Life’s a Game—Play It Like a Champion

Here’s a thought: What if you approached life and work like a game? Not in a careless way—far from it—but with the mindset of a seasoned athlete stepping into a championship match. That perspective might be the secret weapon you didn’t know you needed.

Let me explain.

When you treat life as a game, you’re not dismissing its seriousness. Believe me, I know what serious looks like—being a trial lawyer means dealing with moments where everything is on the line. But here’s the paradox: obsessing over the gravity of every situation can paralyze you. Pressure clouds judgment. It slows reaction times. It turns confidence into self-doubt.

Now, think about an athlete under similar stakes. They don’t buckle; they channel their preparation into performance. They don’t let the moment overwhelm them because they’ve trained their minds to trust the process. They’ve done the drills, watched the tape, and built the muscle memory. So when game day arrives, they play. They let instincts, preparation, and talent take the wheel.

This is exactly what you need to do in your own life and business.

Preparation Is Non-Negotiable

Before we talk mindset, let’s get one thing straight: preparation is key. You can’t walk into the “game” half-prepared and expect to perform like a champion. Whether you’re gearing up for a client pitch, a trial, or a major life decision, success starts long before the moment arrives. Rehearse the arguments. Know your facts. Understand the terrain better than your competition.

But preparation isn’t just about data and strategy. It’s also about mental readiness. High-performing athletes use visualization techniques to see themselves winning. You can do the same—picture the best possible outcome and walk yourself through every step to get there.

The Art of Staying Loose

Here’s where most people slip up. They think staying loose means being careless or underestimating the task at hand. It doesn’t. Staying loose means removing unnecessary tension that blocks your natural abilities.

Ever notice how great athletes smile before the big moment? That’s no accident. They know tension is the enemy of precision. A tense tennis player double-faults. A tense trial lawyer stumbles over cross-examination. The solution? Cultivate an attitude of playful confidence. You’ve prepared; you’re ready. Now, trust yourself to deliver.

Why “Game Mode” Works

By framing high-stakes moments as a game, you unlock two powerful advantages: focus and freedom.

1.  Focus: Games demand your attention. When you’re in “game mode,” distractions fade, and you’re fully present. You’re not worried about the outcome; you’re immersed in the action.

2.  Freedom: A game mindset frees you from the fear of failure. You’re not playing not to lose—you’re playing to win. And when you’re free from fear, creativity and instinct thrive.

The Power of Perspective

Here’s a little secret: nobody performs their best when they treat everything like life or death. You need perspective. I’ve seen it firsthand in courtrooms. The lawyers who crumble are often the ones who think every word is a make-or-break moment. The ones who succeed? They zoom out. They see the trial as one move in a larger chess game.

This isn’t about minimizing the stakes—it’s about managing them. It’s about recognizing that pressure is a part of the process, not the whole story.

Bringing It All Together

So, how do you put this into practice? Start by reframing your approach to stress. The next time you’re facing a high-pressure situation, ask yourself: What would an athlete do? They wouldn’t panic. They wouldn’t overthink. They’d trust their preparation, embrace the challenge, and play to win.

Life’s serious, no doubt. But treating every moment as an unrelenting battle only sets you up for failure. By shifting your mindset—seeing life as the game it is—you’ll perform better, enjoy the process more, and, let’s be honest, probably end up with the win.

So take the shot. The clock’s ticking, but you’ve got this.

Mitch Jackson | links