Comments on: You are what you believe

By: Corin

Corin — Fri, 23 Jul 2010 16:19:04 +0000

I use to think what’s the point. Everyone is chasing their various rewards and I didn’t want to be part of that. I would only play the “I don’t want to die” game which meant getting a job, food and rent. However, I realized how unsatisfying doing well at only that one game became. It’s the games that make life interesting. So after that, I started the “I want to have good friends” game. That one just took years and years.

By: Lilly

Lilly — Fri, 23 Jul 2010 05:53:36 +0000

I think in observing the world a lot, I sometimes end up focusing on the perceived insignificance of the game, which can in effect overwhelm my desire for the rewards. But those desires nevertheless present themselves time and again. I might as well expect it, and not allow myself to get so detached to the point of no longer feeling a need to act.

Thanks. This blog has helped me see the virtue of “games” more sharply (and I’m sure you know how important virtue is to an infp).

By: ockhamdesign

ockhamdesign — Tue, 04 May 2010 08:31:57 +0000

I find that clarity about your rewards requires that I be absolutely honest with myself. That’s hard to do. There’s a quote by Thomas Carlyle that I love. “A person usually has two reasons for doing something: a good reason and the real reason.”

Getting myself to admit the real reason why I do something is tough. I admire coaches who can help other people to find that honesty in themselves.

By: Ije

Ije — Tue, 04 May 2010 07:51:27 +0000

Another great post! This one made me laugh too:-)

As a coach, one of the things I do with my clients is have them clarify the rewards they want and the games they can create to get them. i love how you laid it out!

By: ockhamdesign

ockhamdesign — Sun, 07 Feb 2010 12:26:49 +0000

I don’t believe in the idea of levels and backdoors. There are just Rules and Rewards. The “Get Paid Lots of Money” Game has a few basic rules.

1. Be useful. If you can’t be of service to anyone but yourself, then who’s going to give you money. The more useful you are, the more money someone will give you.

2. Learn to sell. Even if you are useful. Someone has to give you money. And they’re not just going to give to you. You have to convince them to give it you.

Those two rules pretty much explains someone who spends 15 years getting their medical degree. It also explains Zuckerberg dropping out of Harvard and making money with Facebook instead.

By: Zkairos

Zkairos — Sun, 07 Feb 2010 10:40:06 +0000

hmm.. my idea of levels sort of ties in with the idea of rewards. To reach certain rewards you must first pass by certain blocked levels.

For example if you want to reach the reward of “being financially satisfied” you might choose to pursue the “having a high-paying proffessional job” game which would require completing the “college degree level” and the aquiring of “networking and kissing up to your supervisors” skills as well as passing checkpoints of “experience”. By choosing to play that game you must adhere to following a specific order of levels unless you know a back-door…

By: ockhamdesign

ockhamdesign — Sun, 07 Feb 2010 03:26:25 +0000

I know. Playing the Games for the Rewards can get tedious and sometimes, it’s downright annoying. I understand the ones who don’t want to play. As long as the ones who don’t play understand that by not playing, they don’t get the Rewards and shouldn’t complain about not getting the Rewards.

By: Monique S.

Monique S. — Sun, 07 Feb 2010 01:48:55 +0000

And you made me laugh.

By: Monique S.

Monique S. — Sun, 07 Feb 2010 01:48:11 +0000

[The "Eat or Die" game is annoying...I wouldn't mind being green]
Can’t tell you how I find it difficult to explain to people that I really love myself and I’m not trying to die, I just don’t feel like doing the things I need to do (i.e. Playing the game) to get the food. Aha moment.

By: Jeanine

Jeanine — Fri, 05 Feb 2010 06:00:18 +0000

I am actively playing 2 of the games you mentioned: “make sure my family knows I love them” and “be the best me 100% of the time (or as often as I can).”