“There are at least two kinds of games,” states James P. Carse as he begins this extraordinary book. “One could be called finite; the other infinite.”
He’s talking about life, business, and relationships.
Some people are in them to win (finite) and some people are in them to keep playing (infinite).
The infinite game players want to see everyone do well, they want all players to win because then everyone stays in the game and it can continue on forever.
I am an infinite game player. But when I come up against someone who isn’t, it’s very painful.
Finite players are in it to win. They want to dominate, they will stomp all over you to make sure they win, and they will get great pleasure out of it.
They see the world differently. They don’t see it as personal. They see it as a game they want to win.
Over and over again I am reminded to accept people for who they are and where they are at in their journey.
Everyone is doing the best they can, remembering that helps keep the pain and frustration at bay.