In the introduction to his groundbreaking best seller, The Inner GameŽ of Tennis, friend and
author Tim Gallwey wrote:
Every game is composed of two parts, an outer game and an Inner GameŽ. The outer game is played
against an external opponent to overcome external obstacles and to reach an external goal. Mastering
this game is the subject of many books offering instructions on how to swing a racket, club or bat,
and how to position arms, legs or torso to achieve the best results. But for some reason, most of us
find these instructions easier to remember than to execute.
Mr. Gallwey goes on to explain that real success in the playing of any game must include
attention to the skills of the Inner GameŽ...
...the game that takes place in the mind of the player.
He points to such internal obstacles as lack of concentration, nervousness and self-doubt as
"habits of mind" that must be overcome before excellence in performance and producing winning
results will be accomplished. He writes further:
The player of the Inner GameŽ comes to value the art of relaxed concentration above all other
skills; he discovers a true basis for self-confidence; and he learns that the secret of winning any
game lies in not trying too hard. He aims at the kind of spontaneous performance, which occurs only
when the mind is calm and seems at one with the body, which finds its own surprising ways to surpass
its own limits again and again. Moreover, while overcoming the common hang-ups of competition, the
player of the Inner GameŽ uncovers a will to win which unlocks all his energy and which is never
discouraged by losing.
Honestly, doesn't that sound wonderful? Wouldn't you enjoy being calm, at one with your body,
surpassing your limits again and again, and in the process uncovering a will to win that's never
discouraged by losing?
Seems like great (and perhaps even profitable) fun to me. And what if you could do that in the
game of life-what would that look like to you? What would that mean for you?
Life is a game.... just like any and every other game you've ever played.
There's a field of play, there are rules, gear and goals and required skills... all of which you
need in order to play. And when you arrive at a certain level of competence and confidence where you
consistently play the game well, you will win and you can keep on winning.
The skills and attitudes you need to succeed and be a winner in any game are
the very same ones you need to succeed in life itself.
You can learn what you need to know about "how" to do most things competently with a little
effort done consistently over time.
Let's say you wanted to learn a foreign language: Practicing one hour a day every day, how long
do you think it would be before you'd be able to speak the language quite well-I'm not saying like a
native, but well enough to get along in interesting and engaging conversations confidently and
comfortably?
Or how about playing a musical instrument: Practicing one hour a day every day, how long do you
think it would be before you'd be able to play quite well-again I'm not saying playing the guitar as
a virtuoso like Eric Clapton or the piano with the mastery of Vladimir Horowitz, but well enough to
perform a number of pretty complex pieces confidently and comfortably?
I've asked these questions to audiences all around the world and the answers are always the same.
In each case people say it would take about two years... at most.
So, if you can become competent and confident and most Outer Games in about
two years... what's the problem? Why don't more of us succeed more of the time?
The problem is that even if you have a handle on all the proven knowledge, resources, skills and
even the most closely guarded secrets... that alone won't make you a winner. You've got to become
competent and confident playing the Inner GameŽ first.
The Inner GameŽ is the one played in your mind. The one where you compete with yourself, where
you are challenged or empowered by your old paradigms-your past programming; the thinking that
either limits or liberates you; those beliefs that stop you or inspire you.
The Inner GameŽ is the game that must be mastered before you can succeed on
purpose, consistently, for the rest of your life.
The Inner GameŽ is simply, The Greatest Game in the World!
... and WINNING the Inner GameŽ is what life is all about.
Thanks.
I appreciate you!
