The concept of “the game of life” is frequently mentioned in our society, suggesting that success hinges on wealth, beauty, prestigious connections, and raising high-achieving children.
This perspective turns life into a competitive race, emphasizing status and accomplishments over the essence of living.
However, this comparison-driven outlook is fundamentally flawed. Life, in its richness and complexity, should not be reduced to a contest.
Life is NOT a game.
Unlike games where objectives and winners are clear, life’s true essence is far more nuanced.
Games involve direct competition, with success measured by adherence to externally set rules and achieving goals of no intrinsic value, such as scoring points in sports.
While entertaining and engaging, using games as a model for life overlooks the depth and breadth of human experience.
“Find out who you are and do it on purpose.” – Dolly Parton
A truly fulfilling life is built on foundations that cannot be quantified or directly competed over. This includes living by personal ethics and values, nurturing deep and meaningful relationships, engaging in hobbies that promote wellness, and finding satisfaction in one’s work.
These aspects of life are subjective and resist comparison. For example, when comparing two happy people, it’s impossible to objectively determine who has more fulfilling relationships. These are subjective measurements.
By focusing on measurable, competitive goals, we risk overlooking the very elements that make life worth living.
Healthy relationships thrive on mutual support and shared joy in each other’s successes. However, when life is seen as a contest, it breeds envy and resentment, transforming friends and family from loved ones into rivals.
This mindset hampers the development of genuine connections and mutual affection.
“If you cannot be a poet, be the poem.” – David Carradine
Defining Success on Your Own Terms
Adopting societal measures of success can distract from personal values and goals. Everyone’s journey is unique, filled with individual strengths, weaknesses, and aspirations.
Fulfillment comes from living according to your own values, making decisions that bring personal happiness rather than chasing externally defined achievements.
The harsh reality is that by societal standards, most of us will be deemed failures.
Maybe you’re one of the 0.01% who is incredibly smart, affluent, charming, and physically attractive, who finds a wonderful spouse, and has a bunch of cute kids who end up in the best schools. If that’s the case, I’m happy for you.
For the other 99.99% of us, the bad news is that we’re going to deal with frustrations and setbacks and many things we simply don’t excel at and never will.
Yet, this does not mean a fulfilling life is out of reach.
Embracing our individuality, valuing our relationships, and appreciating our achievements can offer a richness that no competitive victory can match.
The moment you enter the game of life, you’ve surrendered your autonomy and are prioritizing what others deem important. You’re chasing life goals that you had no role in formulating but which now you’re pursuing for the sake of “winning.”
Any “victory” in a game where you’re living life on other’s terms will ultimately prove to be Pyrrhic.
A Pyrrhic victory is a victory that inflicts such a devastating toll on the victor that it is tantamount to defeat.
Such a victory negates any true sense of achievement or damages long-term progress.
“Other people’s lives seem better than yours because you’re comparing their director’s cuts with your behind the scenes.” – Unknown
The Pitfalls of Comparisons
Comparing oneself to others is inherently destructive.
It leads to a dichotomy where you either view yourself as less than others, fostering insecurity, or as superior, which can cultivate arrogance. True contentment and moral integrity come from internal satisfaction, not from surpassing others.
While competition and games have their place, they should not dictate the framework for our lives. Life’s true value lies in experiences that foster growth, happiness, and connections. These elements transcend the simplistic win/lose paradigm of games.
Shifting away from the mindset of life as a race against others towards a journey of self-discovery and fulfillment can dramatically alter our sense of satisfaction and happiness.
If you’re looking to navigate this journey with a financial plan that resonates with your unique values and goals, rather than chasing the societal metrics of success, Luthuli Capital is here to guide you.
We specialize in creating financial plans that not only ensure you succeed in life on your own terms but also help you focus on what truly matters to you, free from the pressures of competing with others.
Contact Luthuli Capital today to start crafting a financial plan that celebrates your individual path to winning at life.