Introduction
- Speaker: Graham Weaver – private equity founder, inspirational speaker.
- Theme: Redefining success by playing the right game, not just playing better.
Rock Bottom Moment – October 2008
- Lehman Brothers collapsed; market down 40%.
- Largest investor withdrew; predicted all others would too.
- Weaver realized he had only 12 months of savings to survive.
- Emotional breakdown: newborn daughter depending on him, no solution in sight.
- Realization: He was asking the wrong question → Not “how to win this game?” but “Am I playing the right game?”
Redefining a Winnable Game
- Definition:
- A game you can win.
- A game you want to win.
- A game that makes you more of who you want to become.
- Where external success and internal fulfillment align.
Steps to Designing a Winnable Game
1. Choose a Game That Stirs Your Blood
- Select a goal that excites you deeply. You have a better chance of achieving an inspiring goal than a “reasonable” one.
- Story: College rowing tryouts → didn’t make the cut → became a “land warrior.” Trained obsessively until an Olympic coach noticed.
- Daniel Burnham quote: “Make no little plans for they have no power to stir men’s blood.”
2. Design Your Own Game
- Don’t follow the crowded, conventional path. Most rules are just conventional wisdom — ignore them.
- Ask Disruptive Questions:
- What do customers hate about this industry?
- What are competitors unwilling to do?
- What problem breaks your heart?
- What assumptions are you making?
- Scale Bright Spots: Focus on what’s working instead of what’s broken.
3. Assume the Identity of Your Goal
- Write daily: “I am an Olympian” + 3 action steps.
- Assume Success: Begin to believe you are already there.
- Result: Shifted energy and identity led to winning nationals and top 2k meter time in U.S.
4. Don’t Lower the Bar – Set Bigger Goals
- Alpine Fund’s initial defensive goal was the equivalent of aiming to make third-string.
- New Goal: #1 private equity fund in the world; 5x return on every fund.
- Truth: Bigger goals create greater energy, clarity, and resilience. Setting moderate goals makes you more likely to fail.
Living the Vision
Play with People You Admire
- People shape your goals, values, and identity.
- Don’t stay in toxic cultures. Choose people who share your values and celebrate your life outside of work.
Play Now
- Most dangerous words: “Not now.”
- Life doesn’t start after business school or a promotion. These moments are your life.
- You’ll find your winnable game by doing, not waiting.
Final Questions for Reflection
- What would you do if you knew you wouldn’t fail?
- What game will you play with your one precious life?
- Who will you play it with?
- Why wait?
Play big. Play now. ew you wouldn’t fail?
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What game will you play with your one precious life?
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Who will you play it with?
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Why wait?
Play big. Play now.