Play a Bigger Game

The game of life is much less about winning as it is finishing. My dad always said to me, "Finish well son, finish well."

It's not how you start, it's how you finish.

I've heard numerous stories of the marathon runner who came in dead last but received more applause than the one who finished first. Why is this?

Because they were playing a bigger game. They weren't winning, they were finishing. Finishing is more admirable. Finishing shows more pig-headed determination, more guts, more heart.

We see a finisher and we say "Wow!"

We see a winner and we say "Congratulations."

I'd rather be a finisher than a winner. I'd rather play a bigger game that demanded everything from me than settle for winning a game that is easily won.

This is why I do what I do. It demands something from me.

It demands that I keep finishing.

Don't worry about winning, finish strong.

Finish strong.

(And thanks dad for the advice, it brings tears to my eyes just thinking about it.)