The Boring Process Behind a Joyful Life

Back in 7th or 8th grade, I told my father that I wanted to learn chess. He was a lecturer, and a few days later, he called me over. Sitting with him was his colleague, Mansa Uncle, whom we all loved. He asked me to bring the chessboard, and that’s how my first lesson began.

It wasn’t the internet era—not from a household perspective at least—so I learned the old-fashioned way: by playing with whoever was interested. Sometimes it was my Sanskrit tuition teacher, sometimes friends, and often anyone willing to play. But for me, chess wasn’t a serious pursuit. It was just a game—a pleasant challenge, not a calling.

I never asked for chess books or studied strategies. I simply enjoyed the game for what it was. I didn’t know then that those simple evenings with a wooden board and thirty-two pieces would one day teach me one of life’s most profound financial lessons.

Years later, when I was working as a software developer, chess drew me again after several years. A few colleagues often played in the company’s recreation room during lighter workdays. One afternoon, I joined them, and soon found a regular opponent—a friendly colleague from another project who, as it turned out, had played chess at the state level.

He defeated me repeatedly—ten games, maybe more. But it wasn’t the losses that bothered me—it was the way he played. His approach was methodical. Every pawn mattered. Every exchange was calculated. His focus was unwavering.

I, on the other hand, played for entertainment. I wanted to win too, but my play was casual, emotional, and spontaneous. He played only to win. For him, the game was much more serious than entertainment. Gradually, it dawned on me that we were sitting before the same chessboard but playing entirely different games.

Frustrated but curious, I decided to change my approach. I began to play like him—carefully, quietly, with every move thought out. Initially, it felt mechanical. The spontaneity was gone. But slowly, I started to see patterns, traps, and opportunities I had missed earlier. The game started revealing its depth.

And soon, results followed. I began winning. The process had become slower, more demanding—but more rewarding too. I realized something that stayed with me long after those chess sessions ended: the fun fades quickly, but the satisfaction of getting better stays longer.

Charlie Munger once said,

The big money is not in the buying or selling, but in the waiting.

Whether it’s investing or life, the principle is the same. Results follow patience, discipline, and a willingness to play the long game.

Our financial life mirrors the chessboard in many ways. We all dream of a retirement filled with joy, travel, health, and peace of mind. But those dreams rest on a foundation that’s anything but glamorous—regular savings, long-term investing, and resisting the urge to act on every market move.

Like counting pawns, the financial process can feel slow and repetitive. Yet, it’s the only reliable path to a meaningful outcome.

Paul Samuelson (Nobel laureate economist) once remarked,

Investing should be more like watching paint dry or watching grass grow. If you want excitement, take $800 and go to Las Vegas.

The same principle applies to any goal—whether it’s fitness, relationships, or building wealth. You can’t expect to win if you don’t take the game seriously. Fun alone won’t get you far; focus, patience, and respect for the process do.

In chess, the player who values each piece and plans every move often triumphs. In life, those who respect their process—saving, investing, reviewing—create a retirement that truly feels like victory.

Winning in chess or in life is rarely about one brilliant move. It’s about hundreds of small, thoughtful ones made consistently over time. Each pawn moved, each SIP invested, each financial review completed adds up silently to a position of strength.

If we focus on the process and stay patient through the dull moments, the endgame—our financial independence and joyful retirement—takes care of itself.

And the joy you feel when you reach that stage isn’t just about money. It’s about knowing that you played your moves right.

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