Why does everyone have to get a prize?

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 04/08/2015 (3758 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

I was recently at an annual golf event at which a variety of ‘consolation prizes’ were awarded after the meal and the main trophy.

 
Most but not all the participants received a prize. This prompted a bit of outrage on the part of a friend, who wondered why all the participants weren’t given a prize. 

 
Another friend and I said  that not everyone had to get a prize and that’s just how the cookie crumbles in real life.

This position may come across as somewhat cold and uncaring but I am just trying to make a case for honesty in recognizing winning and losing.

In youth sports, scores in one-sided games in which the score is greater than 5-0 are not posted to hide the truth from the team that is being decimated.

Here are our children and their cohorts being ‘saved’ from the possible demoralization that comes from losing badly.

When my sons were younger and playing hockey, I asked one of them, and his teammates, for their take on it.

Their emphatic response was “We know what the real score is anyway!”

Which brings me back to the question posed by my friend.

When we give everyone who participated in an event a prize, what message are we sending?
Where is the honesty in honouring those who work hard the same way as those who just show up?

How will our children navigate the work world when they are prepped to expect a prize every time they attempt something?

Rather than doling out prizes to everyone could we instead challenge people to build and improve on what they accomplished?

As a coach, I acknowledge my clients for taking steps towards their goals, no matter how small. I celebrate the small wins with them, however, I am held accountable to keep my clients moving forward — to achieve specific goals. Hence, I challenge them to rise above their last accomplishment — to ‘win the cup.’

This they can only do by honestly working to their best.

Phyllis Reid-Jarvis is a dietitian and life coach. Contact her at living@ultimatepotentials.com