Simon Says is a children’s game for three or more players. One player takes the role of “Simon” and issues instructions (usually physical actions such as “jump in the air” or “stick out your tongue”) to the other players, which should be followed only when succeeding the phrase “Simon says”. Players are eliminated from the game by either following instructions that are not immediately preceded by the phrase, or by failing to follow an instruction which does include the phrase “Simon says”. It is the ability to distinguish between genuine and fake commands, rather than physical ability, that usually matters in the game; in most cases, the action just needs to be attempted.
The object for the player acting as Simon is to get all the other players out as quickly as possible; the winner of the game is usually the last player who has successfully followed all of the given commands. Occasionally, however, two or more of the last players may all be eliminated at the same time, thus resulting in Simon winning the game.
The game is embedded in popular culture, with numerous references in films, music, and literature.
Simon Sinek Says
Timing is everything. In an interview segment with Simon, he pointed out a dynamic that can be used everyday with communication. “We mistake being honest with being honest now,” Simon Sinek. “Honesty always has to be honest. […] But, honesty doesn’t have to happen in the moment.”
He continues with an experience of a friend’s play that he saw. He remarked that it was easily the worst thing he’d ever seen in his entire life. If she wasn’t performing in it, he would’ve walked out. After the play, he was hanging out in the foyer with friends, and family. The actor friend appeared in full costume, and make-up, and approached him. After the salutations, she asked, what did you think?
She knew he was an honest person, or at least known to be that way.
“Now I can’t lie, I have to answer the question, but I can answer it tomorrow when the conditions are better for that message to be received. There’s nothing that says truth has to be brutal. It just has to be true.”
He side-stepped the question with accolades, such as I’m so proud of you, it was so amazing to be here, and what you do your thing. He backed it up by saying all of it was true. The next day, he called her up, and asked, “Can I tell you what I thought of the play?”
He listed off point by point why it was terrible. He had a rational conversation, you meet rational with rational. And furthermore, you meet emotion with emotion.
That 2-minute video resonated with me when I watched it the first time.
Life Coach Carlos
IF, and some say, WHEN I am a life coach, I’ll be modeling myself after Simon. In fact, in the meantime, I’ll get my “weight up” on his material he has available already.
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Do you have a life coach? If you don’t, I highly recommend obtaining one. If only to talk with them for one session. I also recommend interviewing life coaches to find one that best suits your energy. My financial advisor, but mostly life coach, Jeff, has been my choice for several years now.
Do you need the tough love approach? Maybe someone that’s not as heavy-handed? Do you need the same sex perspective? Perhaps the opposite would be a better fit? Only YOU can answer these questions.
Until then, keep digging.
los, Fil-Am Renaissance Man 