By Shazad
“Life is like a game of cards. The hand you are dealt is determinism;
the way you play it is free will.”
Jawaharlal Nehru
There are many games in life. Status Games, Money Games, Relationship Games, and Power Games, to name just a few. Most people you know are playing one or more of these games whether you realize it or not. When was the last time you stopped to think about your life and how you are behaving to understand what game or games you are involved in along with why you are even playing them? Do you fully understand the rules of your chosen game and do you have a clear understanding of what “WINNING” looks like?
For me, the only game worth playing is the Long Game. I like to look to 5 years and beyond into decades to imagine what my life could be like and how to position myself today to achieve Victory over and over again in the long run. I do this with my health, career, my relationships, and overall life satisfaction. I examine the process of successful outcomes over time that compound so the idea of a WIN is not an event like the score of a hockey game in a championship tournament but rather, a continuous engagement or state of play like in business and personal relationships. The idea of small WINS over time that forms bigger WINS when you add them up really appeals to me. It’s like working out consistently in the gym and eating well, most of the time. You can’t help but become a WINNER with robust strength, endurance, and happiness. Playing the Long Game is also not about ‘defeating’ others. Instead, you look for mutual WINS or at least opportunities where your WIN doesn’t come at the cost of someone else so no one has to LOSE when you WIN. Long Games are sustainable, practical, and even enjoyable because they are based on your values in life, your long-term vision for your life, and your desire for continuous improvement rather than a single but hollow or temporary “victory”.
Figure out your game, and all the rules, and then play it to the best of your abilities. Make sure you understand what the costs are and how the best players in the world got where they are so you can avoid some big mistakes as well as being prepared to make the necessary sacrifices or investments of time, money, and other resources. Go on the playing field with open eyes, ears, and minds so that WINNING is ultimately a series of intentional moves you make and not a matter of dumb luck or random timing. I hope you WIN in the best games of your life and that you keep on WINNING!
Want more Awesome writing from us? Go to this link and order your copy of the Awesome Life book today! Click Here to Buy The Awesome Life Book!