What I find is that many entrepreneurs struggle with playing their own game.
They see other entrepreneurs doing things a certain way, and want to be like
them. They observe what they think is highly professional, or engaging, or
even something that might be selling really well and they copy it. Suddenly,
they are playing someone else’s game. And in order to really win, you have
to play your game.
When I was a child, I remember my father teaching me to play chess. When
he’d beat me he’d often say “You were playing my game. In order to be a
winner you need to play your game.” What’s funny is over the years I have
said the same thing to my nephews when playing very simple games.
Too often I watch coaches and leaders of industries teach people how to be
like them. Then they wonder why they struggle and fail in the long run.
Systems and processes are important, yet you still need to be you while you
run those systems and processes.
I get it. Imitation is the highest form of flattery. Initially, and while
you’re still discovering the best of who you are, you may imitate someone
else. In the long run though, you have to discover who you truly are. That
is how, as an entrepreneur, you play your game and succeed.
