What kind of competitor are you?

[mahoganymann]

We’ve all met people who hate to lose and get upset when they don’t win (either upset at the game, upset at themselves, or both). And we’ve all met people who really like to compete, turning daily activities into contests. The key difference between the desire to win and the desire to compete is how one feels about losing. For those who desire to win, losing is painful. For those who desire to compete, losing is useful information about the skills of those competing.

1. “Winning isn’t everything. It’s the only thing.” Strong desire to win, low desire to compete. Some folks compete to win and only compete when they think they have a chance, but drop out if they judge their work hasn’t made them competitive. They aren’t interested in seeing how they stack up against others if that comparison would put them somewhere other than near the top.

2. “It’s not that you won or lost but how you played the game.”…Low desire to win, strong desire to compete. Some love competitions of all types, but they aren’t troubled if they don’t win. They enjoy turning daily activities into competitions and generally find competitiveness to be a motivator in itself. While they put in their all for every kind of competition, losing doesn’t diminish their interest in playing again.

 3. Then there is these guys!!!  Strong desire to win, strong desire to compete…  They represent the height of competitiveness. These people have high confidence in their abilities and refuse to back down from any challenge. They are willing to keep playing until they win. In the dish-washing competition, should they lose, these guys will demand a rematch and strategize ways to win. In the end, they will put in the work necessary to be the best dishwasher.

I guess the reason for writing this is while I was at the National NWTF in Nashville Tn. this last week I enjoyed the company of all those around me. I have seen and experienced all of the above mentioned personalities. I want to challenge each of you to think about these points and determine which one you are. BUT most important about these personalities is that none of them do their “thing” by belittling others work or making excuses for their own. I’m a full believer of getting your game on and keeping your mouth shut!

What kind of competitor are you?

This is Steve Brown thought of the day!

[GR8CALLS]

Steve

   Some of the finest call makers I have known, have never found it a must to win any contest but the one between the turkey and the hunter. I take pride, in making my calls with the one hope that the hunter will find them useful tools, in his quest to harvest a turkey. I'm not sure where the line is drawn between ribbons and sales......one this is certain......it doesn't hurt to win ribbons to boost sales. Then again, a phone call telling you that a first time turkey hunter used one of your calls to take his first bird..............is just as priceless. I see it as a win,win........either way.



Bill

[mahoganymann]

Bill.. I would much rather a 12 year old boy hold up his harvest than me ever hold up a ribbon. I'm with you brother!

[fargobox]

Steve, I am glad you posted this and hopefully respondants will be honest with their thoughts.  I guess I would put myself within #3. but lightly so, however, not to the extreme extent of a desire to win or to compete.  I have always enjoyed the competition, as in many things in life, but mostly from the folks I meet sharing of experiences and the personal gratification of the experience in the shop, achieving a goal...pushing myself to do better, focus more, etc.  I guess since it is a competition someone will 'win' and some folks will 'lose', but I have never thought of it that way.  To me the NWTF call making competition is more of a guild, maybe I am trying to convince myself it is that way, but I have been very fortunate to share techniques, thoughts on tools, search and find great wood to share, spent time in fellow callmaker's shops, hunted with them and so on.  All of that has brought about more of a fellowship/comradarie toward a bigger goal and reward that a competition just can't deliver IMO.  The ribbing each other to win and the notion of possibly winning, heck, I won't lie....it's fun, all good fun and, because of it all  I have met so many interesting and good people.

[strutnrut]

There is a 4th. Those who don't care about awards or ribbons and only desire to build the best call they can.

I spent a huge part of my life in the military. I was awarded some high awards. All I ever gotten from them are bad memories. I hardy even look at them. Maybe my Grand Children will look at them with pride and say My Papa earned this. Me I find it hard to do.  I would rather go to a show and meet new people who share the same passion, talk with old friends, poke fun at each other and have fun. I understand why some put calls up to be shared because if there isn't a way for people to see and enjoy your work then why would we work so hard in building them.  Callmakers put sweat, love and heart into their calls and are proud of their work and want to share it.   

IF and I say IF.... I was to ever put a call in to be judged at the NWTF it won't be for some ribbon, it will be for the sole purpose of having a call out on the table were everyone could run it and maybe just maybe some will like it enough to look me up and try one.