The journey is the reward

We play games every day.

A few weeks ago, Simon Sinek introduced me to James Carse’s book, Finite and Infinite Games. Carse breaks our games into two types: finite and infinite. 

A finite game is a game with known players. In a finite game, all players agree to fixed rules before play begins. These rules define the winner. Think basketball games, tennis matches, and capture the flag. Finite games end when a player or team has won. Thus, the goal of a finite game is to win.

An infinite game is a game with known and unknown players. In an infinite game, players do not agree on rules. The rules are variable and there is no definite winner. Think life, marriage, and vacation. Infinite games end when all players choose to stop playing. Thus, the goal of an infinite game is to stay in the game as long as you can.

Armed with this new language, I now see infinite games all around me. Most of us (myself included) are trying to win these unwinnable games.  

While we cannot win an infinite game, we can enjoy playing it.

An infinite game is a journey. 

And the journey is the reward.