Game Time
“Great leaders are the ones who think beyond “short term” versus “long term.” They are the ones who know that it is not about the next quarter or the next election; it is about the next generation.”
- Simon Sinek, The Infinite Game
Today I want to ask you to think about the variety of games we play.
We have a concrete tic tac toe board that sits on a picnic table in our garden. It has been there for so long that honestly most of the time I forget it is there. Over the years the game has been played with the kids or at parties we have hosted in the garden, and funny thing Ed and I had never played the game together.
That is until recently when Ed and I were entertaining each other, as one does in mostly quarantine these days, and he challenged me to a game. And, okay I will admit, he walked away the champion after many rounds of the game.
Did you know that the game of Tic Tac Toe was first known to be played during Egyptian and then Roman times? A bit differently than today but played all the same. Games seem to have become part of our human nature.
One thing I miss so much about our large family gatherings from yesteryear is when we would play spoons – a game we all loved to play together. We would get pretty rowdy, including my mom who would get downright ruthless (in a loving way) in her attempt to get one of the sought-after spoons in the middle of the table before everyone else swiped them up.
The pandemic took away sports games as we had come to know them, which have come back in a form I think satisfies sports lovers a bit, but nothing like the real games that could fully be participated in. And I think that being able to participate in one form or another is important for heading towards the love of the game.
Here is a question, is a game won because of strategy or luck?
And perhaps the even bigger question becomes is winning whether in a board game, sports game or the game of life all about winning only? Is everyone winning from the pleasure of the game, as you enjoy either participating in or watching the game?
It sure seems in the game of politics right now that winning at all costs seems to the what our incumbent president has in mind no matter who gets hurt in the process, including our country as a whole. I repeat as a whole not just some while others are left behind as “losers.”
Over the weekend I sadly watched on You Tube as a protest got nasty in my hometown in southern California against the two sides of the political spectrum. Hate seems to have become a perceived tool for winning – whoever hates the most wins is that how it goes? Isn’t it the job of our leaders to bring people together? The whole liberty and justice for all piece of the game?
My hope and prayer as we move towards November 3rd is that we can look at the idea of the word GAME in new light, in the light of how many will actually win by the choices we make versus how many will lose. I like to think of this political game win in this way…
Gain momentum in removing so much hate from our country.
Aim towards the right moral gain that will allow so many wounds to heal.
Move towards what is good for the vast majority not just a certain few.
Each and every American must vote for the win.
As I write this there are 70 days until the election. Here’s to keeping our sanity through it all as we do a lot of truth fact checking along the way.
Help others who are struggling with the voting game and apply now to get your mail in ballot for backup just in case you can’t get to the polls. I have been voting by mail in for at least 10 years with no problems. https://www.usa.gov/absentee-voting
While the simplicity of tic tac toe seems so much easier to talk about as we move towards election day, conversations will be essential around the more difficult things that will help with the long-term win versus a short term win.
A win that will make a difference for generations to come as we return to becoming the best we can be at this game we are all playing called being an American. Not for the win of any political party, a win for the best for and in all of us.
How will you play the game this week?
To Your Success and Victories,
Cheri
Cheri Ruskus, Business Growth Coach
cheri@businessvictories.com • 303-652-1718 • @victorygirl
Need more business clarity? businessvictories.com/clarity
Join the Victory Program
Gain confidence and clarity in your business
Need more help in growing your business ideas? It’s time to get the confidence and clarity you desire for your business. Hire me as your business coach and I’ll provide the strategy, support, and accountability to take your business to the next level over the course of this 6-month program. After joining this program you will get instant access to all of my online courses and will be able to schedule your first meeting as soon as next week!
This is for committed entrepreneurs only and space is extremely limited. Let’s partner up!
Have a few questions first?
Schedule a 20-minute phone conversation
