I spend a lot of time thinking about why I do the things I do. Maybe it’s a form of therapy, a way to process and assess the utilization of my time and determine what my future should look like.

Currently, I am involved with 56 different investments. Some of these are large stakes with majority control, but most are LP interests in either real estate deals or early stage tech companies. To some this may seem insignificant, and to others this may seem extremely overwhelming. For me, it’s just what it is.

Part of it is a lack of focus and a clear thesis for my life. The other part is just learning and finding out what I’m passionate about and interested in.

The conclusion of these thoughts is: It’s all a big game.

I’m a big fan of “The Great Game of Business” by Jack Stack, though admittedly I’ve never adopted his open book management principles. But the title alone has given me a new way to approach the next 10 to 20 years: It really is all a game.

I think about business like playing games with family and friends. At the end of the game, we are still family and friends, and that should never change. There may be some trash talking, frustration and excitement throughout the game, but in the end, it’s all just a game and what matters most are those relationships.

I have often gotten frustrated with the comment, “It’s just business.” That attitude alone makes me want to leave business. It’s NOT just business; it’s people. And if you believe that there’s something more after this life, it’s NOT just business; your actions matter eternally.

I love the game. I love playing the game. But what I love more than the game is playing it with great people. Business should be like playing a board game around the table with people you love. Certainly, some people are far more competitive than others and always want to win, but as you mature and play with people you love, you start to want them to win too. You start to realize that this is a participation game where everyone gets a trophy. There can be winners and losers, but in the end, people matter.

When thinking about why I make the next deal or invest in the next business, it’s because I love playing the game. What winning means to me is more opportunities to continue to play the game and to get others involved. Inviting others to sit at the table and seeing them participate in the game has been the most rewarding experience.

There are rough days and stressful moments, but by seeing it as just a game, I try not to take things personally or stress about things I can’t control.

This isn’t the reality for many people because in most cases, it’s our livelihood we’re talking about. I get that, and that’s what I love about the game. Playing the game at a greater level provides greater opportunities for more people with greater possibilities to do more and be more for their families.

Because I see it as a game, when people want to be nasty or play dirty, I’m out. It’s not because I’m a quitter, but rather it’s because it’s not worth it to me. I don’t care enough because it’s a game. When people say, “Let’s go to war,” I laugh because it’s only a game. I don’t want to go to war because we’re talking about real people.

So, what’s the point of all this? Take a deep breath. Take it easy. Give the other guy a little more grace. And maybe it would be healthy for you to start to look at it as “just a game.”

I’m looking for new people to come to the table and play the game alongside me. I don’t look at it as playing against you; instead we are playing the game together.

So, have a good game.

My Why—I want to partner with great people and help them become more. I want to help them make more money than they ever have made before, so they can live a more fulfilling life that will help them be a better spouse, a better parent, a better community member, and hopefully a better disciple of Jesus Christ.