First off, this is not really a design related post, but a post we can all relate to….Between my design assistant basically telling me I’m constantly on my game, Tiger Woods winning the Masters today, and everyone obsessing over Game of Thrones return this evening, the word GAME has me thinking. Now, I can say that I am definitely a person that hates playing games with people. I much prefer to be real as much as humanly possible. Sometimes it gets me in trouble, but I rather be authentic and true to myself and those around me. That being said, no matter how bad you do not want it to be, life is a little bit of a game. We must navigate it with caution at times and make decisions that are strategic for things that we want out of life and put ourselves in positions to lead us to our happy place. That kind of game playing is ok in my book because it is more like a roadmap to achieve a set of goals and do what is needed to achieve them.
I am sure everyone remembers the game Candy Land from their childhood. I feel like we can relate our lives to this game in the most simplistic way. Just like in Candy Land, you can be moving ahead at a great pace, ahead of everyone….and winning. Sometimes you land on the same space as one of your friends, like moments in life where you need someone to lean on, who gets where you are at in life and can relate to you. And then there are times when BAM, you draw a card that sends you back to a place where you did not want to go. Unfortunately, in real life this happens to all of us. Setbacks are real, obstacles are real, challenges are presented often. I know I am grateful for many blessings that I have had in my life and currently have, but I have definitely (like all) have had my fair share of these challenging moments. I truly believe it is within the way we handle these challenging moments that define us and our true character.
Do you ever think about those defining moments in life? How you handle them, how long you let them get you down. What brings upon the moment that is the game changer for you in daunting moments? Those moments can be amazing if you allow them to be! Many times, the rise is much more powerful than the fall. Look how many people are so happy for Tiger today….having risen again from not the best of times. For each of us how we deal with challenges is different, but whatever you do, don’t let life get you down too much. Me personally, I get upset about things and then I say GAME ON to make me want to be even better than I was before whatever setback came my way. I find it to be empowering.
Always do your best to press forward, do things that make you happy, strive to kick ass in your life and your career and be the best version of yourself that you can possibly be. You must put your game face on and look at the world around you and say bring it, I got this! You will likely be amazed at what you can achieve!