Yes, everybody loves a winner. We all tend to gravitate toward people who are positive and confident, enthusiastic and joyful. And while they might not always be winners of new business (and corresponding revenues), positive people approach things with an upbeat attitude and don't dwell on what is bad.
How do you come across? Are you generally positive and upbeat? Or do you reply to the question "How are you doing?" with a somewhat morose "hanging in there."
Everybody loves a winner or at least everybody loves someone who doesn't bring them down. Maybe the sympathy plea works with your family or friends, but don't try to use it with your business contacts. You'll find people will flee from you like from the plague.