Playing To Win

“Life is a game, all you have to do, is know how to play it.” – Unknown

As kids, we loved to play games.  The strategy, the competition, the joy of victory and the agony of defeat, the lessons learned and applied.  As kids, life was a game…until it wasn’t.

At some point we were told that games are for kids and “real life” is something different.  We stop playing.  We become spectators.  We stop keeping score.

I will have you consider that, as the quote above says, life IS a game and all that we have to do is to know how to play it.  More importantly, we have to apply the simple fundamentals of a game to our lives, and take purposeful action.

Whether it be business or personal, individual or team, the foundation for playing the “game of life” is the same.  Consider these six fundamental questions for making any aspect of life a game that you can play…and win.

1. What is a win?  How do I define and measure what a “win” looks like?  This is the foundational question that “game-ifies” life.  If we can’t measure and control outcomes to a clear win/loss we lose interest and stop playing.  What is one target (win) that you want to achieve in your life that you can define with certainty and clarity?
2. Why am I choosing to play this game?  Participation is a choice.  Once you define the win, why does it matter to you?  Why do you want to play?  The answer to this question creates purpose and provides leverage on yourself when things get hard.  Knowing “what” is foundational, but knowing “why” is critical for success.
3. What has to happen?  Gameplan for the results you want.  No coach would take his or her team onto the field without a gameplan, and you cannot expect to achieve anything significant in the game of life without one either.  Once you have the what and why clear, you have to understand the strategies and resources needed…the how.
4. What am I committed to doing OR What am I capable of doing?  Once you have the gameplan, you have to ask yourself, “Am I committed and/or capable of executing this plan?”  This is your first true test.  We are shifting from theory to application, and the reality is that you may not be committed or capable of executing the gameplan…today.  It may require different resources first.  It may require you to shift your perspective, priorities, and mindset before you can fully commit. It may require you to acquire new skills first.  Once you identify the “gap” between where you are and where you want to go, you can take purposeful action toward closing the gap.
5. What happens when…?  What are the obstacles int the way?  Outside of the mindset and skillsets that you bring into the game, what are the external obstacles?  How are you going to adjust to, and counterpunch, adversity?  When you identify and strategize the potential obstacles, you are ready to face them head on.
6. How will I keep score?  Throughout the game, there has to be a way to keep score.  There has to be a scorecard.  Without metrics, there is no way to tell if you are winning or losing.  Create and/or identify the metrics that you will use to keep score…and do it.

Life is a game.  Business is a game.  Personal production is a game.  Are you willing to play the game to win, or are you going to spectate and let others decide if you win or lose?  It’s your choice.