I was playing ball somewhere once and a female I was seeing called me at night, after the game. Or maybe I had called her, but whatever.
She asked me how the game had went. I told her we'd lost, but that it wasn't a big deal because it was just an exhibition/practice game and I didn't really know the other players I had played with yet. Both latter facts were true, but she questioned me on the "game not mattering" comment. I tried to brush off her questioning but she pressed me on it (very few women in my life have ever had this ability; I treasure the one who do). And I knew I was wrong for saying it and I felt like less of  a competitor for allowing those words to come out of my mouth.

No that I've read Relentless, I remember Tim's words: There is no such thing as a meaningless game or business transaction or day at work. When you're the person on top (or trying to be), everything matters. And you make sure everyone around you knows it too.