Are You Still Playing A Game You Want to Win?
Readtime: 4 minutes
You didn’t pick the game.
The game picked you.
You said yes to the first offer.
You proved yourself.
You built momentum.
And somewhere along the way, that momentum became a path.
For some, there were twists and turns. For others, a steady climb.
But here’s something I see all the time in mid-career professionals:
They’ve become brilliant at playing the game.
But they’re no longer sure it’s a game they want to win.
How You End Up Winning the Wrong Game
Very few people wake up one day and realise they’re on the wrong path.
It happens slowly. Quietly.
You notice that:
The next promotion doesn’t energise you
You’re constantly busy, but rarely fulfilled
You look at what’s ahead… and think, “I’m not sure I want that”
You’re not failing.
You’ve just outgrown the ambition you started with.
And that creates a subtle, gnawing kind of restlessness.
What It Costs to Stay Too Long
The longer you stay in a game that no longer fits, the more it takes from you.
You drift
You still overdeliver on work
But you no longer care about it
And slowly, you start to wonder:
“Is this really it?”
Here’s the tough part:
The better you are at the wrong game, the harder it is to walk away from it.
That’s why real progress often starts with this uncomfortable question:
Do I still want what I’ve been working so hard for?
So… What Game Do You Actually Want to Win?
There’s no universal answer. But here are a few prompts that help:
→ What kind of work gives you energy – not just satisfaction?
→ What will you most regret not having tried 10 years from now?
→ What would you choose next if you didn’t have to impress anyone?
You don’t need to blow everything up.
But you might need to realign.
Because the best mid-career shifts aren’t about walking away from everything you’ve built.
They’re about building forward from who you’ve become.
In Summary
You might have started your career by default.
But you don’t have to keep living it that way.
If the game you’re playing no longer fits, you’re allowed to change it.
✅ You don’t need permission.
✅ You don’t need to reinvent yourself.
✅ You just need to get clear on what matters to you now.
Because it’s never too late to aim for something that truly fits.
On a Personal Note
When I left my partner role at KPMG, everyone said the same thing:
“You’re so brave.”
What they really meant was: “Are you sure this isn’t a mistake?”
And I get it. On paper, I had everything. Senior role. Great pay. Status.
But deep down, I knew I didn’t want it anymore.
It took me two years to make the decision.
What helped was shifting the question from “What might I lose?”
to “What might I regret not trying?”
That made things clear.
And now? I couldn’t be happier.
I’m building something that fits who I am now – not who I used to be.
If you’re wondering whether you’re still playing the right game… that question about regret might help you too.
Helping people in the second half of their careers rebuild their ambition – on their own terms – is something I now care about deeply.
It’s why I created Atomic Ambition.
If you’re looking for clarity on what’s next for you, so you can be happier and more fulfilled, I’d love for you to join us.
👉 Register for the waitlist for Cohort 2
One Quote to Get You Going
“Your time is limited, so don’t waste it living someone else’s life.”
That’s all for today.
See you in a couple of weeks,
Mostyn
Take a look at Atomic Ambition and join the waitlist for Cohort 2.