Poems about Winning
Be inspired by these short poems about winning. May you find wisdom and encouragement about what it takes to win.
But, before you read them, think about what winning means. Some people say that winning is when you are successful and triumphant in your work or in sports. Some say it is conquering your life fears. And others say you are second to none, you are the star. What is the difference between winning and losing?
You may find these inspirational poems about winning may give you a different outlook on what it means in life to win.
Updated May 8, 2026, by Catherine Pulsifer.
To Win or To Lose in Life
To win you will have perseverance
To lose you give up easily.
To win you will have a passion for what you do
To lose you would rather be doing something else.
To win you believe in yourself
To lose you constantly doubt yourself.
To win you make the decisions and do it
To lose you are wishy-washy, never fully committing.
To win you have enthusiasm for what you do
To lose you are mediocre and uninspired.
To win you demonstrate optimism by finding solutions
To lose you can only see the problems.
To win you have to focus, you keep moving forward
To lose you are all over the map, stepping back more than forward.
To win you take the risks
To lose you are risk-averse.
To win you overcome the challenges presented
To lose you let the challenges overcome you.
To win you demonstrate a positive attitude, seeing the good
To lose you demonstrate a negative attitude.
To win you find the opportunities
To lose you wait for the opportunity.
To win you use your time efficiently and effectively
To lose you procrastinate.
To win you set your goals, you take action, you set deadlines
To lose you think about it but never set concrete plans.
To win in life you choose your attitude
To lose in life you also choose your attitude.
Be a winner in life!
Make One More Plunge
If first you haven't learned to swim,
You're facing life with prospects dim;
You've lost your nerve and missed your stride,
And oft may wish you could have died.
But if you swim, life's tide will still
Convey you through each trying ill ;
Fear not, when stopped, again to lunge -
Stand up and make another plunge.
The swimmer who would gain renown
Must sometimes sink, be oft cast down;
Must swallow water, gulp and choke,
Before he learns the steady stroke.
But soon he's safe in that calm sea
Wherein lie rest and victory.
If you have sunk, try once again -
Stand up and plunge into the main!
Before the swimmer learns to float,
He hovers near some friendly boat.
And looking 'round with anxious eye
Cries out for help when waves are high.
But when he finds no boat at hand
He paddles hard and gains the land;
So though in troubles to your chin,
Strike out with all your might - and win!
Keep-A-Trying
Till at last we own the prize
That belongs to him who tries
With faith undying;
Own the prize that all may win
Who, with hope, through thick and thin
Keep a-trying.
Work Wins
Know what you want.
Keep your mind always on it.
Face facts, but remember there is always a bright side.
Above all, keep the tightest control of yourself.
Remember that work wins in the end.
No success is won without it.
No success is worth having unless honorably earned.
Success
Success consists in doing well
the menial tasks each day;
The hero in life's battle stern,
Must win the petty fray.
It Can't Be Done
The man who misses all the fun
Is he who says, "It can't be done."
In solemn pride he stands aloof
And greets each venture with reproof.
Had he the power he'd efface
The history of the human race;
We'd have no radio or trolley cars,
No streets lit by electric stars;
No telegraph nor telephone,
We'd linger in the age of stone.
The world would sleep if things were run
By men who say, "It can't be done."
The Winning Salesman
Most men are worth just what they bring,
And he is worth the fewest pence,
Who comes back to the boss and whines,
"I couldn't get an audience!"
Big things turn up when they are turned,
And difficulty's no defense;
Go back where once they turned you down,
And firmly seek an audience!
No stern rebuff or courteous slip
Should fail a man of grit and sense,
And if you keep your head and nerve
You'll surely get an audience!
The greatest men in every sphere
Fail often - but straightway commence
To try once more, and in the end
They always get an audience!
So take your knocks just like a man;
Somehow, you too, can leap the fence!
If one way fails, another wins -
Go back and get your audience!
Workers And Winners
Keep striving: the winners are those who have striven
And fought for the prize that no idler has won;
To the hands of the steadfast alone it is given,
And before it is gained there is work to be done.
Keep climbing: the earnest and steadfast have scaled
The height where the path-way was rough to the feet;
But the faint-hearted faltered, and faltering failed,
And sank down by the way-side in hopeless defeat.
Keep hoping: the clouds hide the sun for a time,
But sooner or later they scatter and flee,
And the path glows like gold to the toilers who climb
To the height where men look over landscape and sea.
Keep onward - right on, till the prize is attained;
Front the future with courage, and obstacles fall.
By those, and those only, the victory's gained
Who keep faith in themselves and the God over all.
He Earned His Way
He rose unto the heights of fame
And with the great men stood,
He heard the people cheer his name
And speak of him as good.
Success at last he had attained
By toiling day by day;
His father's name was unprofaned,
His crest of honor was unstained,
He earned his way.
He had not sought the easy road
Nor tried a doubtful scheme,
But he had borne his heavy load
Up hill and over stream.
He had not stooped to do a wrong
That might not be unlearned;
But though the way at times seemed long
He plodded on with courage strong
And every victory earned.
He heard men whisper in the night,
That venturing disgrace,
And stepping from the path of right
But hiding every trace.
Were all he had to do to win.
That honor could be feigned.
But still he kept a lifted chin.
Filled with the holy thought within.
To earn whatever he gained.
He rose unto the heights of fame,
And with the great men stood;
He never compromised with shame,
Nor bartered what was good.
With head erect he toiled along.
With clean hands for the fray.
He heard the gossip of the throng
That many profited by wrong.
But earned his way.
I Will
It is the strong "I will" that wins the day.
I will do my part in this great work.
If others fail, I will succeed!
Such a spirit as this has won victories,
And will win for you in the ranks of those
Worthy to be called sons and daughters of the King.
Pray for a spirit of consecration, that we may be
Willing to pour out our lives, our all, at His feet,
And then go forth Spirit-filled, conquering and to conquer!
We'll Make It Through
We travel down a long and winding road,
Sometimes we can feel so low;
Life's ups and downs can oft time corrode,
Those defeats that seem to grow.
But if we push on with courage and tenacity,
Battle through those draining lows;
Victorious success will come for sure one day,
It's the spirit within us that knows.
Though it's true winning has its hard times too,
In the end, hope will remain;
By pushing onward we'll always make it through,
Have faith in life after defeat's refrain.
Win or Defeat
How do you win when you face defeat?
You will never win if you retreat
You will never win if you just take a back seat.
Defeat can be a disappointing thing
But always remember the lessons it brings
So stand back and realize it is not an ending.
Then with a winning attitude
Move forward with fortitude
Apply the lessons learned then substitute.
A winner has a determined view
They don't sit and stew
They look for ways that are new.
A winner has perseverance too
They believe they can do.
They will find a way through.
A winner believes it can be done
They don't accept defeat, no none.
They pray to God for help from above.
So in the end, defeat may appear
But a winner knows success is near
They find a way around the issue.
And in the end defeat disappears.
That is not to say a winner has no fears
But they constantly push forward to a win that is clear.
Key Messages About Winning
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Winning Begins With Attitude
Many of these poems remind us that a positive attitude and belief in ourselves are often the first steps toward success.
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Perseverance Leads To Success
Winners are usually those who continue trying even after setbacks, disappointments, or failures.
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Hard Work Matters
Achievement rarely happens without effort, determination, and a willingness to keep moving forward.
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Defeat Can Teach Valuable Lessons
Several poems show that losing or facing challenges can help us grow stronger, wiser, and more prepared for future success.
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Success Is More Than Recognition
True winning is not always about trophies or praise from others. It can also mean overcoming fears, improving ourselves, and staying true to our values.
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Hope And Courage Keep Us Moving Forward
Even during difficult seasons in life, courage and hope help us continue striving toward our goals and dreams.
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Continue reading more encouraging poems and quotes about perseverance, success, hard work, and overcoming defeat.
Conclusion
We hope that these poems about winning have given you thoughts on what winning truly means in your life. Winning is not always about being first or receiving recognition from others. Often, real success comes from perseverance, determination, courage, and refusing to give up when challenges appear.
Many of these poems remind us that setbacks, disappointments, and defeats are all part of life. What matters most is how we respond to those moments. Winners continue moving forward, learn from mistakes, and maintain hope even during difficult times.
Whether your goal is success in work, personal growth, relationships, or overcoming life's obstacles, remember that attitude and persistence play an important role. Keep believing in yourself, continue striving toward your goals, and never underestimate the power of determination and a positive outlook.
As Vince Lombardi once said, "Winning isn't everything, but wanting to win is." May these poems encourage you to keep trying, keep believing, and keep moving forward no matter what challenges life may bring.
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"Success is not final, failure is not fatal: it is the courage to continue that counts."
Winston Churchill