Money and Sinek’s Infinite vs. Finite Games Thinking
I don't think I know of anyone in my social circles who hasn't watched the famed Simon Sinek TEDTalk, "Start with Why", at least once. The 2009 TEDTalk has ~27M views on YouTube. (How great leaders inspire action | Simon Sinek)
From his TEDTalk fame, Sinek published numerous books which have landed on the best-seller lists. In 2019, Sinek published, The Infinite Game, (https://www.amazon.com/Infinite-Game-Simon-Sinek/dp/073521350X) in which he brought the terms "finite game" and "infinite game" into mainstream conversation. This week, I ponder how the finite and infinite game concepts intersect with the topic of money.
When I think about money "mindsets" however, the first thing that comes to me are the well-known scarcity vs. abundance mindsets. Are these labels different than the finite vs. infinite game mindsets? I don't think so. I think the finite/infinite labels are parallels to the scarcity/abundance mindsets.
Check it out:
Finite Game = Scarcity
Known players
Fixed Rules
Game ends at some point
Winner and Losers
What's best for ME?
Focus on Stats
Infinite Game = Abundance
Known and unknown players
No agreed upon rules
Game never ends
No such thing as "winning"
What's best for OTHERS?
Focus on Legacy
Here are examples of FINITE game or SCARCITY thinking regarding MONEY:
"There are a limited number of jobs and employment opportunities."
"There are the haves and the have-nots."
"No matter how much I save, I'll never have enough."
"I'll be lucky to ever retire one day."
"If I don't take this 9-to-5 job, I'll end up on the street."
"I can't help my co-workers because only 1 of us is going to get promoted."
"Those fat cats are going to keep all the profits, while I'm lucky to scrape by."
"I'm gonna get mine…. So, I'll take a longer lunch, or take company supplies home for personal use."
"I can't donate money, I need it just as much as they do."
"Only the wealthy can be generous."
"Investing is so confusing and time-consuming. Why bother?"
"Why bother with financial planning? It's not like I'm rich."
In contrast, here's what ABUNDANCE thinking sounds like when viewing MONEY as an INFINITE game:
"I can see the skillset/accomplishments which led to her promotion."
"I am bummed I didn't get that job, but there must be something better for me ahead."
"If I'm willing to work hard, I can always earn more money."
"Opportunity awaits in many areas of my professional life. Promotion, role change, job change, who knows?"
"If God provided that money, God can provide more."
"There's plenty of money out there for everyone."
"I am grateful for those large donors at our fundraiser."
"I admire those who make a lot of money and then give it away."
"My worth and significance do not come from the balance of my investment accounts."
"I can make small financial changes today which can positively impact my future."
"Investing takes time, but it's worth it."
"If I plan now, I don't have to worry about the future."
If Simon Sinek hired me as his financial advisor, I think we'd get along famously (not only because we would both have an infinite game view of money, but because I find him very handsome and would enjoy our Zoom calls…. :) ). We would enjoy working together because we share a view of the world which believes that when we cultivate an infinite game or abundance mindset - our optimism about the future breeds positive outcomes. Money follows optimism. Money follows passion. Money follows those who think generously. Money follows those who think in terms of "possibilities" and a "dynamic future".
Working with a financial advisor is one of the greatest proofs of an infinite game or abundance mindset. One has to believe in the value of:
setting goals
imagining different outcomes
the ability to achieve one's desires
making changes that can impact the future
Do you view money and building your personal wealth as a finite game or infinite one?
Prove it.