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Play All In


I want you to try a little exercise with me. It’s okay if you want to look around and make sure no one is watching first, I’ll wait for you. Okay, ready? Here’s the deal: I want you to stand up, life your arm and reach as high as you possibly can.

Now, reach a little higher. You were already supposed to reach as high as you possibly could, but two seconds later you were able to extend your hand even higher. It’s not like you became more flexible or got taller in the last few seconds. So what’s that about?

You, and myself as well, have been conditioned to hold back. You’ve become accustomed to not going “all in,” but rather keeping a little reserve off the table. While this might be a good strategy in poker, in life you only get to play one hand. And the old adage, “you can’t take it with you” applies to more than just possessions – it’s your effort and expertise as well. Whatever is held back and left over is wasted.

Go all in in life because this is the only hand you get to play. When life requires you to reach as high as you can, don’t hold back.

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