Do you ever feel like you’re your own worst enemy when it comes to success? Unfortunately, this is a common experience for many people, who unconsciously sabotage their own success. But the good news is that this is something that can be changed.
As I’ve entered my 40s, I’ve realized that we’re taught to take life too seriously. This can interfere with success in many ways, such as preventing us from learning faster, making better decisions, and making quicker course corrections. That’s why we love playing games – they bring a sense of lightness and playfulness that can be missing in our daily lives.
Games are a microcosm of life and can teach us everything we need to know about learning, growing, failing, and succeeding. Understanding the process of playing games and gamification can be extremely beneficial in winning at the game of life.
I’ve come up with 5 keys to winning at the game of life, based on my own experiences and observations. These keys are:
KEY #1 – Lightness: If we take life too seriously, it can interfere with our performance and creativity. It’s important to have a certain level of seriousness in life, but too much can lead to stress, which activates the fight or flight response in our brain and suppresses the default mode network, which is responsible for generating unique and novel solutions. When we’re relaxed and having fun, we’re open to new possibilities and ideas.
KEY #2 – You Must Play to Win (Finite Games Principle): A finite game is a game that has clear boundaries, rules, and objectives. In order to win at the game of life, you must play the game. This means setting clear boundaries, rules, and objectives for yourself, and understanding that there is a clear end point.
KEY #3 – Know the Rules of the Game: In order to win at the game of life, you need to know the rules. This means understanding the social norms, customs, and expectations of the game. It’s important to understand the rules of the game so that you can make informed decisions and navigate the game effectively.
KEY #4 – Play to Learn: Games are a great way to learn new skills, strategies, and tactics. The same is true for life. It’s important to approach life with a growth mindset and a willingness to learn, fail, and grow. This will help you improve your performance and increase your chances of winning.
KEY #5 – Have Fun: Life is a game, and it’s important to have fun while playing it. When you’re having fun, you’re more engaged, motivated, and focused. This can help you perform better and increase your chances of winning.
I hope these 5 keys will help you in winning at the game of life. It’s important to remember that there are infinite versions of winning, and there is no one right way. The most important thing is to find what works best for you, and to have fun while playing the game.