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1) Keep Rollin’ Like Donkey Kong
In Donkey Kong Country for the SNES, you spend a lot of time swinging on ropes, jumping on platforms, and blastin’ out of barrels. If you hesitate, things are much more difficult. However, if you keep swinging, and keep leaping to the next checkpoint, it’s not so bad. Don’t over think it. Just move to the rhythm of the level, and you’ll win handily just like this:
I’ve found myself analyzing trivial things like which cereal to buy (Am I the only one this happens to?). I’ve been involved in and observed business conversations go around and around over a decision. Don’t do that. Keep moving.
2) Find the Right Tool like Samus
In Super Metroid, you often run into big obstacles that you can’t possibly get past without the right tool. If you can find the right tool, you’ll make it. And sure enough, the right tool is out there. So grab your high jump boots, throw on the Varia Suit, and equip your grappling beam and be on your way. If you’re really well equipped, you’ll be able to sail through everything, just like this:
I sure learned this lesson when learning to program computers and working in hardware stores. The right tool really is out there. (If it’s not, make it).
3) Win the battle outside of the Arena
In Final Fantasy VII, the Earth creates huge monsters, called “Weapons”, to protect itself. One of the hardest battles in the game is the Sapphire Weapon. You’ve got 20 minutes to win in an underwater battle. You better be leveled up and ready. The thing is, if you’ve put in the hours outside of the battle, the battle itself isn’t that bad. But it probably takes 70 hours of playing in order to be prepared for those 20 minutes.
Here’s what a well prepared team can do (at least in Final Fantasy):
Major point: get business done outside of the meeting.
4) Catch Fire NBA Jam Style
In NBA Jam, if you hit 3 shots in a row without letting the other team score, you catch fire. If you want to stay hot, you can’t let the other team score.
Take shots. Make shots. Keep that fire. And keep your swagger.
5) Like Mortal Kombat says, Test Your Might!
Test your might. Often.
Without challenge, life has no meaning.
6) The Impossible is Nothing for the UN Squadron
In UN Squadron, I hit multiple levels that I thought I could never beat. On the final level of the game, I remember exclaiming, “This is impossible!” as my Dad walked through the room with a laundry basket in hand. He turned and said, “You know, every time you say that, you find a way to win.” And he was right. Many times I thought I surely could never do it, and I always ended up beating it. I’ve kept this in mind ever since then, and I remember just how much of an illusion the impossible can be.
On that final level, I improved my strategy and my reaction times and was then stompin enemy planes like this guy:
7) Winners Save the Princess
They don’t get scared by bottomless chasms, get hurt by fireballs, or get eatin’ by bloodthirsty plants. They don’t even worry about being a 1 foot tall plumber. Winners save the princess. No excuses. Play like a champion.
-Kevin V.
8.15.2011
