Recently, tennis legend Roger Federer gave a speech at Dartmouth College that resonated worldwide. One of his key messages was, “Whether you win or lose, it’s just one point,” which really struck a chord with me.
Federer said, “When you’re fighting for a point, winning it is crucial. But once it’s over, it’s gone. Only with this mindset can you fully commit to the next point and every point thereafter.”
This reminded me of my experiences as a tennis player. Beyond the principle of “it’s just one point,” another crucial mindset has helped me through tough times: “Life is a best-of-five match.”
Every point matters, but knowing it’s a best-of-five match lets us see the bigger picture. We don’t need to win every point; we focus on the key points that lead to victory. Losing a point here and there doesn’t affect the overall outcome, allowing us to stay focused on the next point.
We often think winning requires perfection in every aspect. But even for top players, winning a match is about having a win rate slightly above 50%. With this perspective, we can experiment and take risks. Maybe try a drop shot or test the opponent’s backhand. Losing a few points is fine because the lessons learned from these mistakes lead to success.
This principle also applies to investing. In early-stage investments, everything can seem risky. Obsessing over winning every single point and fearing loss can leave us stuck. Viewing the investment portfolio as a best-of-five match allows us to embrace risks, find opportunities, and focus on the critical investments that lead to victory.
Transforming the unattainable goal of perfection into a more achievable 51-point goal helps us stay composed, think strategically about the next point, and keep moving towards success. If you’re troubled by a single lost point, adopting the mindset of “life is a best-of-five match” can help you regain your courage and keep striving for the next round.
