Is Bronze better than Silver?

Views are strictly personal. Sources are cited. Feedback is welcome!

Is Bronze better than Silver?! / 097, 14 Oct 2023

A team of researchers studied all winners at the 1992 summer Olympics, especially their emotional reactions. Unsurprisingly, gold medal winners were the happiest. But surprisingly, silver medal winners were less happy than bronze medal winners! Apparently, silver medal winners were focused on the fact that they could have done better to get the gold, whereas the bronze medal winners were happy to have made it to the podium! A matter of perspective, isn’t it? The Silver medallists tended to focus on Aspiration (they could have won the gold); whereas the Bronze medallists focussed on Satisfaction, (they won a medal) and that is the theme for today. Do read on!

The human mind is tuned to looking for something better, and that is generally a good thing. But after a point, it is important to pause and take stock of what we have, and where we have reached. In the above example, the medal winners have achieved the pinnacle. But all the other participants who reached the finals, and even those who made it to the Olympics representing their nations have achieved so much more than the average sportsperson. That is something worth savouring and feeling proud of. Popular phrases like ‘a bird in hand is worth two in the bush’, and ‘the grass is greener on the other side’ point out the merits of Satisfaction and not letting the omnipresent desire of Aspiration cloud the present moment.

So how can we manage both – Aspiration (keep growing) and Satisfaction (stay grateful)? Well, it’s not that difficult, actually!

• Keep a journal: we may not have the time to maintain a daily diary, but we can try to record a few highlights and lowlights of our life every month. When we look back after a few years, we can take pride in some achievements (Satisfaction) and also look at areas for improvement (Aspiration).
• Gratitude for small things: if we have a job, a family, a home with modern comforts, and good health, we are luckier than so many others. We often take these for granted. It is natural to aspire for more (Aspiration), but gratitude will play a key role in keeping us grounded (Satisfaction).
• Excellence matters, rankings don’t: push yourself every day to become a better version of yourself. Excellence is a daily task master that keeps complacence (Satisfaction) at bay while reminding us of what we need to achieve (Aspiration).
• Success is a moving goalpost! We have a fixed notion of success as a specific goal/ target/ position. But looking back, what success means to us today is different from our college days. And will change again. Realising this helps us balance Aspiration and Satisfaction and cherish the bronze medal moments in our lives too!

I hope you enjoyed reading this one, and as always, I request you to share your thoughts and experiences in the comments section. Let us build a conversation around this topic!

Warm regards, Krishnakumar.

Image courtesy:

bronze medalists are happier - Bing images

References:

Why Some Olympic Bronze Medalists Are Walking Away Happier Than Silver Medalists - Big Think

?

?