'I Won Because of You'
Turning negative energy into positive performance
My friend Gregg and I gleefully attended the US Open Tennis Championship 2019. It was the best sporting event I’ve ever attended.
Breaking into the mainstream was a young Russian player named Daniil Medvedev. Medvedev was competitive, challenging, and openly expressed his anger. The crowd at the Open was emotive that year and fed into the energy. These turned into boos.
“When you sleep tonight, I want you to know I won because of you. I was so tired. I was cramping yesterday. It was hard to play. Your energy gives me the win.”
- Daniil Medvedev US Open 2019
I loved his defiance, honest frustration, and performance throughout. It was relatable. It also felt distinctly American. As the tournament continued, the boos turned into cheers. We watched Medvedev defeat his opponent in the match after, and the energy remained electric. He was not giving up.
Medvedev made it to the finals, playing against Nadal. He lost in a close match. But the 24-year-old had cemented that he belonged in the biggest arena in tennis. That he wasn’t going away. That he could win big.
Inertia is a powerful force. Being booed or facing retaliation is not particularly rare.
Many times in one career, particularly when you are striking out on your own or starting something new, you might feel attacked by ‘haters.’ The system will snap back at you.
While it might still be a 1% occurrence in your interactions, these moments happen. It won’t be easy, particularly when you don't fit the conventional mold and aspire to be bold.
In both business and sports, it’s a long game, and you have to make it to the end.
How do you manage your emotions?
Anger is one of the most basic human emotions. Anger isn't intrinsically destructive.
As I got older, I've seen these interactions and the initial anger as a gift. Others have echoed similar sentiments. Anger and frustration can fuel you to new heights. The unlock has been learning to take anger and the moments and turn them into jet fuel to power your next leap.
Five steps to turn negative energy into positive momentum
Let go of the particulars fast. We live in a competitive world. Whatever the interaction, it’s rarely genuinely personal. The tit-for-tat isn’t important.
Internalize that success is the best revenge. Success in a hugely competitive field of startups and investment is challenging and achievable. Professional-level tennis might be more difficult. Proving them wrong through performance is the only way forward.
Take the anger and get it to work for you. Turn the energy generated from haters into your grit. You’ve got to get going and focus your power to get results.
Take action. What is the most important thing you can do to accelerate your success? Do it. Now.
Be grateful for the energy. Worse than having haters is being irrelevant. People giving you energy is a gift.
Perform. Execute. Focus. It feels good, and if you keep at it, it’s impossible to fail.
As Medvedev heads again to a strenuous semi-final today I wish him the best. Watching such a passionate player take hits and emerge victorious is inspiring.