A recent post/email from an online guru that I've read for years started with the line:
Don't play games you can't win.
That has been a theme of mine since I was a kid. I learned early on that others were better than me, so I had to change things up. Star Trek reinforced that idea with Captain Kirk and the crew changing the game so they could get to a better outcome for everyone involved, even their opponents.
For a long time in my career I kept bringing new things in because I knew I would never be "as good as" the old guys that didn't want to change. I remember when I developed a web-based log system for my workplace some of the old guys were still saying "nobody uses that" as I implemented it's 24/7 use. Instead of fighting against their bias and opposition I went with the people that actually wanted me to do it and succeeded. It was an amazing feeling!
I've had to do that in relationships, too. People have made assumptions about me that were wrong and pushed me away for years. Instead of continuing to wish things were different I've learned to accept things as they are and go in my own direction. I don't like the feeling of loss but have learned to accept and live with it.
The article by Seth Godin was good. You can check it out at
https://seths.blog/2025/09/system-architect-system-victim/
+++
