Why Strategy (Not Hustle) Is the Real Superpower

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Good morning Grinder,

Let me ask you something a little uncomfortable...

Are you actually playing the right game?
Not working hard, not doing your best, not grinding daily—I mean, are you sure the game you’re playing is the one you’re supposed to be in?

That’s the question bestselling author and marketing legend Seth Godin asked in a recent mind-expanding interview called “Playing the Right Game and Strategy as a Superpower.” And honestly, it hit me like a cold splash of clarity.

If you want to watch the full Seth Godin interview, grab a coffee and settle in. It might change the way you look at your work forever.

We live in a world that celebrates hustle culture. Wake up early. Do the work. Out-grind everyone. And while there’s merit to discipline and consistency, there’s a sneaky, dangerous lie baked into that mindset:

Godin flips the script by saying what most people don’t want to hear: It’s not enough to be good at what you do. You need to be clear on why you’re doing it, and what game you're trying to win.

The Wrong Game: A Trap in Disguise

In the interview, Seth tells a story about entrepreneurs who copy what others are doing—launching a product, growing followers, making noise—without stopping to ask if they’re chasing someone else’s definition of success. It’s like training for a marathon when the prize is actually a swimming trophy.

Here’s the truth: we all inherit invisible rulebooks. Social media, school, our parents, even our competitors influence what we think success should look like. Bigger numbers. More followers. Faster growth. But if you’re playing their game, you’ll never win yours.

Seth’s big idea? Before you execute a plan, ask: “Is this even the game I want to play?”

If not, stop. Pause. Choose again. It’s never too late to rewrite the rules.

Strategy Isn’t Just Planning. It’s Seeing Clearly.

Godin defines strategy as intentionally deciding what to do—and what to ignore—based on who you want to serve, how you want to show up, and what change you want to make.

That sounds simple, but most people skip this step. Instead of building a strategy, they start chasing tactics—launch a funnel, post on Instagram, write a blog, run an ad. Sound familiar?

But without strategy, tactics are just noise. Random action creates random results.

Strategy is what gives your decisions context. It’s the difference between throwing spaghetti at the wall and cooking a five-star dinner. One is chaotic. The other is intentional, creative, and deeply satisfying.

Seth challenges us to become more strategic by asking:

• What’s the real change I want to make?

• Who do I serve best?

• What game am I no longer willing to play?

The answers won’t come immediately, but they’re worth sitting with.

The Courage to Play a Different Game

Here’s where it gets really juicy—and kinda scary.

Godin points out that many people know they’re playing the wrong game... but they’re afraid to stop. They’ve built momentum. Their audience expects certain things. Their friends admire their hustle.

But staying in the wrong game because it’s familiar is like staying in a relationship that drains you because "you’ve already invested so much." It's the sunk cost fallacy disguised as loyalty to a life that no longer fits.

It takes courage to switch games mid-season. But that’s what the best strategists do. They pivot. They pause to reassess. They don’t waste energy chasing trophies they don’t want.

Superpower Status: Clarity + Commitment

According to Seth, your real superpower isn’t genius or talent or charisma—it’s clarity. Clarity about your purpose. Clarity about your strategy. Clarity about your finish line.

Because once you’re clear, you can stop spinning. You can say no to distractions. You can design a path that actually leads to the kind of life and business you want—not what the world tells you to want.

And let’s be honest: clarity is rare. That’s why it’s powerful.

So What Now?

If this stirred something in you, good. That’s the point.

Here’s your challenge this week: Take 15 minutes to reflect on the game you’re playing.

Ask yourself:

• Do I even want to win this game?

• Am I chasing numbers or meaning?

• Is my strategy serving me, or just keeping me busy?

And if you’re brave enough to admit it’s time to shift course—don’t see that as failure. See it as wisdom.

Because the best time to change your game is before you win the wrong one.

Talk soon,

N. Amadeus

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