"It's the game of life. Do I win or do I lose? One day they're gonna shut the game down. I gotta have as much fun and go around the board as many times as I can before it's my turn to leave"

Life is often likened to a game, and that’s what this quote is really getting at—it’s about how you play the game, not just whether you win or lose. Life isn’t just about the end result; it’s about enjoying the journey, making the most of the experiences, and having as much fun as possible before your time is up.

Imagine this: you’re playing a board game with your friends. The goal is to win, sure, but the real fun comes from the laughs, the unexpected twists, and all the little moments in between. It’s the same with life. You navigate through different stages—childhood, education, career, and so on—encountering various challenges and triumphs. But if you’re only focused on the endgame, you’re missing out on the richness of the experience.

Take, for example, the story of Steve Jobs. Here's a guy who was incredibly driven and focused on success. He faced numerous setbacks—getting fired from the company he founded, dealing with health issues—but he always found a way to enjoy the process. He once said something along the lines of, if you look closely, most overnight successes took a long time. Jobs was passionate about the journey, the creation, the innovation. Despite the ups and downs, he kept going around the board, having as much fun as he could, creating revolutionary products and companies.

So, how can you apply this to your own life? Start by shifting your mindset. Instead of always chasing the next big win, take a moment to appreciate where you are now. Celebrate small victories. When you’re working on a project, don’t just aim for the finish line—enjoy the brainstorming sessions, the late-night problem-solving, the camaraderie with your team. It’s these moments that add texture and joy to your life.

Imagine you’re a student. You’re stressing out about final exams, worried about your GPA, thinking about how it’ll all affect your future career. But remember those late-night study sessions with friends, the “aha” moments when a difficult concept finally clicks, the sense of accomplishment when you finish a tough assignment. Those are the moments that make your educational journey worthwhile. If you’re too focused on the grades, you might miss out on the fun and the learning that happens along the way.

Or picture yourself at work, aiming for a promotion. It’s easy to get caught up in the competition, to focus only on the goal. But what about the friendships you’re forming, the skills you’re acquiring, the satisfaction of solving a tough problem? Don’t let the pursuit of the big win overshadow these experiences.

The takeaway here is simple: life’s too short to be all about the end goals. Yes, have ambitions—aim high, dream big. But don’t forget to have fun, to embrace the journey, to go around the board and soak in every moment. Because one day, the game will end. And when it does, you’ll want to look back not just at what you achieved, but at how much you enjoyed the ride.