The 2018 Wimbledon runner up to Angelique Kerber is Serena Williams.
Despite losing and without taking away from Kerber’s victory, Williams is being touted as the GOAT (Greatest of All Time – sorry Roger!) for her 23 grand slam singles wins, and returning to the highest level of tennis less than a year after her traumatic experience of childbirth and its subsequent complications.
Why luck has nothing to do with it
Sometimes when we hear these stories, we tell ourselves that is because the person was “lucky”. That they were in the right place at the right time. That there were other contributing circumstances that made it “easier” for them. That if we were born into that, then we would be that successful too.
But, as Williams says:
“Luck has nothing to do with it because I have spent many, many hours, countless hours, on the court working for one moment in time, not knowing when it would come.”
Look behind every single example of a “lucky” person and you’ll find hours and hours and hours of work, persistence, effort that have gone into it.
Here are some other gems from Williams:
I don’t like to lose — at anything — yet I’ve grown most not from victories, but setbacks.
Everyone’s dream can come true if you just stick to it and work hard.
You have to believe in yourself when no one else does.
It doesn’t matter what your background is or where you come from, if you have dreams and goals, that’s all that matters.
Growing up I wasn’t the richest, but I had a rich family in spirit.
If Plan A isn’t working, I have Plan B, Plan C, and even Plan D.
Don’t let anyone work harder than you do.
I am lucky that whatever fear I have within me, my desire to win is always stronger.
If you smile, things will work out.
Make sure you’re very courageous: be strong, be extremely kind, and above all be humble.
I really think a champion is defined not by their wins but by how they can recover when they fall.
Victory is very, very sweet. It tastes better than any dessert you’ve ever had.
If I don’t get it right, I don’t stop until I do.
Overpower. Overtake. Overcome.
If winning is God’s reward, then losing is how he teaches us.
Every woman’s success should be an inspiration to another. We’re strongest when we cheer each other on.
KEY TAKEAWAYS
Only one today .. be inspired by someone who has worked hard, very hard, and achieved plenty – with much more to come.
If it’s not Williams there are so many examples of other people to be inspired by – not to compare ourselves to – but to inspire and encourage and enable.
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See you tomorrow (yes a month of posting daily!)
