On December 30th, 2016, my Son and I decided to watch UFC (Ultimate Fighting Championship) 207. It wasn’t billed as just another UFC Pay-per-view. This one would pit a returning former champion, Ronda Rousey against current champion, Amanda Nunez.
The hype preceding the fight was somewhat muted on Rousey’s part. She did very little press and stayed relatively quiet. This would be her return to the ring after losing her title over a year before to Holly Holm who also handed her the first defeat of her UFC career. After Holm took her title,
Rousey admittedly dealt with depression and staved off thoughts of suicide. So, this would be her comeback. Odds were in her favor in the minds of many and especially, those in Vegas!
Most watching thought Ronda would be back to her old self. When she entered the ring, she did so in the best shape of her life and with an intensity to match. But a successful return was thwarted and all too quickly. Rousey was defeated in a mere 48 seconds after being pounded by the champion. My son and I looked at each other stunned. How does a former champion who put the Women’s division of the UFC on the map fall so hard and so quick?
The memes started immediately and the Internet was abuzz blaming everyone from her coach to the fighter herself. Some predicted her retirement while others encouraged her to return. For her part, Rousey has only said that she is taking some time to evaluate what’s next.
Here’s the caveat: Rousey earned $3 Million for getting beat in 48 seconds while the Champion, Amanda Nunez earned right at $100,000.00. You read that right. Rousey earned about $2.9 Million more than the Champion — and she lost the fight—in 48 seconds. By my calculations, Rousey earned a whopping $62,500.00 per second!
How does that happen? Ronda Rousey is a brand all by herself. Think what you want and say what you will but the value that she has brought to UFC is far beyond what she earned in this fight or all the others combined. She is the first woman to ever sign a contract with the UFC and that division was built on her shoulders.
How many times has that happened to you? It seems like you win, win, win and are on top of your game. Then, suddenly, no matter what you do you can’t hit that level of success you once had? Maybe you feel has if you have never really “won” and all you do is move from failure to failure. Regardless of where you are, like Rousey, you can bounce back. Don’t let your losses define you. Rather let them drive you to embrace your destiny. Here’s how to come back when you have been defeated.
First, Evaluate. Rousey is doing that now and doing it the right way. That takes time. Usually, after a loss, we are emotional and often irrational. That’s not the time to make any life altering decisions. Let the initial shock and emotion to wear off first then begin an honest to goodness evaluation of what you did right and wrong. Write it all down and don’t hold back.
Second, Enlist. You can’t bounce back alone. You need a team that will surround you. Like an MMA fighter, you need a coach and a corner person. You need someone who can give you the strategies and someone else who will keep pumping you up. Find a counselor, coach, mastermind group or even club that can provide both accountability and affirmation.
Third, Envision. Come up with a plan and utilize your team to help you do it. Another fighter, Mike Tyson is credited with saying, “Everyone has a plan until they get punched in the mouth.” He’s right. Plans will change and they should be flexible as things won’t always go the way you mapped out. That’s all the more reason to not just have a plan, but also multiple approaches to getting back on top again.
Finally, Execute. All the teamwork, plans, and processes known to man won’t work if you don’t take action. Far too many wait for the New Year, the new book, the new course or a new path. Start. Move. Adjust. Progress. Keep moving in the direction of your plan.
If you feel like you’ve failed, you’re stuck or you just need to start over, then begin where you are. Garner the help you need, draw up a road map and get to work. The possibilities are endless.
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