To win is a noble goal. And one all athletes should strive for. Nothing matches the intoxicating feeling of conquering the competition. For in that moment, that hour, that day, winners are invincible.

Yes, winning is important. Champions love to win. But champions don't play to win. While winning is often the result, true champions do not make it their sole purpose for competing.

When winning becomes their purpose, it becomes empty. Unfulfilling. Pointless.

Or something to be accomplished at all costs. Costs that involve cheating or hurting others.

Then such behavior spills over into other arenas. Like cheating in school to get the best grade. Or gossiping about a classmate to make one's self look better.

Champions, however, would rather lose than cheat or harm their competition. Because champions aren't driven by the desire to win. They are driven by the desire to be the best they can be.

To make the most of their talents and abilities.

To always improve a little more each day.

To do what they dream of doing.

So when champions win on the playing field, they win because they earned it. They endured the process of practice, of making mistakes, of learning from those mistakes, of executing the skills necessary to win.

When champions win in the classroom, they endured the process of studying, of learning, of doing their own homework to increase their knowledge.

What is your purpose for winning? Is it simply to please others? Or do you strive to win for your own reasons? Does you know what your purpose is?

By the way, a purpose such as "It's fun" or "I like being part of a team" is grand enough to ignite the heart of a champion. The point is to know why you play. That why is the foundation of your future.

Find your own personal motivation for competing today. It should not be about winning. It should be about pursuing your dreams. Your passions. Your desires.

Without a passionate purpose, you will never be a champion.