The game isn’t everything; it’s the only thing

We loved playing games when we were kids; Risk, checkers, capture the flag, kick the can, four corners, street hockey, pickle, rundown, tag, red light, anything that we could find, or invent, to enliven the day.  And if I remember correctly, we always wanted to win. We were crazy competitive.  But not so much that we'd spend time studying "How to win at . . . " The goal, after all, was the game itself; having fun and keeping it going.

And here's where most people get business, money, life, etc. all screwed up.  They make it about getting to some future place - winning, arriving, accumulating, achieving - instead of making about enhancing the experiences and lives of everyone right now.  They confuse measurement with reality; scorekeeping with human experience. They ruin the "game," so that they can get "home."

There is a way out of this madness, and that's to get up in the morning and change the game.  Make the game about contribution, problem solving, inclusion, experience enhancement and life improvement.  Don't get rid of scorekeeping, but feel free to change the rules as you go.  Move the goal lines in.  Push them out.  Do whatever you have to to keep the game challenging, ongoing and, for everyone's sake, enjoyable.  It's about camaraderie, fair play, collaboration and passion!

Posted April 30, 2009
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Comments

casual observer

You're prescribing action for risk when in reality, we live in times of uncertainty. All the positive homilies aside, you can't make a difference when you are kept out of the game. Good luck moving those goal posts!

Posted by: casual observer | April 30, 2009 at 10:40 AM

Mike Alderson

Thanks Tom. A reality check. We all need one now and again and yours was timely.

Mike

Posted by: Mike Alderson | May 05, 2009 at 05:28 AM

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