We had a power dinner.
In New York this week with an old friend I haven’t seen for a long time.
Was one of those nights that brought together a lot of our past and got us talking about the future.
In the last decade he’s built an incredible business growing just a seed into a forest of opportunity.
They’re winning the game and he loves playing.
Keep playing
It feels good to be in the game, doesn’t it?
Do you feel this way about what you’re doing?
He had taken time off to figure out his next move and had joined this incredible company they’ve grown remarkably.
We got talking about the movie Inception and how it perfectly captures even a tiniest seed can grow into transformation.
This got us talking about my game.
Playing again
You know there are people in the world who see you in ways you don’t really see yourself?
They see things and reflect back to you like a mirror, don’t they?
When you’re with these people what do they see in you?
What are some things it helps you see?
He likes I’m playing publicly again.
Playing private
In recent years it was best for me to stay private.
Instead of playing publicly, I played privately with clients, kept perfecting the craft, and only a few months ago turned public facing again.
There’s lots of seasons behind me and I don’t know how we’ll keep playing it.
It’s been fun for me to spin it up again and I’m enjoying playing.
He wants me to play more offensively.
Playing defense
A friend sees I was pulling punches.
After putting myself in the sin bin for writing the book on Trump’s winning I started playing more defensively.
She saw it like I went from seeing opportunity everywhere to playing defense.
Like I saw threats instead of being the threat.
That’s no winning game.
Play offensively
There’s a sign on my wall that says “Keep playing on offense.”
It’s a reminder from my brother who is expert on sports and winning and it’s one thing he’s drilled into me over and over again.
This is what you see in all sports, isn’t it? Like Tyson or Federer dominating their craft.
It’s like self-defense.
Play on offense to win.
Avoid offending
I’ve avoided offending.
It’s a good rule because why offend people if you can avoid it?
But this can also mean holding yourself back from saying things that might offend people when these things oughta be said.
If you’re saying anything publicly someone you’re sure to offend!
And it matters more to stop offending yourself.
Being offensive
It’s offensive to yourself holding back who you are in the world.
You’re also offending your ancestors and those who support you when you fail to play on offense and go after it with all your potential.
Other than New York City nothing nor speech is free and you must be willing to pay the price.
You’ve already paid the entry fee to be in the game and you score more on offense.
Like he said at dinner, “I’d love to see you full weapons mode.”
Playing on offense
Not certain what this means for me, yet.
But I do know to keep iterating. What might it mean for you?
Are there places you’ve been holding back where you should be playing more offense?
Maybe other places you’re already on offense and benefit from playing more offensively?
That’s what I got from our power dinner to keep playing on offense.