“ALL In The Game” by Shinobi Muhammad

A person once told me that no ma�er how things appear that at the “end of the day” if I was sold on an idea that was being pushed, bought a product or service that I really did not have a desire for or just fell for some cute face. I basically, fell into the game of “Positioning, Politics and Perception”. Positioning is when someone moves in clear sight of your path. They recognize in some way your desires for something and they move to put themselves between you and what you desire. They realize by doing this your a�ention will eventually fall on them. In many cases, ge�ing in your sight or on your radar may be difficult. Just knowing where they need to be to get your a�ention is one thing. Actually making the right moves to be in sight is another. This moves us to Politics. The POLITICS of being noticed is a li�le trickier. This involves pulling other people into your game. These are people who have access to your subject directly or by some form of association or things of interests. They assist in opening the door of opportunity. The politics is more of an art of manipulation. You manipulate people and even yourself. You manipulate words, emotions and any opportunities which may arise. All of this in order to insure you are able to position yourself properly. Now, you may position yourself, politic well and gain the access you need. However, there is one more key element in the “Game”. Perception is another’s belief in what they see in front of them. How they believe and to what extent they are to commit. Perception is the summation of positioning and politics. People, no ma�er how smart, can and will fall victim to perception. If you line the ducks up in a row properly. All what follows will be accepted as the truth. Those who say don’t fall for perception are the ones most likely to fall for it. It is hard to disbelieve what is lined up to be the truth, a fact and “bo�om line”. It is hard to see through perception if all appears to be in place and stand up. Like a guy who lives in an expensive neighborhood, driving an expensive car, wearing expensive clothes and who dines with well-off or famous people. If that person was to turnaround and give you advice on how to get paid. Would you second guess them? Would you refuse to pay a nominal fee to sit in a room with him to learn his game? Would you question his “net worth” and elite status? Most would not. Henceforth, the game has succeeded. No ma�er how much we feel it is immoral to manipulate others, to use the right words to get what we want and to only want to associate with those with money or access because we want the same. The reality is that it is our human conditioning for survival that leads us down this road. It is instinctive to utilize different methods to get what we want when we want it.

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