You Need to Be An Infinite Player

Infinite players change, pivot, and adjust more successfully than finite players. 

You need to be an infinite player.

Let’s get the definitions straight – What is an infinite player? - An infinite player’s outlook is towards value creation and contributions that span generations.  Infinite players don’t view the game as life-ending but just evolving and improving.  Life provides them with the ability and opportunity to provide lasting value. – a long-term view, that by definition, you embrace change, evolving and such that the “game lives on” beyond you and there is not an end game win.  They typically embrace just causes and think broadly.  The goal of the infinite player is to evolve, grow, stay in the game, innovate. 

 Contrast that with the finite thinker.  They are more of a short-term winner vs. losers, see the end of the game as either winning or losing. An example of a good sport would be American Football.   There is a specific time for the game, and at the end, the higher score wins. Game over.

 Life isn’t like that.

 Change is inevitable and needed to survive and contribute.  Having an infinite mindset is critical.  Being an infinite player with a long-term view towards value creation and contribution allows you to:

•  Change quickly as you don’t have to wait for the perfect moment.  If timing is off, the short-term implications are minimized over time.

• Not be concerned with perfection. You’re not paralyzed by waiting for the perfect time.  You can take action because you know any short-term bumps don’t matter in the long term.  You can take action.  Ship the minimum viable product and iterate from there.  You have a vision of what you want to contribute, which is just a point on that continuum.

• Focus on easy, small wins.  As Jeff Walker says, you can focus on “Getting to the First Dollar”.  You can take the focused steps need to prove your concept and ultimate value to the customer.

• You can address issues as they come up, and you feel like you are in control of what is transpiring.  You don’t let things happen because of fate; you take action.  You improve. Don’t assume anything; take action.

• Have greater control over your actions than your results.  You focus on what you can control and not on the score or outcome.

• Be a process and systems thinker.  You work a process rather than jumping around trying to get quick results.  You take advantage of systems thinking because a successful system creates insight and new ideas.  As Jim Afremow in The Champion’s Mind put it, “Always focus on the process and execution rather than worrying about the desired, or worse, the feared result, whether you are staring down a putt on the 18th green to win a tournament or to break 80 for the first time.”

• Ask great questions like James Clear proposed “If you keep living the way you are, what will your life look like in 20 years?”

• Be decisive.  Sometimes you need patience other times; you need to take action. You’ll know when.

• Understand the value of small changes because you are in it for the long haul. You know the importance of small incremental change and have the vision and time to see the returns.  Remember saving 10 minutes a day = 1 week of effort and time within a year.  Small changes add up.

• Take a more measured approach to change.  You have time to go through the 5 steps Hugh Culver outlines as key to successful change in your life:

  • Become crystal clear about the challenge,

  • Determine the best possible solution,

  • Adopt a belief that you will succeed,

  • Take action and pay attention to evidence of your success, and

  • Repeat.

• Take advantage of valuable feedback loops. Feedback loops are vital components to drive and inform change.  You take advantage of more feedback loops.  Better information can lead to better and more meaningful change.  Feedback is the key to change and to learn.

• Be motivated by sustained impact.  Your answer to a higher calling. You don’t need a massive, quick change to remain motivated.  The key is sustained change, not quick change for a dopamine hit. The old 1% change adage.

• Take advantage of the momentum from minor changes.  They become habitual and routine.  Change to improve.

Be an infinite player and embrace change and improvement.  Your focus on the long-term allows you to ride out short-term bumps and deviations.  It is easier to put these changes in perspective. You will be able to change, adjustment and to pivot easier.  You can do it.  This will lead to less mental and physical stress in your life. 

 Have a more meaningful life by moving towards infinite thinking.