As I sit in Latte Da doing my work, I'm distracted by a Brazilian exchange student and his sponsor playing Monopoly. Because I am a chronic multi-tasker, I find focusing on one idea to be a challenge. However, my attention span is divided because this particular interation is about much more than a board game -- it is a battle of wits, where ethics, training, negotiation, sales and, of course, leadership come into play.

As I listen, I think about how much of what we do every minute of every day creates the neuro-network that forms how we live our lives. The choices that we make in simple games like Monopoly serve as training for the BIG decisions. How we speak, how happy we are for the others' successes, how honest we are, how willing we are to make concessions and the example we set for others creates opportunities in business and life.

Each of us lives by our own set of rules and standards. What are your definitions of success? What are you hoping to achieve? Whatever they answer, upside thinking and Monopoly can help get you there!