What I Learned From my Nephews and Nintendo

Sometimes when going after our goals and dreams it can seem frustrating because there may be things we want to do but do not have the experience or skill level yet to accomplish them.

My twin nephews, G &T, are like this when they get a new video game for their Nintendo DS or Game Cube. They immediately want to advance to the higher levels of the game, but do not have the skill set or enough knowledge of the game to accomplish this.

But, watching them learn teaches me a lot about approaching “Big” dreams and goals as an adult.

They are initally very excited and dive right in without looking at any instructions and just start playing.

They can usually accomplish quite and bit very quickly and advance through the first one or two levels. Then they hit an ‘boss’ they cannot beat.

They rant and rave, stomp their feet and cry (sometimes, after all they are boys) and sometimes throw things (not something my sister condones, especially when it is one of the DS handhelds). They complain, very loudly, to anyone who is within listening distance that they will never get it, that they are complete failures and should just return the game cartridge to the store. But, at the same time their fingers never leave the console and their eyes never leave the screen.

They ask questions, read the manual, research ‘secrets’ online and keep playing.

They take turns and take breaks.

They help and support one another. One takes a break while the other looks over his shoulder and guides him with the new knowledge he just learned.

Everyday they play. And little by little they advance from one level to the next.

And when they advance to the next level, they celebrate. They scream and holler and high five each other. This can continue for days or even weeks as they relentlessly pursue their goal of mastering the game.

This pattern of behavior can work for adults as well, no matter what we want to accomplish.

Listed below are some of the ‘success secrets’ and behavior patterns I have observed while watching G&T and have applied in my own life. Read them over and let me know what you think.

Juts jump right in and get started. Taking action is the fastest way to make anything happen. Reading all the ‘books’, taking all the ‘workshops’, planning and talking about your ideas doesn’t make them happen. Just start.

Vent your frustrations, get them out of your system, complain to sympathetic friends, write in a journal or talk to your therapist but don’t let them stop you.

Ask questions and talk to other people who are doing what you want to do. Pick their brains for information, find out all you can.

Read and research, find out all you can about what you want to be, do or have. Go online, join an organization or a group, take a continuing education class at the local college, or go to the library or bookstore.

Keep taking action and: keep moving forward. Do something every day related to your dream or goal. Write two pages, exercise for ten minutes, practice for fifteen minutes, make one phone goal, schedule one interview, skip one latte…

Find support: find a mentor, or a friend who can be there to listen and support you. Today, this can be found in the virtual world, as well as, the physical world.

Take breaks. Recognize when you need a break and do something else for awhile. You will come back to the tasks at hand with renewed energy and enthusiasm.

Have fun…enjoy the process.

Don’t give up. Be relentless in the pursuit of your goals. Setbacks happen, but just keep moving.

Celebrate your successes, share them with a friend or classmate, treat yourself to small gift, jump up and down and high five whoever is closest to you.

Do any of these steps sound familiar? Children are amazing teachers.

(Reprint of an original newsletter article, February 15, 2009, with a few revisions.)