Shift Your Focus: Build Your Win Column

We’re wired to focus on what we’ve lost. The failures, the setbacks, the missed opportunities—they’re always front and center, ready to remind us why we’re not where we want to be. But what if we flipped that mindset? What if, instead of dwelling on the losses, we made a conscious effort to track our wins?

The Power of a Win Column

Take a moment and write down every win you’ve had—big or small. Every challenge you overcame, every lesson you learned, every time you pushed through when quitting felt easier. The losses will always be there, but so will the wins—if you choose to see them.

Most people let their losses define them. They use failure as an excuse to stop trying. I decided a long time ago that I wouldn’t be that person. Losing never bothered me, because to me, losing meant I was trying. And as long as I was trying, I had a chance to improve, iterate, and come back stronger.

Redefining Failure

Growing up, I didn’t fit into the traditional mold. I wasn’t the best at completing assignments or checking all the academic boxes. But I knew I was different. I was wired for math and science, and that was enough for me. That was my lane. Instead of fixating on where I didn’t measure up, I leaned into my strengths.

That’s the key. Everyone has strengths. Everyone has wins. But if you only focus on what’s missing, you’ll never recognize what you already have.

How to Start Tracking Your Wins

1. Make it a daily habit. Write down one thing you accomplished each day, no matter how small.
2. Reframe your failures. Every setback is an opportunity to learn. What did you gain from the experience?
3. Surround yourself with growth-minded people. The right environment will push you to recognize your progress instead of dwelling on your shortcomings.
4. Look back and review. When you feel stuck, go through your win column and remind yourself how far you’ve come.

Focus on Progress, Not Perfection

At the end of the day, success isn’t about never losing. It’s about refusing to stay in a losing mindset. If you keep iterating, keep learning, and keep taking action, you’re never really losing—you’re just building momentum for your next win.

So, what’s one win you can write down today?