This weekend's loss at Arkansas has provided much discussion and invariably the talks of 'heartbreak' and 'overrated' have begun to permeate the airwaves and social media posts. I have found myself on that same negative thought train many, many times in the past and have just recently concluded that I am the problem and so are you. Hear me out.
These are Kids

I can still hear myself thinking this about young employees I have had over the years. They make mistakes just like me and you. I sit here making all the perfect calls, executing the play in my mind, and expect those on the field to follow suit. Crazy. While I love to win, (who doesn't?) to put this much faith in a team but back it up with zero forgiveness for mistakes, is double-minded at least, and a touch insane at most.
These are people
Sounds obvious. Want to mess something up? Add people. I can't recall how many times I screwed something up which was otherwise, ideal. Relationships come to mind, business deals, conversations, whatever. We are fallible beings. Mistakes are our M.O. and to expect perfection in anyone deemed 'a person' is silly. Cut them and yourself some slack.
Winning takes time
The last fifteen years of Tennessee football have been a wild ride. Five head coaches, two others as interim coach, and now a little bit of winning has us forgetting where we've been lately. I swore off the Vols after the way some hirings and firings took place, but the new culture, winning attitude, and the fruits of success have brought me back from the dark side. Tennessee is 4-1. That is a .800 winning percentage. Take a breath.

Losing early is best
This loss could have been a nail in the coffin had it come in November. But it didn't. There is one undefeated SEC team out of sixteen. Texas, whom we do not play in the regular season, and who play Oklahoma in Norman, OK this coming weekend. Also, this is the first year of a 12-team playoff. Tennessee is just as part of the mix as it was before the Arkansas loss.

Tennessee controls their destiny
There is zero chance that Tennessee will be left out of the 12-team playoff if they win out. No chance. Before you let your mind and attitude say to yourself, "there's zero chance they win out" consider again that you are the problem. If they use the loss as fuel for that fire, the Vols still have a shot at the title.
Final Thoughts
Chill out and consider the positives. Tennessee has a talented, young QB, a coach who cares, and a culture resembling the glory days of old. Things are looking up, so should you.
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