The joy of the game itself. http://amzn.to/2hHeNww
Book: Eleven Rings
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Playing for the joy of game itself
In Eleven Rings, Phil Jackson writes about the joy of the game itself. Jackson won eleven NBA championships as a coach, working with stars like Michael Jordan and Kobe Bryant. Yet he often emphasised that the deepest satisfaction came from the game, not from trophies.
This perspective may seem surprising in professional sport, where results determine careers. However, Jackson believed that teams play better when they enjoy the process. Pressure to win can tighten muscles and minds. Joy, by contrast, encourages creativity, cooperation and resilience.
Rediscovering the joy of game at work
The same principle applies beyond basketball. Many people start careers with enthusiasm, then lose it under targets and deadlines. Rediscovering joy does not mean ignoring results. Instead, it means paying attention to the parts of work that feel engaging and meaningful.
Psychologists describe intrinsic motivation as doing something because it is inherently satisfying. Research by Edward Deci and Richard Ryan shows that intrinsic motivation supports persistence and wellbeing. Therefore, protecting enjoyment is a strategic choice, not a luxury.
Practical steps help. Notice which tasks absorb you and look for ways to do more of them. Celebrate good plays, not only final scores. For example, a team might review what went well in a project, regardless of the final outcome.
Play itself has value too. Games, hobbies and sports remind adults how to engage without pressure. Moreover, playful environments often generate more ideas.
Leaders influence the mood of teams strongly. Those who model enjoyment make it acceptable for others to feel it as well.
In the end, Jackson’s insight is simple. Results matter, but joy sustains the effort that produces them. Playing for the game itself often leads to the best outcomes.
In short, enjoyment is fuel. Therefore, protect it. For example, start practice sessions with a favourite drill. Moreover, end them on a positive note. As a result, people come back eager for more.
