About You (Part 1)
How different are you from a computer version of yourself? (Photo via Tech PowerUp Forums)
Have you ever wondered what it would be like if you could be a wizard in real life?
You probably imagine magic wands, being like Harry Potter or causing your hated boss to vanish with a snap of your fingers. Sorry to burst you bubble, that’s impossible. If you’ve ever played a table top or computer role-playing game such as Oblivion
What if these role playing games could actually teach you something about yourself? Like looking in a mirror. (Okay, you psychology researchers you can smile now.) Say…
How You Set and Keep Goals
Are you going to be a hard working, practical warrior? An easy going, salesman thief? A technology, engineering wizard? That’s like choosing the job you want (the job that really, really suits you). Funny it’s so easy in a game and yet in real life many people have no clue.
It’s also related to choosing your real life goals. Having that goal helps you figure out what your best skills should be and what to work on.
In some roleplaying games (like Oblivion) you can make up your own class. It’s a lot harder though just as rewarding. In real life that’s like becoming an entrepreneur who starts their own business. Risk taking players only though.
And what about…
How Much You Like Practicing
Time is a created thing. To say ‘I don’t have time,’ is like saying, ‘I don’t want to.’
~ Lao Tzu
Oblivion as a role playing game is the best example of why practice, practice, practice makes you a more powerful character. In the game you have to constantly practice key skills for your character type that lets you:
- Become better at doing those skills (like turning lead into gold — if only!).
- Level up your character. (like getting a promotion to manager or CEO)
In a game like Oblivion you literally have to swing your sword or cast spells over and over again to gain “experience”. You want to be a master of making jack-o-lanterns? Keep on making them and you’ll figure out every trick in the book to do it.
Can you stand doing something over and over again unless you like to?
Practicing the smart way means knowing what you want to be (or your vision of it — your class). If you’re clueless about what your end goal is, you’ll be spreading yourself thin practicing too many skills and your character will be weaker overall (though you’ll be pretty flexible for standing in on a pinch).
And…
How Patient and Hard Working You Are
In a roleplaying game, it can take a lot of time to reach “high” levels of skill and experience for your character. Just like real life of course. In real life you have to take on the challenges that come your way and get around them.
In a game it’s similar, you have to beat the monsters, finish the side quests (side jobs) for extra cash and experience and solve puzzles (i.e. like how to market your product all over the East coast).
All in the name of your ultimate goal or desire — whatever that happens to be. In a game it might be Archmage of the Mage’s Guild or defeat the evil villain of the entire game. In real life it might be traveling to Greece to set up the bike shop you always dreamed of running, helping your community get clean fresh water through a nonprofit organization or becoming a successful head of your own company.
Here’s a key thing to keep in mind — spend less time playing these games (unless they’re educational, for training) and spend more time on YOU (the real life character). Work on YOU.
So you know 3 of the 8 things that roleplaying games can show you about yourself — your goal setting approach, your practice “work ethic” and how patient you are. What could the other 5 things be?
Stay tuned for Part 2 of 8 Things Roleplaying Games Can Teach You… (About You!).
Is there anything you think that’s been missed?
PS. Yes, I’m a jack of many trades however I do have key skills that I’m better at over others — know what you want and what skills you need to work on to get there.
