Winning the game
A journey from Spectator to observer to player to the game itself.
Your target should be to play an infinite game. The game should be bigger than you, and your game should outlive you.
Pushing the boundaries — breaking the rules strategically.
Consider an NBA championship, players don’t win championships by strictly adhering to the rules. They push boundaries and make fouls. Even the champions who are best 10 players on the court know all the rules by heart still they make fouls pushing the boundaries.
Imagine a basketball team that made a secret covenant only to play by rules, strictly adhering to their guidebook. What do you think their ranking would be?
By imposing these self-limiting, unnecessary restrictions on yourself, you are condemning yourself for the suboptimal outcomes.
Too much rule-following and obedience is as counter-productive as too much rule-breaking and disobedience.
Optimization lies in the sweet spot somewhere between the two extremes.
Foul purposefully and intelligently.