Play long-term games with long-term people
One of my favourite quotes, is from Naval Ravikant, one of my favourite thinkers:
‘Play long-term games with long-term people’.
The idea is that the biggest benefits accrue to those who stick around for a long time, because they gain deep knowledge of their industry/specialism, and build trust with others who are also there for the long term.
Here’s more about it: https://nav.al/long-term
I like it because it’s the opposite of the get rich quick scheme. It’s about the value of hard work, discipline and dedication. It relies on the willingness to show humility, learn from your mistakes and be resilient, riding out the tough times to enjoy the good.
Well today, I have a new meaning for the saying.
For the last year or so I’ve been speaking to my son about the sports he plays. He loves football, but he’s not a natural. Some of his peers are leagues ahead of him, with bio mechanics that favour the game and a passion that my son just doesn’t have.
I attend his matches, celebrate his wins and encourage him every step of the way, but try to keep his mind firmly set on the future: even if he’s the best in the world, he won’t be able to play football his whole life.
Whereas he can play a sport like golf, well into old age.
The last couple of school holidays he’s been on a golf camp, and is now taking weekly lessons to improve. At times it’s been a struggle to keep him engaged, but he’s finally enjoying it.
Today, I took him out for his first round, on a local ‘par-3’ course.
He played well and I was as proud as I was amazed. I haven’t actually seen him hit a shot for 6 months, and he’s come on really well.
But apart from enjoying this immense occasion, something else stood out for me. The group behind us was a man playing with his son and daughter. The man was in his 80s, the son and daughter in their 50s.
I told D that was why I’ve always wanted him to learn golf, so that we can play together throughout our lives. And not just us, but his mum and sister too.
It’s the perfect example of playing long-term games, with long-term people. Your family are your ultimate long-term people.
Today I got a glimpse of a fun future ahead of us, and it put a big smile on my face.