Henley Regatta has been taking place since it was first stage on 26 March 1839. It is a series of rowing boat races at the town on Henley-on-Thames.

I have been to the event a number of times over the years but it was a while since I had attended. I had been offered some tickets by Henley Business School, of which I am an Alumnus and Ambassador, so it seemed like a perfect opportunity to revisit, share some time with fellow Alumni and other people I know.

The weather was perfect and the trip down the river on the steam paddle boat a delight - we had an ariel view of the activity on the river. As always there are little boats bobbing about; some wonderful old craft with a canopy, under which were people tucking into a picnic hamper with a glass of something in hand. Some boats were a little scruffy with less well-dressed people and their dog all part of the Henley spectacle.

The course is 2112 metres long so it will take a lot of energy and stamina to row the distance. As can be seen in the picture, eventually one of the two rowing teams win, the other is knocked out.

As with anything competitive there is a lot of preparation and a strong desire to perform on the day. Yet if you lose, as it is a knock-out competition, all too soon you are on your way home. Just like so many things in life, there is no second opportunity...certainly on this day.

Yet when we have a real interest in our chosen activity we go home and soon back training, working out how to perform better, not defined by our loss.

But in life how resilient are we to pick ourselves up and push forward again?

So often we hear of people who had a small setback and that seems to define who they are, the performance they made, the results they got.

It is not easy to stand up after a fall, a loss, a defeat. Those who do, and keep going, are the pioneers who push boundaries and make records. This is not just in the sports world; it is in life. The quotation from Winston Churchill: “Success is not final, failure is not fatal: it is the courage to continue that counts”. It is a good way of thinking.

For sure there is disappointment when things do not go right; usually there is a next time.

• So do you prepare well enough to win?
• When you are defeated do you regroup and go again?
• Do you enjoy the experience no matter the outcome?

I know it is tough when things do no go well...I know only too well that it sometimes takes a lot to pick oneself up and go again.

Perhaps it may be worth taking a few moments, jot down a few thoughts to mull on, add your own questions and see what surfaces - then decide what you will do to have the 'courage to continue'.

I am sure that the rowers in the race who had not won will be back again to compete and soon.

Anyway, certainly a day to remember, value the company I had on the day and I hope to return in future years.

My best wishes,

Peter