Chapter 14: Play to Win
Life is a game. We are all players, and the only way to win is to play to win. But what does that mean? It means being mindful of our actions and not reacting out of anger or jealousy. It means wishing others well and striving to be our best selves. It means being in harmony with ourselves and embracing the journey that life has in store for us.
What is Playing to Win?
For athletes, playing to win means being focused and determined to achieve the desired outcome. It requires complete dedication to the game and a refusal to give up. In order to play to win, athletes must be in control of their own thoughts and emotions, as well as their physical movements. The ability to control one's thoughts and emotions is what separates good athletes from great ones.
Great athletes are able to block out distractions and keep their minds focused on the task at hand. They refuse to let their emotions get the best of them, and they always maintain a level head. Similarly, great athletes are also in complete control of their bodies. They execute each movement with precision, and they have total confidence in their abilities. Playing to win requires that athletes be in complete control of themselves, both mentally and physically. Those who can achieve this state of mind and body are the ones who find success on the playing field.
In life, playing to win means setting and achieving goals. It means taking action instead of reacting to circumstances. And it means always striving to be your best self. When you play to win in life, you are one with yourself. You are focused and dedicated to achieving your goals. And you refuse to let anything or anyone stand in your way. You know that the only person you need to beat is yourself. And so, you strive each and every day to become a better version of yourself.
You challenge yourself to push harder, to go further, and never settle for anything less than your absolute best. Because when you play to win in life, that's exactly what it takes. There are no shortcuts. There are no easy paths. There is only hard work, determination, and never-ending dedication to becoming the best that you can be. So, if you want to win in life, start by setting some goals. Then put in the work required to achieve them. And finally, never give up on yourself. Because when you do, that's when you truly start playing to win.
So, what does it mean to play to win? It means that you are the one in control of your life. You decide what you want to achieve, and then you go out and make it happen. It means being focused and dedicated to your goals and never letting anything stand in your way. It means always striving to be your best self and never settling for anything less. So, if you want to win in life, start by playing to win. Be the game, and never let anyone
I used to think that in order to win in life, you had to be the best at everything you did. I used to think that if I wasn't first, then I was a failure. But I've since learned that this isn't true. In fact, I've learned that trying to be the best at everything is a surefire way to guarantee that you'll never achieve anything. Because the truth is, there will always be someone who is better than you. There will always be someone who is faster, stronger, smarter, or more talented. And that's okay.
What's important is that you don't let those people stop you from trying to be the best that you can be. Just because someone else may be better than you doesn't mean that you can't still be great. So don't strive to be the best; strive to be a little bit better. Strive to be your best self. And when you do that, you'll find that life is much more rewarding.
Focus on Your Healthy Mindset When you're trying to improve your life and achieve success, it's important to focus on your mindset. Your mindset is the key to everything. It's the difference between achieving your goals and never even getting started. If you want to win in life, you need to have a healthy mindset. You need to be positive and believe in yourself. You need to be willing to work hard and never give up. And most importantly, you need to be mindful of the messages you're sending yourself. Your mindset is the key to everything. It's the difference between achieving your goals and never even getting started. A positive mindset is essential for success in any endeavor, whether it's losing weight, starting a business, or simply getting out of bed in the morning. Without a positive mindset, it's all too easy to talk yourself out of taking action or giving up when things get tough. But with a positive mindset, anything is possible. This workbook has guided you through the process of putting together all of the pieces you need to play the game. But it's up to you to take action and make it happen. It's time to start believing in yourself and making things happen. So, get out there and start playing to win!
Acknowledgments
Bob Langley is a former hockey player and corporate trainer who took me in at 16 years old when I moved to Toronto. My first day on the ice, I made the team, and he went to the coach and said he was going to take me under his wing. I moved in with his family. He was like a big brother to me and helped me daily in all areas of my life. To this day, I still go to Bob for advice in my life and business as he has a Ph.D. in life. After 39 years, we still talk weekly. He was at my first game in Maple Leaf Gardens when I played the Toronto Maple Leafs, and he’s been there for me ever since. I don’t think I would’ve made it to the next level if I hadn’t taken the route that I did and had Bob to help me along the way. Marty Quarters and I have known each other since we were seven years old. He is from my hometown of Oak Park, Michigan. Marty was always there for me as a good friend and would help me on the ice by doing drills and making sure I was ready for training camp. He also traveled to many stadiums to see me on the road. It was always great to have a friend there to share stories with. There’s no doubt he was one of my biggest supporters, and he was always direct with me whether I played a good game or a bad game. I also want to thank the people who have supported me throughout my life. First and foremost, I want to thank my mother and father, Cheri and John Hartman. They have always been my biggest fans, and I know that I can always count on them for love and support. I also want to thank my brother and sister Michele Coblin and Ricky Hartman and my uncle Sherman Laxer. He has been a great role model for me, and I am grateful for all the advice and wisdom he has shared with me over the years. Finally, I want to thank my daughter Gabrielle and son Chase. They are my pride and joy, and I am so grateful to have them in my life. Words cannot express how thankful I am for all the love and support of these special people in my life. I would like to say a special thank you to Lindsey Chastain of The Writing Detective (writingdetective.com) for her guidance and assistance in writing this book.
About the Author
Mike Hartman is an American former professional ice hockey player who played 17 years of professional hockey and was a member of the New York Rangers Stanley Cup winning team. He played in 397 games in the National Hockey League (NHL) for the Buffalo Sabres, Winnipeg Jets, Tampa Bay Lightning, and New York Rangers and played for his country Team USA & the minor leagues. He was drafted in the seventh round, 131st overall, by the Sabres in the 1986 NHL Entry Draft. In 1995 he was inducted into the Michigan Jewish Sports Hall of Fame and in was inducted into the National Jewish Sports Hall of Fame and Museum. Throughout his career as a professional hockey player, he benefited from having great coaches and mentors. Combined with his strong drive to improve his game no matter what it took, those coaches and mentors were able to make him a better hockey player and a better man. Once he retired from hockey, he started looking around for a fulfilling career to take the place of professional sports. He realized he had a real obligation to pay forward the incredible guidance he received when he was growing up and during his career. He established the Hartman.Academy to work with athletes, workplace athletes, coaches and anyone who wants to get better at what they do.
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