always be better. But it could be much, much worse. I’m pleased with how I’ve played,” he said.

The mindset of a winner:

“Always be better.” Having experienced success, I can’t recall any of them that didn’t have room for improvement. A winner has the knowledge that there is room for improvement.  And, the desire and will to improve it.

“Could be much, much worse.”  A winner can define a winning performance. He is an expert. He has worked hard to understand what is unacceptable and what is good. While Federer knew he could be better, he also knew that most weren’t performing as well as he was.

“I’m pleased.” The winner has perspective. While better is possible, much defines the process. Did he prepare well? Did he execute his plan? Was his effort excellent? Was he achieving results? Some would let the lack of perfection be the source of discontent. A winner puts a performance in its proper context.

The desire to be better. Rejoice in a job will be performed. Be confident and appreciative of skills honed that lead to performing at a consistently high level.