The typical definition of success is winning a widely recognized, zero-sum game. However, true happiness and fulfillment come from playing a personal game outside these conventional hierarchies.

To make this choice possible, one must build or discover the foundations for stepping away from “assigned games” and finding a space for an individual path.

If playing and owning my own game is the ultimate goal (Step 3), let’s reverse-engineer the process:

Step 2: Develop better judgment rather than increasing effort. This isn’t about doing more with more time but about learning faster through quicker iterations. Make choices consciously, leveraging time, capital, or technology with intention. Independent thinking and mental resilience are essential.

Step 1: Build a system that fosters focus, not rigid discipline. Discipline without purpose is like struggling against oneself and is unsustainable. Instead, commit to being the person you consciously choose to be, not just pursuing things you think you want. Honesty and mindful clarity are essential to this foundation.