The Infinite Game: Navigating Life's Challenges and Building Positive-Sum Businesses
Games are a popular form of entertainment that allow us to engage in activities that challenge us mentally or physically, provide opportunities for socialization, and are ultimately fun.?
With most games, we can choose whether or not we participate.?
Life also can also be viewed as a game that we are all playing, whether we choose to or not.?
Within life though we can choose what types of games we play and how that directly affects us and the world around us.?
In this game of life, we are all presented with different challenges, obstacles, and opportunities, that we must learn to navigate effectively.?
As with all games, there are rules to follow, and whilst they vary depending on the game, we must make strategic decisions to achieve our goals and objectives.?
In life, unlike games, there is no predetermined objective or endpoint, we don't know when it will end, only that it will at some point.?
This is the only rule we can be certain of in the game of life.?
Therefore, within this unknown time limit, we can choose to either play a game in which the rules are fixed and the objective is to win (finite games) or a game in which the rules are fluid and the objective is to keep the game going as long as possible (infinite games).
This notion is well described in the book "Finite and Infinite Games" by James P. Carse.?
It explores the fundamental differences between finite games, which have a fixed set of rules and a clear endpoint, and infinite games, which have no fixed rules or endpoint and are played purely for the sake of continuing the game.?
Carse argues that while finite games can be enjoyable and useful, infinite games are the only ones that truly matter, as they represent a way of life focused on ongoing creativity, growth, and exploration.?
He suggests that by recognizing the infinite nature of the world around us, we can embrace a more fulfilling and meaningful existence that is not limited by the constraints of finite thinking.
Some may argue that life is not a game, as it involves complex and important issues such as love, career, and personal fulfilment.?
However, I would put to you that in each area of your life, you can choose to play to win (finite) or you can choose to play to enjoy the game itself and continue playing (infinite).?
In fact, I would say that most of us when considering our love lives, careers and personal fulfilment are playing to enjoy it and continue playing.??
Overall, viewing life as a game in this way can help us approach our challenges with a sense of playfulness and creativity, as we strive to achieve our objectives and make the most out of our time on this earth.
But what does this all mean for a career as a business owner and someone who wants to build wealth??
After all, I did promise this newsletter would focus on freelancing, business, and personal development.?
The above can best be explained when comparing zero-sum and positive-sum games.?
Whilst finite and infinite games as a concept consider primarily the length of play, zero-sum and positive-sum are two different types of games based on how the outcomes affect the players.
In a zero-sum game, the gains of one player come at the expense of the other player.?
This means that the total amount of rewards or resources available to the players remains fixed, and any gain by one player is balanced out by a loss by the other player.?
As a currency trader, for every profit I make, there is another trader somewhere in the world that incurs a loss.?
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To facilitate the transaction for someone to win, someone must also lose.?
Likewise, when I take a loss, somewhere, someone else has made a gain.?
As with any highly competitive game involving money (poker being another example), it requires me to have the skill and strategy to be successful.?
I must carefully analyze market trends, economic data, and other factors to make strategic decisions that will enable me to come out ahead.?
All in all, it is a fun game to play.?
It keeps me sharp and it brings with it a killer instinct for success that transfers to other areas of my life.?
Of course, the financial benefits of playing such games are well known but what if I wanted to have a wider positive impact on the world around me?
In contrast, a positive-sum game is a game where the gains of one player do not come at the expense of the other player.?
In a positive-sum game, the total amount of rewards or resources available to the players can be increased by cooperation and collaboration.?
My freelance content writing is a positive-sum game as it creates value for both myself and the client. I benefit from a flexible schedule, diverse projects, and the ability to build a portfolio.?
By providing high-quality content, I can attract new clients and increase my earnings. On the other hand, my clients benefit from expert perspectives that enhance their message and engagement that builds their brands.?
Freelance writing creates a win-win situation where both parties benefit from their collaboration.
Now, while zero-sum games have their place in specific contexts such as making money, they are finite games, in that, at some point, a winner or loser must be declared.?
Whereas positive-sum games are generally preferable in the long term because positive-sum games have the potential to create value for all participants.?
Positive-sum games are infinite games, in that they can be played indefinitely, and the potential benefits can continue to grow over time just like a business.?
In contrast, zero-sum games are finite games with a predetermined endpoint.?
By playing positive-sum games, individuals and organizations can work together to create value that extends beyond their narrow interests.?
This not only benefits others but can also create a more sustainable and equitable opportunity world for everyone.?
In terms of choosing a life path and deciding to play positive-sum infinite games, there is a great Greek proverb that explains the life choice of choosing to play infinite games perfectly.?
"A society grows great when old men plant trees whose shade they know they shall never sit in."?
This is clearly a positive-sum, infinite game. In this example, ‘old men’ have benefited from leaving a legacy after they’re gone and society benefits from their efforts, in this case, the metaphorical tree planting.?
Overall, understanding the differences between these types of games can help us approach different situations with different strategies and mindsets, and navigate them more effectively.?
By choosing which games we participate in we can better make sense of our reasons for living and with that what we may or may not want to leave behind once we’re gone.?