Life isn’t a casual kickabout—it’s a real game, with strategy, teamwork, setbacks, and moments of triumph. Some people stroll onto the pitch and hope for the best, while others come prepared with a plan, ready to play with purpose and joy. The difference isn’t talent—it’s how you approach the game.
Winning doesn’t mean crushing the opposition or collecting trophies. It means showing up with intent, putting in the practice, and enjoying the match as it unfolds. It’s about progress, not perfection. That’s what Winning The Game is all about—learning to play life with a winning mindset that makes every challenge feel worth the effort.
Learn the Rules Before You Step On the Field
You can’t win a game if you don’t know the rules. Yet most people wander through life reacting to whatever comes their way, like players who’ve joined a match without knowing how to score.
Start by defining your version of winning. What does success look like for you? Not for your friends, family, or colleagues—you.
Is it having time for your family? Running a business that matters? Feeling fit and confident? Decide on your core purpose and write it down. When you know what you’re playing for, every decision makes more sense. Understanding your why helps you play to win what really matters.
Take the final Group G match of England v Belgium in the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia. Both teams had already qualified for the next round after winning their first two matches (against Tunisia and Panama). The group winner would play Japan in the Round of 16, then likely face Brazil in the quarter-finals. The runner-up would face Colombia, but land on what was seen as the easier half of the bracket (Sweden/Switzerland instead of Brazil/Belgium/France).
So, what happened? Both England and Belgium fielded heavily rotated sides — effectively “B-teams.” Belgium won 1–0 (Adnan Januzaj scored), meaning England finished second. As a result, England’s route was indeed easier. They beat Colombia and Sweden before losing to Croatia in the semi-final. Belgium, after topping the group, faced and beat Brazil, then lost to France in the semis.
England benefited from not winning the group, and both sides appeared to know it. It was seen as a strategic retreat rather than an outright loss, but the incentive was clear.
Playing well means understanding the rules and knowing how to bend them creatively when needed. Once you’re clear on your purpose, you stop running in circles and start moving towards something that actually counts.
Have a Game Plan
Every good team walks onto the pitch with a plan. No one just kicks the ball and hopes it’ll find the net. You need tactics, timing, and a sense of direction.
That’s where goal-setting comes in. Big ambitions are great, but it’s the smaller, well-timed moves that win the match. Instead of saying, “I’ll get fit,” say, “I’ll go for a brisk walk three times a week.” Instead of, “I’ll write a book,” say, “I’ll write for 20 minutes every morning.”
Break the big game into small plays. Each success builds momentum, and momentum builds confidence.
In Winning The Game, I talk about gamifying your goals—making progress enjoyable instead of punishing. Reward yourself when you hit a milestone. Recognise the wins, even the small ones. That’s how teams stay motivated: they celebrate the effort, not just the outcome.
Find Your Purpose—Your “Why”
Let’s dig deeper into purpose—it is the most important thing to get clear about. Every great captain knows why they play. Without purpose, effort feels empty. People don’t burn out because they’re too busy—they burn out because what they’re doing doesn’t matter to them anymore.
Ask yourself, “Why am I in this game?”
Perhaps your purpose is to help others, create something meaningful, or challenge yourself. Whatever it is, keep it front and centre. When your purpose is clear, even the toughest match feels worthwhile.
Your goals, your plans and actions all need to be aligned with your purpose. That way, when setbacks happen—and they will—it’s your “why” that gets you back on your feet. Purpose gives pain context. It turns struggle into training.
Expect the Odd Foul and Keep Playing
In any match worth playing, there’ll be knocks, mistakes, and the occasional unfair call. Life’s no different. The question isn’t whether you’ll face challenges—it’s how you’ll respond to them.
Do you give up when things go wrong, or do you keep your head up and adjust your strategy?
When something fails, ask, “What can I learn from this?” Losing a deal, missing a deadline, or dropping the ball doesn’t make you a failure. It makes you human. Every missed shot gives you feedback for the next one.
The best players don’t dwell on the mistake—they learn, adjust, and move on. That’s how you build resilience: not by avoiding failure, but by treating it as part of the training.
Use Time Like a Seasoned Coach
Time is your most valuable resource—it’s your match clock. Once it’s gone, you don’t get a replay. So, make your minutes count.
Plan your days like a training schedule. Some time for practice, some for rest, and some for play. Don’t try to cram everything into one endless sprint—you’ll tire out before half-time.
Focus on what matters most. Ask, “Does this move me closer to my goal?” If not, drop it. And remember, rest isn’t laziness—it’s strategy. Even top athletes build rest days into their routines to recover and refocus.
Treat your energy like stamina in a long match. Manage it wisely, and you’ll still be performing at your best when others have run out of steam.
Celebrate the Small Wins
Too many people wait until the final whistle to celebrate. They grind through every day, thinking they’ll feel happy once they hit a big milestone. That’s like waiting for the championship before you enjoy the game.
Winning isn’t just about the result—it’s about how you play. Every good coach knows morale drives performance. So, keep it high.
Finished a tough project? Take a moment to acknowledge it. Stuck with your workout plan for a week? Celebrate it. Survived a difficult meeting without losing your cool? That’s a win.
When you make celebration part of your routine, you teach your brain that progress feels good. The more you enjoy the journey, the easier it is to keep going. In Winning The Game, I call this creating joy in motion—the art of finding satisfaction while you’re still moving forward.
Lead Yourself Before You Lead Others
A great captain doesn’t just direct others—they lead by example. You can’t expect anyone to follow your lead if your own game is in chaos.
Leading yourself means keeping your word, staying accountable, and managing your emotions when things don’t go your way. If you say you’ll do something—do it. If you mess up, own it. People respect consistency far more than perfection.
When you’re steady, people notice. They trust you. They start to play better because of you. Leadership doesn’t come from shouting orders; it comes from showing what commitment looks like.
Before you lead others, make sure you’re showing up for yourself.
Enjoy the Game
Playing to win doesn’t mean you have to be serious all the time. Some of the best players are the ones who laugh the most. They know how to compete hard and have fun doing it.
Find joy in the challenge. Learn to laugh at the chaos. Play with enthusiasm, even when the score isn’t in your favour. The moment you stop enjoying the game, you start losing it.
When life feels heavy, remember: this is your match, your rules, your pace. You don’t need to win every point—you just need to keep playing with purpose.
Your Turn
So, how’s your game plan looking? Are you clear on your goals? Do you know your “why”? Are you enjoying the match, or just trying to get through it?
Winning doesn’t come from luck—it comes from clarity, practice, and joy.
That’s the heart of Winning The Game: learning to play with strategy, purpose, and a sense of fun. Whether you’re building a career, nurturing a family, or trying to be a better version of yourself, you can play smarter, stay motivated, and keep your head in the game.
You already have what it takes. You just need a plan that makes the journey as rewarding as the result.
So stop drifting through the game of life. Step up, take the shot, and play to win. The whistle hasn’t blown yet—and there’s still everything to play for.