The Art of the Long Game: A Race Against Impulse
Zahoor ul Islam
VP - Head of Customer Engagement Technology @ Dubai Islamic Bank | Digital Transformation Leader
The Unexpected Challenger
Some drives home are just routine—same roads, same traffic, same monotony. But now and then, something spices up the journey, adding a touch of excitement.
It was one of those evenings. The city was bathed in a golden sunset, the sky melting into hues of orange and deep blue. As I navigated through the familiar roads on my way back from the office, a sleek sedan suddenly zipped past me, weaving through traffic with precision. The way the driver maneuvered, the way he surged ahead with calculated aggression—it was clear. He wasn’t just driving. He was racing.
I felt the challenge before it was even spoken. A knowing smirk crept onto my face. Alright, let’s play.
The Thrill of the Chase
I pressed the accelerator, and my car responded instantly. The engine growled, eager to stretch its legs. I wasn't reckless—I knew my limits, my machine, and, more importantly, the road. But in that moment, something primal took over: the thrill of competition, the unspoken camaraderie between two drivers who just?understood?the game.
We weren’t cutting each other off or driving dangerously—just two drivers testing their skills in a spontaneous, unscripted duel. I closed the gap as he tried to surge ahead, our cars gliding through open pockets in the traffic like chess pieces moving in sync.
For a few exhilarating moments, it was just us and the road.? But then, something caught my eye. A speed camera ahead.
The Power of Strategy
I eased off the gas, my fingers instinctively tapping the steering wheel. My opponent, however, showed no signs of slowing down. He was too focused on the sprint, too fixated on the moment, and barely avoided the camera. I smiled.
I watched as he blew past me, his car slicing through the lanes like a blade. He thought he had won. But I knew better.
A red traffic light loomed ahead, and beyond that, a crucial mistake he hadn’t accounted for—his lane was merging with the left-turn traffic. It was a bottleneck he couldn't escape.
I, on the other hand, had positioned myself strategically in a free-flowing lane. As his momentum came to an abrupt halt, trapped behind a sea of brake lights, I smoothly cruised past him.
Our eyes met for the briefest second. He realized what had happened. I didn’t need speed—I had played the long game.
I gave him a knowing smile as I passed. The game wasn’t just about power—it was about patience, awareness, and timing.
The Long Game: Why Strategy Beats Speed
That drive home was more than just a playful challenge—it was a lesson in competition and strategy.
Too often, we treat success as a sprint. We push harder, move faster, and try to beat everyone around us in the moment. But what separates the truly successful from the rest isn't just effort—it’s strategy.
1. Speed vs. Timing
Many people believe that moving fast is the key to success. But speed without direction is just wasted energy. It’s like sprinting in the wrong direction.
The best competitors don’t just go fast—they time their moves. They understand when to push and when to wait. The best investors don’t throw their money at every trend—they wait for the right opportunity. The best athletes don’t burn out in the first half—they conserve energy for the winning move.
Just like in my drive home, it’s not about being the first to move—it’s about knowing when to move.
2. Playing to Your Strengths
Too often, people try to win by competing on someone else’s terms. If my challenger had known the roads, he might have played smarter. But he didn’t. He played with raw speed, while I played with knowledge.
In life, instead of competing where your rival is strongest, ask yourself:
Success isn’t about matching your opponent’s speed. It’s about leveraging what you know to out-maneuver them.
3. The Power of Patience
Most people want instant gratification. They want quick wins, fast money, and immediate success. But those who truly win—whether in business, careers or even personal development—are the ones willing to wait for the right moment.
Patience isn’t inaction—it’s deliberate action taken at the right time.
4. Thinking Beyond the Immediate Victory
Many people think winning means getting ahead in the short term. But how many times have you seen people burn out? How many times have you seen companies that grew too fast collapse?
True success isn’t measured by who wins today—it’s about who is still winning years later.
It’s why experienced professionals often outperform younger, eager competitors. It’s why steady businesses often outlast flashy startups. It’s why the best drivers aren’t the ones who just press the gas—they are the ones who understand the entire road ahead.
Reflection: Lessons from the Road
As I parked my car that evening, the brief yet telling encounter on the road lingered in my mind. What started as a moment of light-hearted fun had unfolded into something much deeper—a reflection of life, competition, and strategy.
We often get caught up in the rush of the present moment, eager to prove ourselves, to get ahead, to be the first across some invisible finish line. But is that always the best path? Is winning in the moment truly winning in the long run?
That driver had speed and skill, but he lacked?awareness of the bigger picture.?He was playing the short game, focused only on getting ahead at that instant rather than understanding the entire journey ahead. This was a reminder that in life, too, the difference between those who succeed and those who burn out isn’t just?talent?or?effort?but the ability to?see the full map, not just the immediate road ahead.
Pacing Yourself for Success
We all feel pressure to move quickly, whether in our careers, relationships, financial goals, or personal achievements. Society glorifies?hustle culture, speed, and immediate success, making it easy to believe that if you don’t constantly accelerate, you’re falling behind.
But the truth is, some of the greatest successes in history weren’t built overnight. They were built with patience, foresight, and well-timed moves.
Like a well-played race, life’s biggest wins aren’t about explosive bursts of speed but about understanding when to accelerate, when to hold back, and when to make the defining move.
Choosing Your Battles Wisely
Another key reflection from that drive: Not every challenge needs to be engaged.
When that driver sped past me, I could have reacted impulsively, pushing my car to its limits just to “win” in that fleeting moment. But at what cost? A speeding ticket? An unnecessary risk? Instead, I chose my moment wisely.
In life, we face endless opportunities to compete—at work, in relationships, in personal ambitions. But not every battle is worth fighting.
Patience, Positioning, and Perspective
That night, as I drove past the red light where my competitor was stuck, I wasn’t celebrating a victory. Instead, I was reflecting on the bigger lesson:
As I pulled into my driveway, I realized that this wasn’t just about a race—it was about how we approach life, decisions, and success. The most successful people aren’t the ones who rush blindly. They are the ones who see the whole journey, anticipate obstacles, and play their moves wisely.
Because at the end of the day, life isn’t just a sprint. It’s a long and strategic road—one that rewards those who know how to play the long game.
As I shut off the engine and leaned back in my seat. The race was over, but the lesson would stay with me. The smartest drivers—and the most successful people—don’t just rush forward. They play the long game.