If you’ve ever found yourself coasting, you’re not alone. Most people spend more time adjusting to “good enough” than chasing “great.” It’s comfortable there. Predictable. Safe. But comfort zones are like padded cells—you don’t realise they’re traps until you try to leave.
So here’s the question: when was the last time you did something that genuinely scared you—in a good way?
I’m not talking about skydiving (unless that’s your thing). I mean, stretching yourself in ways that make your brain do that nervous dance between excitement and panic. That’s where growth hides. You don’t find confidence by repeating what you already know. You build it by leaning into what you don’t.
That’s the heart of Winning The Game. It’s about learning to play life on purpose—setting challenges that stretch you, push you, and reward you.
Small Steps, Big Shifts
Most people think personal growth is about big leaps—quitting your job, launching a business, moving across the world. That’s not true. Growth happens in smaller, consistent steps that push the edges of your comfort zone every day.
Think of it like fitness. You don’t become strong after one workout. You get stronger by turning up repeatedly, especially on the days you’d rather do anything else. The same principle applies to your goals. If you want to soar higher, you’ve got to show up and stretch your limits, one rep at a time.
Try this: pick one thing you’ve been avoiding because it feels awkward or uncomfortable. Maybe it’s speaking up in meetings. Maybe it’s starting that side project. Take the smallest possible action towards it today—just one. You’ll be amazed at how quickly fear shrinks once you act.
The Science of Challenge and Reward
There’s a reason games are addictive—they balance challenge and reward perfectly. Too easy and you get bored. Too hard, and you give up. Life works the same way. When you set goals that are just beyond your current ability, your brain releases dopamine each time you make progress. That’s nature’s built-in “keep going” system.
Sir Clive Woodward, the coach behind England’s 2003 Rugby World Cup win, mastered this balance. He made training tough, but he also made it enjoyable. Players weren’t just sweating—they were learning, laughing, and competing. The harder it got, the more united they became.
That’s what great leaders do. They make the process fun, not just the outcome. You can do the same with your own goals. Whether you’re leading a team or leading yourself, make progress feel like a game. Set levels. Celebrate wins. Keep score.
When Failure Becomes Your Teacher
The truth is, failure isn’t the enemy—it’s part of the curriculum. Every person who’s achieved something remarkable has a long list of “didn’t work” moments behind them.
I once poured everything into a business that eventually failed. Not just financially—it failed me emotionally. I chased success like a checklist, ticking boxes but forgetting to enjoy the game. When it all collapsed, I realised what was missing wasn’t skill or effort—it was joy.
When I started again, I built joy back in. I stopped waiting for life to be fun after success and made fun part of the process. Ironically, that’s when success came back—and this time, it stayed.
You can’t always control outcomes, but you can control how you play. And when you play with joy, everything changes.
Growth Is a Habit, Not a Hobby
Success isn’t built on motivation. Motivation gets you started. Habits keep you going. That’s why Winning The Game puts such a big emphasis on creating routines that work for you, not against you.
James Clear (author of Atomic Habits) says, “You do not rise to the level of your goals; you fall to the level of your systems.” He’s right. Want to soar higher? Build systems that make improvement automatic.
Maybe that means reading ten pages a day. Going for a walk instead of doom-scrolling. Writing down three wins every night. These things sound small, but they stack. Over time, they change how you think, feel, and perform.
And when you get off track—as everyone does—you don’t need to start over. You just need to get back in the game.
Leadership Starts with You
Leadership isn’t about managing others—it’s about managing yourself. The best leaders aren’t those barking orders from the front; they’re the ones lifting people up from within the group.
Look at Jacinda Ardern. When New Zealand faced tragedy, she led with empathy and calm strength. She didn’t posture; she connected. People followed her because they trusted her, not because they had to.
That’s real leadership—and it starts with you. When you communicate with clarity, keep your promises, and stay true to your values, people respond. Whether it’s your family, your team, or your circle of friends, leadership is influence. Influence is earned through consistency, not title.
Challenge Yourself to Enjoy It
Here’s the part most people forget: success without enjoyment is failure in disguise. You can hit every target and still feel empty if you’ve squeezed the fun out of the journey.
Sir Clive Woodward’s team didn’t win just because they trained hard—they won because they enjoyed the process. They laughed. They bonded. They celebrated the grind. When work becomes play, performance skyrockets.
So, how do you make your own journey enjoyable?
- Find community. Join others who share your goals.
- Turn goals into games. Track progress, celebrate wins, learn from losses.
- Reward effort, not just outcomes.
When life feels playful, you work harder without even noticing.
The Game Is Yours
You already have what you need to start playing at a higher level. Purpose gives you direction. Goals give you structure. Habits keep you moving. And joy keeps you alive through it all.
The question isn’t if you can soar higher—it’s whether you’ll choose to.
If you’re ready to stop coasting and start playing to win, Winning The Game is your next move. It’s not another “think positive” book—it’s a practical playbook built around real stories, real systems, and a healthy dose of humour. It shows you how to design your life like a game you actually want to play—and win.
So, ask yourself: are you ready to stop settling for “good enough”? Because the view from higher up is worth it.
Now, take that first step. Lace up. Level up.
Game on.