The Long Game
In life we sometimes want and/or need quick wins.
You identify a problem at work and you simply need to mitigate risk as fast as possible.
Life comes at us so fast, full of ups and downs, requiring us to juggle a multitude of tasks on any given day.
While keeping your eyes focused on the long game is important, sometimes the short game is necessary too. For many people, it’s easier. It’s more rewarding. It’s here and it’s now.
And for other people, the long game provides structure. A framework to work towards. But in order to follow the long game, you need patience, resources, a deep commitment, and support. Without those, the long game trails off.
Do you ever find yourself daydreaming thinking about how you can do X, Y, or Z better? Do you think in terms of small improvements? Is your head full of a future where you are faster, more efficient, healthier, or happier? If you are anything like me, I have these thoughts all the time.
The hard truth is we all need to play BOTH the short and long games. It depends on the situation and context. It’s never just black and white.
Let’s look at any accomplished figures in history. Olympians, Presidents, CEO’s, Philanthropists, or Fortune 500 companies. These individuals and organizations were not created overnight, and never without balancing the short term needs with the long term processes. In all cases, it takes a balance and a commitment, to TIME.
Time is all we really have in the end.
Some things take sacrifice of time.
Some things require little time.
Start with understanding what is needed to get in the game. When you have clarity of the long game, the short game becomes easier to manage. Break your goals down into easily manageable tasks and steps.
Be one ounce, one inch, and one step better tomorrow than you were today. That’s where the THE LONG GAME begins.