Play to Win
I was being coached on a business decision, when my coach asked me, “Are you playing to win…or are you playing not to lose?” Talk about an immediate perspective shift!
So often when I make business decisions, I have what I call the “back door open” or at least some kind of contingency plan. When I operate from that place, I experience a lack of firm commitment to my goals and my inner knowing. I enter into the decision with an attitude that is less than 100% in the game.
Whatever your goal is around creating a more abundant life in some area, pause to reflect on whether you are playing to win - or whether you are playing not to lose.
Playing to win means being on the offense – having the intention and commitment to get to where you want to go, no matter what, and playing full out to get there. It requires a definite decision to move forward.
Playing not to lose is being on the defense - covering all the bases, having other options to fall back on, having a contingency plan.
For example, take a look at your coaching business. Reflect on how you ‘play the game’. Is your primary concern survival and security - which is where I can certainly get stuck - or is your primary concern the full expression of your work in the world, no matter what? I challenge myself with this on a regular basis.
Begin to look at your habits to see which category they fit into.
If you are playing not to lose, you may invest a small amount of money in your business, with a number of possible contingency plans if this one doesn’t work out.
If you are playing to win, you may decide to invest a larger amount of money - have a committed intention: focus on the result: take action.
Situation: _______________________________________________________
Playing not to lose looks like ________________________________________
Playing to win looks like ____________________________________________
We are always at choice.
© 2009 Body Mind Spirit Coaching. All Rights Reserved.
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