How to Not Be a Sore Loser as an Adult
- 1). Offer your congratulations. Even if you feel embarrassed and upset deep down, do not allow your emotions to rise to the surface. If you do that, you may come across as selfish and like you are trying to take the spotlight off the winner. Instead, approach the winner with warmth and enthusiasm. Compliment him for doing a good job, making a point to come across as authentic and genuine as possible.
- 2). Cool off. Right after you lose is not the appropriate time to release your emotions, whether you're screaming, sobbing or shaking your fist. If you worked hard at something, it is only natural to feel upset and overwhelmed when things don't go your way, but to be a good sport, save those feelings for later, when you are alone. Use the time immediately after your loss to regain some perspective and gain acceptance of what just happened. You may notice that, with a little bit of time, you don't feel as bad about it anymore.
- 3). Stay away from blame. Even if you're tempted to point fingers at another person for being the cause of why you lost, do not do it. Excuses in these situations only make you look bad and like you are looking for a scapegoat. Instead, take full responsibility for the situation. Do not blame your opponents. Do not blame the officials.
- 4). Keep things in perspective. In the moment, you may feel like your loss is a big deal, but if you step back for a second and analyze your current situation compared to many others, you may realize that you have a lot -- and that this loss is just a tiny blip on the radar of your life. The easier it is for you to realize that, the quicker you will be able to shake off your loss and move forward with your dignity intact.
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