How to succeed in the game of life

Are you playing 100% in your life game, engaging yourself fully, giving it everything you’ve got? Or have you settled into a seat on the bench, put a towel over your head and bowed out? If you’re like most people, you’re probably giving only part of yourself to the game, living halfway in and halfway out.

The life you’re living today is the only one you can count on. In fact this moment is all you have for certain. If this is what you have, wouldn’t you like to give all you’ve got? That’s what being a “player” is all about – putting yourself into life with vigor, power, dedication, and love for the game, so that when it’s all over, whatever the score, you’ll know you played full out and gave life your best shot.

How to Play Big in Life

1. Focus On What Works – Star players know the value of their skills and they also know how to stay positive. While you may choose to shore up areas in which you’re weaker, keep your mind attuned to the wonderful gifts you already possess. Work with these natural strengths and see what magic transpires.
2. Believe In Yourself – You are your omnipresent coach, always there to see you through. Make sure you know how to give yourself the encouragement, reassurance, and support you need to be your best. Then give it, give it, give it.
3. Listen To The Right Voices – Some folks will want you to succeed, others may not. Choose the company of people who champion you, love you, and help you to reach the goals you want to reach.
4. Have A Team – Great players don’t play alone, they have coaches, teammates, trainers, fans, and agents who help them reach their peak. Surround yourself with people who can further your growth and success.
5. Aim For The True Goal – Go for what YOU want in your life. Working to achieve things that aren’t meaningful to you isn’t energizing, nor does it help you fulfill your life’s purpose.
6. Play To The Finish – Sometimes being a player requires super stamina and perseverance to stay your course. Setbacks, delays, or seeming obstacles may arise, but you don’t have to let them derail you from your mission. Read the signs and signals you’re given and make corrections to your plan as needed.
7. Value Your Resources – As a star player, you need to have the proper resources for your game, the best ones you can find. Be mindful of how you use and maintain these resources. Your body, for instance is one of your key assets, whatever your game. Choose to nourish it with healthful food and drink, refresh and strengthen it with exercise, and treat it like the non-replaceable resource it is.
8. Concentrate On What Matters – When you’re in a big game or are working to achieve a large goal, make it a priority. Shift your energy away from other commitments so you can attend to the main project with all you have.
9. Use Your Fear – Professionals know how to make fear work for them. Instead of seeing it as a block, they look for ways that their concern or anxiety can be channeled into positive energy. Next time you feel afraid, ask yourself one of two questions and see where that leads you: “What genuine want is on the other side of my fear?” or “What emotion do I want to replace the fear with?”
10. Learn From Losses – Experienced players know that losing is part of learning and improving their game. Take time out to evaluate your wins and losses. What sets them apart (besides the win/lose judgment)? How were you different when you lost? Was your preparation the same? Your attitude? Your expectations? Your commitment? Use what you learn to make necessary adjustments so you’ll be a better player next time.

“Oh, the worst of all tragedies is not to die young, but to live until I am seventy five and yet not ever truly to have lived.”
~ Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

What will you do to take your game up a notch? How will you challenge yourself to play bigger and offer more? I’d love to hear from you.