Find an Excuse to Win

 Last night, my 14-year-old daughter curled up next to me on the couch.

We put on Lone Survivor—one of my all-time favorites. I've seen it more times than I can count, but watching it with her felt different. Slower. More meaningful.

Those moments?
They hit harder than any movie ever could.

And somewhere in the middle of the film, a line landed:

“Find an excuse to win.”

It's simple. Almost too simple.

But I haven't been able to shake it.

We tend to think winning is loud.

A promotion.
A big deal.
A race finished.
A scoreboard that proves something.

But that's not what this is about.

Winning isn't about beating someone else.
It's about how you respond to what life gives you.

“Find an excuse to win” isn't about domination.

It's about interpretation.

It's about deciding—moment by moment—that whatever happens gets used in your favor.

You mess up with your kids?
Win by owning it. Repair it. Grow from it.

You succeed at work?
Win internally—stay grounded, stay present, stay grateful.

You fail?
Win by learning faster than anyone else.

You don't wait for winning moments.
You create them from whatever moment you're in.

Because life isn't clean.

It's messy. Unfair. Inconsistent.

You will get knocked down.
You will be misunderstood.
You will lose things you thought you needed.

And still…

You can always find an excuse to win.

Sometimes winning looks like humility.

Letting someone else shine

Sometimes it looks like truth.

Stepping on the scale.
Looking at your bank account.
Admitting something isn't working.

Sometimes it looks like love.

Calling your parents when it's been too long.
Apologizing first.
Giving yourself grace for something you're still carrying.

And sometimes?

Winning is just getting up again.

Winning isn't an outcome.
It's a decision you make over and over again.

Every breath.
Every moment.
Every setback.

There is always an excuse to win—if you're willing to see it.

So before you scroll on…

What's your excuse to win today? Share it with me! 

And more importantly—

Will you act on it?

Because here's the truth most people avoid:

You're going to die sooner than you think.

So you might as well laugh at yourself and enjoy your life. 

Enjoy the wins.
Respect the losses.
Lean into the struggle.

And through it all—

Find an excuse to win.

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With love and respect,
Adam Hergenrother