Thank you for writing stuff that I need to hear. "Success is proof of your value. Without it, who are you?" really made me stop and think. Finite games vs infinite games is a concept new to me. "In infinite games, there is no finish line" made me think of Emerson's "It's not the destination, it's the journey" in a whole new light.
Loved the post - it reminded me of Bob Buford who captured it well when he said "the first half of life is a quest for success, the second is a journey to significance"
“Comparison is the beginning of misery” a friend told me about a decade ago. I was searching for meaning. Climbing that ladder others had placed and created.
It stuck with me that saying. Now I play my own game. I no longer compete with others for work or money, and no I am absolutely not made of it either. One month of no work and I’ll have to seriously think about how to pay my bills from selling some things. Playing my own game, discovering and deciding what my boundaries and values are and what I care about had freed me from hustle and depression. I woo for clients, sure, but I don’t compete with others for them. Others will be more suitable for them at times, that’s ok. I will be more suitable for them at other times. And some clients I discover I don’t want to work with because of their values or their lack of, so I fire them. My life and happiness and sanity and growth or rather development, the unwrapping and discovery of the gifts within me, as I curiously and sincerely am and act in this world is beautiful.
I’m pretty good at many things I do or focus on. Now I choose what I spend my time and energy on. I have become an artist, where I facilitate and coach strategy, leadership, and execution. I bring my whole self to work. I ask the hard and difficult questions most are scared to ask, and it appears to be valuable. Thanks Steve for being a loud and honest voice on this journey (from afar, I’ve never met him but followed his journey and discovery/transformation over the years)
This made me think of Kevin Kelly's advice: "invent a new definition of success."
For my own sake, I've found it helps to avoid these "what do I want to be great at?" questions entirely. Like, why do I need to have an answer to that?
Instead, can I stick with a vague notion that "I want to live MY great life" in all it's messiness and complexity? And then just try to make the best decisions I can each day, figuring it out as I go.
Great email, Steve. The line that really got me was this:
"But if the game you’re playing forces you to sacrifice the very things that make life worth living—what exactly are you winning?"
Very well captured, friend.
Thank you for writing stuff that I need to hear. "Success is proof of your value. Without it, who are you?" really made me stop and think. Finite games vs infinite games is a concept new to me. "In infinite games, there is no finish line" made me think of Emerson's "It's not the destination, it's the journey" in a whole new light.
Beautifully said. Thanks, Steve 🙏🏼
I love that your self-reflection on your recent podcast remarks catalyzed this article. So much gold in here!
Loved the post - it reminded me of Bob Buford who captured it well when he said "the first half of life is a quest for success, the second is a journey to significance"
“Comparison is the beginning of misery” a friend told me about a decade ago. I was searching for meaning. Climbing that ladder others had placed and created.
It stuck with me that saying. Now I play my own game. I no longer compete with others for work or money, and no I am absolutely not made of it either. One month of no work and I’ll have to seriously think about how to pay my bills from selling some things. Playing my own game, discovering and deciding what my boundaries and values are and what I care about had freed me from hustle and depression. I woo for clients, sure, but I don’t compete with others for them. Others will be more suitable for them at times, that’s ok. I will be more suitable for them at other times. And some clients I discover I don’t want to work with because of their values or their lack of, so I fire them. My life and happiness and sanity and growth or rather development, the unwrapping and discovery of the gifts within me, as I curiously and sincerely am and act in this world is beautiful.
I’m pretty good at many things I do or focus on. Now I choose what I spend my time and energy on. I have become an artist, where I facilitate and coach strategy, leadership, and execution. I bring my whole self to work. I ask the hard and difficult questions most are scared to ask, and it appears to be valuable. Thanks Steve for being a loud and honest voice on this journey (from afar, I’ve never met him but followed his journey and discovery/transformation over the years)
Such a great piece 🙏🏻
This made me think of Kevin Kelly's advice: "invent a new definition of success."
For my own sake, I've found it helps to avoid these "what do I want to be great at?" questions entirely. Like, why do I need to have an answer to that?
Instead, can I stick with a vague notion that "I want to live MY great life" in all it's messiness and complexity? And then just try to make the best decisions I can each day, figuring it out as I go.