BY: A A RO N A L E JA N D RO T E X A S F FA F O U N DAT I O N E X E C U T I V E D I R E C T O R
THE GAME OF LIFE … IT IS NOT A SOLO PROJECT The game of life can be one of the most exciting competitions we will ever know. We all play a role. We have a chance to help write the history of the game, our teammates, accomplishments, set-backs, and moments of incredible inspiration. Much like a replay, we can assess successful plays and duplicate them for future success. Here is a glimpse at the game we have been given and the chance to play a legendary role. The game of life starts with an inhale and ends with an exhale, simply a breath. A friend of mine said life can be broken into four quarters. First Quarter (Age 0 – 25) is figuring it out; position, strengths, passion, and tempo. We are full of energy and all the “want to” in the world, but we can use some outside help to ensure our success. Second Quarter (Age 26 – 50) we are fully engaged and learning the depth, scope, and who is going to be recruited, drafted, or acquired for future team success. We can become more comfortable in a position but must refuse to
become complacent and be playing the game of life, running replaced by another player. our chapters, organizations, and businesses with more intent, Third Quarter (Age 51 strategy, and expectation than a – 75) we have a better pick-up game of kickball. understanding of our physical limitations, we The game of life also includes know the importance of time individuals who take on outs, and playing smarter important roles that help craft not harder. the game and, possibly, its result of win or loss. The roles Fourth Quarter (Age 76 – of some of these individuals will 100) we embrace the reality never change. At times, we may of legacy by reflecting on seek outside expertise to ensure the previous three quarters, we are training and executing we look toward the end of best practices, a strategy of this game and begin being effective leaders. If we are not inspired by the players winning or are just running the recruited, developed, and clock down, maybe it is time motivated to play on in a to change coaches, plays, and game which never ends. strategies to bring successful components to our game. We Our game must have an need cheerleaders, coaches, identifiable field where we and trainers as we play the can see progress made. We game of life to ensure a thriving need markers, sidelines, out of community. bounds, goal posts, and ways to know we have advanced the Cheerleaders – no one may ball. Could you imagine playing ever replace our biggest a football game with no yard cheerleaders, moms and markers, rules for first down, sidelines, boundaries, or goal “OUR GAME lines? We need the same in life. What are our targets, goals, MUST HAVE AN benchmarks, and timelines? IDENTIFIABLE FIELD Are we running our chapters, businesses, and organizations WHERE WE CAN SEE with a plan to get a first down, PROGRESS MADE." score, or win? Surely, we are 38
