Enjoy the Game of Survival

What game do you want to play as a creative?

That might seem like an odd question, but the reality is that life itself is a game with rules and boundaries.

But no one can tell you when you’ve won. No one can make a scorecard for you. You’ve got to tailor it to your passions and desires.

There are different paths leading to different destinations. There, too, choice must be exercised.

The Game of Survival

Creativity is like a game of survival. And that’s what makes it fun.

Creativity is like a game of survival. And that’s what makes it fun. Click To Tweet

Perhaps you’ve never thought of it that way before. But the same could certainly be said of freelancing, business, or any other endeavor that involves risk.

Former CD Baby founder Derek Sivers was the first to inspire me to think of things this way. He talks about it quite eloquently in his book, Your Music And People.

School is fine and all. But most of what you learn there is theory. And when you consider how much of it, you’re going to forget anyway, it’s kind of crazy how much time and effort we put into education.

In the real world, you make real connections, spend real money, and take real chances and risks.

Yes, it can be scary. But this is also what makes it fun.

Because when you’re faced with losing it all, you’ve got to roll up your sleeves, figure out how to make a real go of this creativity thing, and take actions that are aligned with your goals.

The Power of Choice

In life, there are choices aligned with comfort, and choices aligned with risk.

One is not better than the other.

Choices aligned with comfort offer some certainty and stability. They are not guaranteed, and they can even be expensive, but most people will support you in your decision to be comfortable and you will find them doing the same things right alongside you.

Choices aligned with risk offer more excitement and upside opportunity. Again, they are not guaranteed, but they don’t necessarily need to cost more (just that you will inevitably win some and lose some). You probably won’t find much support on this side of the fence, and people will call you “lucky” if you succeed.

(I don’t know anyone on this side of the fence that doesn’t work their butt off.)

At different times, we will all make choices on either side. But choices aligned with comfort are always easier, and choices aligned with risk are always scarier.

The Playground of Adulthood

Entrepreneurship is like the playground of adulthood (again, that’s something I picked up from Derek Sivers).

So, the question is whether you want to play in the sand, or work in a cube.

“Oh, it’s just that simple?”

Well… maybe not.

Because you’ve got to know what you want in life. What you enjoy. What you could see yourself doing for 12, 14, or even 16 hours per day.

I’m not advising anyone spend that much time at work. I’m just asking if you could see yourself doing that if need be.

Many people can’t see themselves working for longer than eight hours per day. And if they were honest with themselves, they’d see that between bathroom breaks, lunch, idle chit chat, social media, and email, they are only productive for two hours and 53 minutes per day. That’s based on research.

It’s not the eight hours per day that’s making you tired. It’s the constant task switching that’s killing your productivity.

Of course, you will have many added responsibilities on the playground, with the most important being having a product and a way to sell it. Money is required in the game of survival.

Enter the Jungle

So, the question is:

Do you want to go out into the jungle, risk danger and failure, and enjoy the fulfillment and satisfaction of figuring it all out for yourself?

Or…

Would you prefer to stay in the city, where the well-worn path is laid out before you, and help is always available?

Creativity is closer to trail blazing than following a clearly defined path. That’s what makes it difficult, but that’s also what makes it rewarding.

There’s a limit to how much you can learn about creativity or entrepreneurship in school. It’s all just hypothetical until you’ve got real skin in the game.

There’s a limit to how much you can learn about creativity or entrepreneurship in school. Click To Tweet

The jungle is where the rubber meets the road. It’s where all the real learning happens.

It won’t necessarily be easy. And there will be risk involved. But the skills are learnable. With enough determination and perseverance, you can learn to survive, and eventually, thrive.

Game of Survival, Final Thoughts

While there are many unknowns in the jungle, if you choose it, you will probably find that you are scrappier and more adaptive than you ever thought you were.

And instead of wading through theory, you will be forced to figure out what works, fast.

Again, not all risk is good risk. And the riskier choice isn’t always the right one.

But an entrepreneur is “one who takes risks.” So, in the jungle, you will always be risking to a lesser or greater degree.

Are you enjoying the game of survival?

Shh… Don’t tell anyone. Only the cool kids are talking about it.

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