Finite VS Infinite: How Fitness Should Be Approached...
I’ve recently started another of Simon Sinek's books called The Infinite Game. The concept of the book is there are two types fo games which can be played in life. Each bringing its own advantages and disadvantages.
The Finite game he refers to things like sports where there are rules. A set agenda and rules to be followed and at the end of the game, the round or the set there is a score which will determine a winner because there is a beginning, a middle and an end.
The Infinite game he likens to business. You may not know the other players, new ones are free to join at any time and there is no set of fixed rules (only laws) to govern it. Unlike a Finite game an Infinite game has no beginning middle or end. Sure we may use intermediate metrics to measure things along the way like financial years or profit and loss statements but there is no finish line.
If you are still with me here you can probably see how this would play into the fitness space. We are given one body in which to last us this lifetime and we know that in order to look perform and feel ou best we need it to be as healthy as possible. However these days people are constantly using Finite rules (challenges, 6 week shred and the like) to play the game of life which in my opinion is more like an Infinite game.
We all know you can’t just go to the gym for 12 hours for one day and expect to be in good shape. If you instead chose to go for just 30 minutes every day you’d have a much better chance of being in shape.
Although the industry wants us to believe we need to set arbitrary goals and set dates for these whether or not we hit them doesn’t matter as much as if we do some movement every day, get a good amount of sleep each night and eat fruit/vegetables/no sugar and sufficient protein every day for our whole lives.
My hope is that more people choose to play the Infinite game with their health and fitness than choosing the Finite game and spinning their wheels their whole lives…
Shaun Diachkoff
@shaundiachkoff