“It’s not so important who starts
the game but who finishes it."

John “Wizard of Westwood” Wooden was the greatest
college basketball coach in history. The record winning
streak of the UCLA Bruins (88 games), including 10 National
College Athletic Association titles, gave Wooden plenty of
statistical and practical evidence that the players who start
the game are not a big factor in who is going to win. What
counts is staying in the game, playing at full capacity, and
doing your best.

This translates into the game of business. Let’s say you do
not launch a new product or discover a new sales technique
before the competition – it does not mean you are going to
lose. Do not let someone else’s innovation inhibit you.

Remember that your ability has gotten you where you are
today. Concentrate on what you do, and do not slow down
just because you did not get to market first.

Taking advantage of being second is what you should do.
Capitalise on the lessons learnt from your competition and
use that valuable knowledge to make your product or plan
better. Think of Apple’s success. They never invented the
MP3 player; they just invented the one that the market fell in
love with.

Focus on continuing to deliver excellence, and you will not
only gain from the experience, but even win the market,
which is entirely possible.