Ballenger’s tic-tact-toe metaphor
From the book “Borrow Smart Retire Rich“-
The first time you played tic-tac-toe, did you win or lose? How about the second time? I’d guess that the first time someone showed you the game, you probably lost. I’d also guess that the second or third time you played, you were less likely to lose. Eventually, when both players understand the rules of tic-tac-toe, the winner is the one who can maintain their focus.
Like tic-tac-toe, the rules of managing wealth in the house are very much within your reach. Once you realize that you’re playing a game, you’ll be more likely to want to understand the rules. You can spend your entire life playing a game without realizing it. Or, you can learn the rules and choose to play with a higher degree of awareness.