How do you get to the next level of a video game? You play, of course. So, I have just a few points I want to make on this subject today. Firstly, do NOT give up! Chances are, your avatar will die a time or two or you will in some way or other fail before advancing to the next level. If you give up & decide never to play the game again just because you, as the player, make one mistake causing you to “lose” the game or back up a level, well… You will never get very far. Video games mimic life in the sense that success often requires failure. But, more importantly, learning from that failure. If you can figure out what you did wrong & how to improve, your chances are better of progressing towards your end goal. 

Secondly, video games require focus. You need quick reflexes, sure. But, predominantly these games often require you to outwit your opponent(s) or to be strategic in some way. Again, such is life. In order to succeed you can’t just float through life waiting to win the game. You have to be active. You have to plan ahead, think, organize, strategize. I won’t get into the importance of exercising your brain right now, I will save that talk for another day. However, as I have often said, you must set goals & work to achieve them. You must actively be thinking through things & focusing on what you can learn from your mistakes, figure out new tactics & constantly be conscious of what you are doing & what is going on around you. If you want to rise to the top, study how others in your field got there, & then make a plan that conforms to your strengths & weaknesses to pull yourself up. But, whatever you do, do not sit passively by watching the game happen, not utilizing your controller to make moves. 

Last, I would just like to point out the fact that you have to actually play the game in order to “level up.” Life is a game & if you don’t take part you can never expect yourself to improve or go anywhere. PLAY the game! Get involved, make mistakes, learn from them, strategize & plan out your next move, but play the game. Trust that each level you are at is there to teach you something, a new skill, without which you cannot move up. Think about it. Chances are, you can’t beat level 3 if you lack the basic skills required to pass level one. You are learning as you go, assuming you don’t give up. The game is a process, & by the end you will be better than you were when you started. Trust the process, do not get frustrated with the things you are struggling with now. Your struggles are fleeting, they will pass & you will move on to bigger & harder things. Know also that as you progress, so will your struggles. Meaning, you will discover more challenges, some harder than your previous ones, as you move up the ladder. Do not let this catch you off guard or anger you. Yes, it actually is fair! You don’t get the title of being “the best” or “the winner” by being mediocre. Those who win are those who try hard, learn from their failures, & never give up! ❤