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- ###### [Source](https://www.destructoid.com//ul/466358-devil.jpg)


## From Zero to Hero
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I’ve written a number of times in the past on the concept of ‘remembering how to fail’ when it comes to learning a new hobby or talent or skill. Put simply, most abilities that most people have are due to the fact that we did them relentlessly as children. Whether it’s playing the guitar, doing ballet, or speaking a second language, most of our skills are form our youth. And the key reason why children excel at learning is that they are terribly bored and all their friends do it too or their parents forced them tiger-mom style. 

The problem is, as we become rationale adults with responsibilities like college and significant others and jobs, we don’t have the same mindset of learning as we did as toddlers and teens. If you look back at when you played little league, you were probably miserable at the activity for *years*, maybe even close to a dozen or so. Now as an adult, if you pick up a baseball bat for the first time and can’t manage to not strike out in the first 20 minutes, you’re likely never going to even consider playing at any capacity ever again. 

The key point is that we’ve forgotten to fail, because as children we mindlessly did something due to sheer time and camaraderie. If you didn’t play video games as a kid, you’ll likely never play in your later years. I believe that the key to success in adulthood, whether it’s with a personal goal like losing weight or professional one like starting a business, comes down to remembering that failing is an essential component to growth and shifting one’s mindset from ‘I suck this sucks’ to focusing on the longterm and incremental gains/lessons. 

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- ###### [Source](https://78.media.tumblr.com/7a54f0ededb9fad9c439b92a3bc231db/tumblr_inline_obmi2xtRl41sy6ztf_1280.png)

## Each Game is a Potential Success
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I believe that the most condensed way to experience this is through gaming. One could do so with tabletop gaming or trading card games, but those are burdensome and expensive. In my opinion, video games provide the most effective window to presenting yourself with a short-term goal and achieving through a 30 or 50-hour grind. 

I’m not talking about mindless games like Candy Crush or even linear ones like Super Mario. If you pay attention to the games you pick up, you’ll find very challenging titles that encourage growth in concentration and strategy. RTS games like Starcraft or brutally difficult timing-based games like Dark Souls are more in line with what I’m talking about. These games have a more measurable quality of improvement and play with a seemingly endless ceiling for skill. In essence, any game that could become an E-sport is a candidate for a raw experience in failure. 

With these particular types of games, we’re boiling down a time frame where you go from noob to elegant player. There’s always someone better to beat and better ways to play. I’ve approached games like Magic: The Gathering and Fortnite with a more rigorous approach, understanding my play and studying as if taking a high-skill exam. Within 2-3 months for both, I went from failing miserably to more flawless and calculated play. 

I cannot understate the importance of this type of growth, one that would typically take years when it comes to music or sports. With concentrated and meaningful play, you could feasibly become a semi-pro at Fortnite in less than half a year. To my knowledge, there is no medium or activity beyond video games that offers that type of opportunity for exponential growth. 

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With the growing complexity of modern gaming and the high-reaching culture built around it, I cannot recommend enough the type of mental exercise particular games provide. I know that most adults today are a bit of a hit and miss when it comes to gaming and many didn’t have the opportunity at a young age to dedicate enough time and money to the craft (this is why I love the legacy of Fortnite so much). But if you are an adult and can afford a decent graphics card or console of choice, I implore you to hop on a remember how to fail again. And how to win again. 

Steem on! 

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