Well played

The default plan for most people to get better prizes seems to be playing harder.

Put in more hours. Get more training. Kiss up to the boss more.

Those can lead to better outcomes in your game. Or, you could switch games and play a better game.

 Not all games are equally rewarding. Some pay better. Some are much more satisfying.

Obvious example: you can win the career game and lose the family game. At the end of our life, it will be the family game you want to win. Those "prizes" are the best ones.

 Less obvious example: you may be in a job that doesn't fit your best skill set. I have two close friends I have talked to in the last few months who realize that while they are able to do their job well, neither are able to use their best skills at work.

 One leads a team that manages large amounts of money across multiple institutions. He's smart with numbers, but his best skill set (and greatest joy) is engaging with people (he's exceptionally good there).

The other leads teams that oversee IT/development for a huge company. He's smart at understanding the systems, but what he loves most (and is brilliant at) is strategic planning and foresight at a grand scale, not getting into the weeds.

Both work at huge companies, have leadership positions and get paid well. Both are playing the wrong game.

If they are that successful playing a game that doesn't match their wiring, how much more could they win if they played a game that let them run at full speed?

And how much more would they enjoy their life?

When have you played the wrong game? How did you know? How did you change the game you played?