The Ultimate Game

There is no winning fitness.

There will be no moment of arrival.

There won't be a point you can stop.

You need to keep playing.

Chess, hockey and football are all finite games. They have rules. A start and an end. Clear winners and losers.

In fitness, business and life, however, there are no rules. There is no clear finish line.

You can keep playing though. And that's how you win; staying in the game.

But what about the races I train for? What about my goal to lose 10 pounds? What about my Whole 30?

"Finite games can be played within an infinite game, but an infinite game cannot be played within a finite game. Infinite players regard their wins and losses in whatever finite games they play as but moments in continuing play."

- James P. Carse, Finite and Infinite Games

You've got to play the long game. It's the only way to be successful and keep playing. Maybe it looks different over time, or you have different goals [finite games] that motivate you and get you in the door. But the game is always there. There's no destination.

I hope this perspective doesn't overwhelm you. Instead, I hope it brings you relief. There is no rush. No need to hurry to the finish line. To end on a cliche, it's the journey not the destination. Keep yourself in play.

Justin Miner

@justinminergain