A Life Lesson From Gaming
Who knew video games can teach us about success?
At some point, we all start running without tying our shoes. Then we stumble on the rocky path leading to our dreams. The fall is harsh and sometimes forces us to return home with a broken spirit.
Why do we try to mount such steep spires?
Roughly twenty years ago, I wanted to build an indie game studio. I had the skills, the equipment, talented colleagues to help in the areas I lacked, and a story to tell. What stopped me? The over five-year commitment to a potential failure was horrifying. The mountain was too big.
One day my wife saw me in a place of weakness. Wives can read minds, and she knew I was at the trailhead ready to return home. I was about to abandon my new dream to become a professional translator. The summit was above the clouds — I was shivering in fear. She then said this and seized my safety gear from the rocks.
When you play a new game, do you skip the tutorial, skip the story, and fight the final boss?
A one-way ticket to a storyless game over sounded miserable.
We use climbing mountains as a model for reaching our goals. We can see the top from the trailhead, but maps and signposts lack displaying the distance. As a result, we tend to rush out the door forgetting a bag or jacket. Or water…
I decided to start using the RPG model. You can use it, modify it, or throw it away.
Give your dream a name and recognize it exists. This will be the final boss. We don’t need to fuss about them now. Create smaller bosses — there will most likely be a lot. This could be something like building a website. Now create the low-level foe — tasks that could be completed in a day or a week. Things like sketching ideas, writing one paragraph on your website, or writing an email. Next, tackle those foes. Focus on the battles that offer some challenge but not too much.
Enjoy the story, celebrate the experience, get excited over new weapons, and face new foes. The final battle will appear before you, so don’t overthink it and don’t rush after it.
This article was inspired by my wife and Octopath Traveler, a fantastic RPG for the Nintendo Switch and PC.
