The Way I Play Video Games is the Way I’ve Always Played Video Games

I used to tell myself I was a video game completionist. That if I started something, I’d have to finish it.

Until a few years ago, I felt that way about books — if I started a book, I’d have to finish. And that’s stupid, right?

If I’m not enjoying a book, I should put it down — my time is too limited for me to waste it on media I’m not enjoying.

Over the holiday break, I wanted to dedicate some time to playing a video game. My friend Austin recommended Immortals: Fenyx Rising, which I loved.

But here’s the thing: I knew I wasn’t going to finish it, and I didn’t care.

I thought this was some break from my normal approach — that before kids, I’d have to finish the game.

But that was only really true with Star Wars games because I was interested in the story. Every other game, I’d abandon when it got hard or was no longer fun for me.

I realized the games I really like these days are open world, complete missions when you want, or just run around have fun for a bit. It’s very similar to the “run and gun” games I liked in my 20s.

This has made video games much more enjoyable for me again — it’s no longer a chore I feel I need to do. It’s something I can do, with my kids, to decompress.

There’s a lot of stuff like that in my business too — and probably yours. Things you told yourself you have to do, for whatever reason.

I’m getting ready to speak at Podfest tomorrow, and I’m challenging the audience to shift that mindset. I want to extend that challenge to you too.

What’s something you tell yourself you’ve “always” done, that you either no longer do, or don’t have to do?

How can that improve your process, free up your time, and make what you’re doing no longer feel like a chore?