The Sting of a Lost Bid: Dusting Off and Charging Forward
There's no sugarcoating it: losing a bid sucks. Especially one that felt like a sure thing, one you poured your heart and soul into, one that had you dancing the victory jig before the official announcement. I, the President of Business Dev here at [Your Company], felt that punch to the gut today. Lost a big one to a Houston-based competitor, and let me tell you, my heart did a double pirouette into my stomach.
But here's the thing about this rollercoaster ride we call business development: the highs are exhilarating, the lows are brutal, and the rhyme or reason? Often shrouded in an opaque, Kafkaesque cloud. You go into each RFP with the fire of a thousand suns, the precision of a laser scalpel, and the charm of a puppy with a wagging tail. Yet, sometimes, it just doesn't land. And while the why lingers, unanswered, gnawing at the edges of your confidence, you know what you can't do?
Dwell.
Because in this game, dwelling is a luxury you can't afford. President of Sales? More like President of Short Memory. Wins deserve a celebratory toast, sure, but losses get a 24-hour mourning period, max. After that, it's back to the arena, chin up, sword sharpened. Remember that quote about hard work? It's gospel in this business. You hustle, you strategize, you refine your pitch until it gleams like a diamond, and you keep. going.
This lost bid might sting, but it's a mere drop in the ocean of opportunities ahead. It's a chance to learn, to tweak, to come back stronger. Think of it as a battle scar, a badge of honor earned in the trenches of competitive proposals. Wear it with pride, and let it fuel your fire for the next one.
Because friends, in the words of Winston Churchill (or maybe it was Rocky Balboa, I can never remember): "It ain't over till it's over." And let me tell you, this ain't over. Not by a long shot.
hard work doesn't guarantee success, but it sure puts you in the game.
Onward, to the next victory!
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