Let's play a game.

Do you take on different games in your life? Like making your goals into a game? I always teach my clients to have fun and be playful with their goals. I encourage them to make it a game and be creative, this makes the whole process more enjoyable for them.

A lot of times we wait for the things we want and desire to show up in our lives. You know, waiting for that knock on your door and hear, "hello I am the dream job you have been waiting for". This is unrealistic and causes you to feel disappointment when it does not show up in your life.

In a game YOU show up ready to play. This is a very different approach then waiting for things to happen and being a spectator. When playing a game there are only two outcomes, win or lose. The important thing is that you play by the rules and you play to win. If you do not win it is not the end of the world. If anything you now know what not to do the next time you play.

When you turn your goals in life into a game it makes taking risks easier. When you approach a goal without the game mentality, you focus on all the hard work you will have to put into it. You focus on the risk of what you may lose if you try and fail and you start to dread it. Choosing to have your goals be a game puts your focus on the journey and having fun. You learn and look for how you can play better and improve your game.

When starting to play a game think about what is at stake for you, if you win or lose? For example, I am in a seminar right now and what is at stake for me in playing the game of the seminar is that I create a move to Athens that is smooth and peaceful. Every time I play all out I learn something that will help me for my move.

Thinking about what is at stake helps me stay on track. When I find myself procrastinating or making up excuses I ask myself "does that help me create the move I want?" Then I get playing again. I get creative with my games and post them up around my office so I am constantly reminded of them. I also share it with people in my life so that they can support me and hold me accountable.

Your assignment for this week: Come up with a game to play. Start by picking a goal you want to achieve but that you have been dragging your feet on starting. Make up a game, includes the rules, measurable outcomes, and what action you as the player need to take in order to win. Get in the habit of recoding how your game is going on a daily basis.

Copyright (c) 2008 Melisa Milonas LLC