IT HURTS....

On Tuesday evening, I signed up for a badminton game with a meetup group. I have never met them before but I thought, "Heck it, I will go and make new friends."

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Turned out the players were really good. So good that I got trashed very badly. I took it in my stride as my game partner (a financial advisor too!) gave me a lot of pointers.

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At the end, the organiser came to me and said, "You are not playing at our level. So I am sorry. You can't join us in the future."

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"OUCH."

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Gotta say, it has been a while since I face such a painful rejection. Well at least when you tell me you get rejected the next time by a stranger at roadshow or worse, from a close friend or family member, I can tell you that I FEEL YOU!

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My game partner felt bad for me. So did my coach when I related the story to him.

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In his words, "They are so mean..."

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Well yes, the organiser could have put his words a little more kindly but the fact is I am really not playing at their level. That's honest feedback.

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Question is am I going to go into denial, play victim or own it?

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And as you probably have guessed it, I chose to OWN IT. Uncle Ben from Spiderman says "With great power comes great responsibility". I think otherwise.

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I think, "With great responsibility, comes with great power!"

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By taking responsibility for my incompetence in badminton, I have now empowered myself to work at it a . I am even more committed now to work at this game. Not that I am going to compete or anything but I really enjoy this process of becoming a beginner again.

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Yes it hurts, both physically (I am turning 37!!) and emotionally but pain is weakness leaving my body.

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I hope my little encounter will inspire you today and better yet, for your entire career. It is OK to fall as long as you FALL FORWARD.

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In time to come, you will get good! I know that for a fact and I just want you to know that I am here (always) rooting for you!

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Help me share this with someone who needs an encouragement too.