Deep down, do you believe you could be living a bigger, bolder life? Maybe you long for more impact, more passion, or a greater sense of purpose. There’s just a nagging feeling that you’re not tapping into your full potential.
The “Playing Your Bigger Game” philosophy, created by Rick Tamlyn, is all about addressing that struggle. It turns the idea of life into a game – a game designed to be challenging, rewarding, and a true reflection of who you are. This approach promises to help you break free from limiting patterns and step into a world of unlimited possibility.
In this blog series, I’ll be unpacking the “Playing Your Bigger Game” framework, examining the core components that can help you craft a more fulfilling life. Let’s explore how to define your purpose and embrace the exciting adventure of playing a game uniquely designed for you.
What is The Bigger Game?
The main idea behind Rick Tamlyn’s “Bigger Game” philosophy is the idea that life can be approached like a game that you intentionally design. Instead of passively drifting through days, you take the reins. You set your own goals, embrace challenges with excitement, and proactively craft a life that reflects your deepest passions and potential.
It’s important to understand that playing the bigger game isn’t about chasing traditional markers of external success like wealth or status. Instead, the focus is on internal transformation and growth. It’s about uncovering your purpose – identifying what makes you come alive and what unique contribution you long to make. Most importantly, it’s about aligning your daily life with who you truly are, allowing your values, passions, and talents to shine through.
Key Components of the Bigger Game
The “Bigger Game” philosophy is built on nine interrelated components. These elements work together to provide a framework for transforming your life into one of purpose and fulfillment. Let’s briefly explore each component:
Comfort Zones
Our comfort zones are the familiar spaces where routines feel effortless and fears are kept at bay. While there’s nothing inherently wrong with comfort, staying within this zone too long can stifle growth and opportunity. The “Bigger Game” philosophy recognizes comfort zones as both a starting point and a barrier to be overcome. It encourages identifying the thoughts, habits, and situations that keep you feeling safe but small.
Hunger
Hunger, in the context of the “Bigger Game”, isn’t about physical need. It’s the deep-seated yearning to achieve something meaningful, to make a difference, and to live a life that feels expansive. This hunger becomes your inner compass, guiding you towards a life of passion and purpose. It’s the fuel that motivates you to step outside of what’s comfortable, to persist through challenges, and to never give up on creating a life that truly excites you.
Compelling Purpose
Your compelling purpose is your life’s “why” – the reason you get out of bed in the morning and the fire that fuels your actions. It encompasses your passions, values, and your unique contribution to the world. Within the “Bigger Game” framework, discovering your compelling purpose sets the stage for everything else. It gives your life direction, aligns your actions towards something meaningful, and brings a greater sense of intentionality to your day-to-day choices.
Assess
The “Assess” component is about gaining an honest and accurate understanding of your current reality. It means taking a clear-eyed look at your strengths and weaknesses, your habits and patterns, and identifying the areas where you have the greatest potential for growth. This isn’t about judgment or self-criticism; it’s about gathering the information and awareness needed to make informed decisions about where to focus your energy for the greatest impact in your bigger game.
Bold Action
The idea of playing your bigger game is fundamentally about taking action. It means embracing calculated risks, overcoming the fear of failure, and proactively moving towards the fulfilling life you envision. Bold action can be grand gestures, yet the emphasis is on consistent steps. It’s about making small (and sometimes not-so-small) leaps forward each day, staying the course when challenges arise, and learning from wins and setbacks alike.
Gulp
“Gulp” is a playful term that acknowledges a natural part of the growth process – those moments of anxiety, insecurity, or the urge to retreat when the road ahead seems uncertain. It’s the feeling often experienced right before stepping outside your comfort zone or taking a big risk. The framework recognizes “gulps” as a signal that you’re on the right track, pushing personal boundaries and aiming for exciting new possibilities. Instead of allowing fear to hold you back, you’re encouraged to embrace the “gulp” as a sign of impending growth.
Sustainability
True transformation isn’t an overnight process. Tamlyn’s framework emphasizes the importance of creating sustainable practices, routines, and habits that support long-term well-being and continuous growth. This includes building in time for rest and recovery, making self-care a non-negotiable, and consistently reassessing to maintain a healthy balance between the different aspects of your life. It’s about rejecting the notion of quick fixes and choosing the steady path that ultimately leads to lasting fulfillment.
Allies
Playing a bigger game becomes significantly easier with a supportive community. Allies are those who inspire, encourage, and champion your success. They offer accountability and different perspectives, picking you up when you stumble and celebrating your wins. The philosophy encourages you to intentionally cultivate a network of allies– whether mentors, friends, family, or a like-minded community– who believe in your potential and support you along the journey.
Investment
Playing your bigger game requires a willingness to invest in yourself. This investment takes many forms. It could mean financial investments in education, training, or coaching that broaden your skills and knowledge. It also includes investing your time and setting aside dedicated hours for personal growth, reflection, and strategizing. Most importantly, “investment” within the bigger game means cultivating the mindset of a learner – being open to feedback, embracing continuous improvement, and seeing challenges as stepping stones to greater success.
Start Playing Your Bigger Game
All in all, Rick Tamlyn’s “Bigger Game” philosophy offers a path to break free from limitations and design a life that fuels your passions. If something in you resonates with the concepts we’ve touched on today, it may be a sign you’re ready to explore further.
This is just the beginning. In upcoming posts of this blog series, we’ll delve deeper into each of the nine components, offering practical strategies and exercises to help you apply the “Bigger Game” philosophy to your own life. Are you ready to transform limits into possibilities, tap into your hunger, and design a life of greater fulfillment?
If you have any questions or if you’re ready to take the next step, contact me today. As a leadership development coach trained in Rick Tamlyn’s Bigger Game philosophy, I’d be honored to help guide you on this transformative journey.