Champion’s Playbook: Play your own game—do what you do best. Make your own rules—from experience. Quit when you’re ahead—walk away a champion!
Champion’s Playbook: The Art of Winning on Your Terms
Some people play to win. Others play not to lose. But the real champions? Oh, they’re out there playing their own game. Success isn’t about photocopying someone else’s playbook—it’s about scribbling your own in the margins, accidentally smudging it with a leaky pen (because of course), and making it uniquely yours.
Let’s break this down, step by step, because winning isn’t just about skill. It’s about strategy, heart, and maybe a little bit of swagger.
1. Play Your Own Game—Do What You Do Best
Ever seen a basketball player try to tackle like a football star? Spoiler alert: it’s not pretty. (Looking at you, Michael Jordan and your baseball detour. Love you, MJ, but the basketball court missed you.)
Here’s the deal: greatness comes from knowing what you do best and doubling down on it. Your strengths? They’re your superpower. So, stop worrying about what the competition is doing and start playing the game only you can win. Bada bing, bada boom—you’re already ahead.
2. Make Your Own Rules—From Experience
Rules are great—until they’re not. The best leaders and innovators aren’t rule-followers; they’re rule-makers. And the best rules? They’re forged from experience, not borrowed from some dusty old manual.
Take Steve Jobs. Did he follow the “tech CEO” handbook? Nope. He rewrote it, tossed it out the window, and then probably designed a sleeker, more minimalist version. He learned, adapted, and shaped Apple’s success on his own terms. The lesson? Experience is your best teacher. Take notes, break the rules that don’t serve you, and create a game plan that actually works.
3. Quit When You’re Ahead—Walk Away a Champion
Okay, this one’s tricky. We’re always told, “Never quit!” But let’s be real—smart quitting? That’s a power move.
Think about an athlete who retires at the top of their game versus one who stays too long and becomes a cautionary tale. (We’ve all seen it happen.) The same applies in business, leadership, and life. Sometimes, the best move isn’t pushing harder—it’s knowing when to pivot, step back, or exit on a high note.
Final Takeaway: Own Your Game
Champions don’t win by following the crowd. They win by mastering their own moves, learning from experience, and knowing when to step back. So, what’s your game plan? What’s one rule you’ve rewritten in your own playbook?
✍️Note to Self: Winning isn’t about being perfect. It’s about being you—flaws, quirks, and all!
Share your thoughts in the comments—I’d love to hear how you’ve played the game your way. And remember, as my buddy Roy from Beanfields Chips would say, “You gotta share the love!”
