Keeping Score

The NBA Eastern Conference Finals finished last night and the Raptors beat the Bucks. This was the result due to just one factor.

At the end of the game, the Raptors had more points than the Bucks.

Not more steals. (Both teams had the same amount)

Not more rebounds or shots. (The Bucks had more of both)

It wasn’t because the Raptors tried harder or because they deserved it more.

They won simply because, in basketball, having more points at the end of the game is what matters.

With this in mind, consider the equivalent of earning a point in life.

It’s easy in our culture to measure money in the bank or professional accomplishments as the markers for success. However, money alone can’t buy a win in the game of life and those who burn bridges and harm others to get to the “top” often end up alone, stripped of their achievements, or unable to enjoy any of what they attained.

Trust is the asset that makes life meaningful.

Earning trust is earning points.

Even money is worthless without having trust in its worth. Imagine a random stranger handing you a check for $10,000 with your name on it. What if the person you looked up to most handed you the same check?

Trust is what makes it matter.

Build it by making promises to yourself and others, and then keep them.

In our relationships. As parents. As doctors. As people who have to face ourselves in the mirror.

This is how we win.

PS: Remember that in life it’s not the one with the most points at the end that wins and we decide how we want to keep score.