I am reading the book Play to Win – Choosing Growth Over Fear in Work and Life by Larry Wilson and Hersch Wilson. It encourages contemplation of the big questions: What is your life about? How are you making the world a better place? What will your legacy be? In our busy lives we often don’t take the time to contemplate what we truly want out of life. Often people arrive at death without adventure in life, feeling unfulfilled, lost and wondering what could have been. This book is about learning to live with meaning, passion, and purpose while having fun!

Is your life an adventure? “Adventure defined: A difficult endeavor in which the outcome is unknown, but the possibility of great reward exists.” “Most people would rather die than think: many do” – Bertrand Russell. Have you thought about your life’s meaning and taken action? Are you just surviving or are you thriving?

“Security is mostly a superstition. It does not exist in nature. Avoiding danger is no safer in the long run than outright exposure. Life is either a daring adventure or nothing.“ – Helen Keller

One of the first steps it describes to getting the life you want is growing up emotionally. I often speak of the importance of Emotional Intelligence. Being emotionally mature allows us to solve the problems that cause pain, dysfunction and frustration. Emotional immaturity can cause intrapersonal problems that result in a lack of clarity. The book defines emotional maturity as having access to and control over the emotional energies required to respond optimally to life’s events.

Often we play life’s game not to lose. We avoid situations where we might lose, fail be emotionally hurt or be rejected. It’s about avoiding fear. Playing to win is about engaging with life, with the desire to thrive on the adventure. It’s a conscious choice. Choosing requires us to know what we want, to understand how we want to live our lives.

Are you doing what you want to do? Do you know what you want? Are you choosing comfort over growth? If you are not happy with your answers maybe this is a book for you.