"Work Harder!" is DEAD! (and what to do instead as a game dev) - Easy Mode Ep75

Summary

In this insightful video, the speaker challenges the conventional belief that hard work is the only path to success. Drawing on their 13 years of experience in the gaming industry, the speaker advocates for motivation rooted in enjoyment and curiosity, rather than relentless effort. By illustrating how gaming and learning can be fun and rewarding, the speaker emphasizes the importance of pursuing what excites you. They argue that accessible resources and structured steps can make progress feel natural, leading to success without the pressure of 'working harder.' The message encourages finding joy in the journey towards achieving one's goals.

Takeaways

• 😀 Hard work alone isn't the key to success. It can often lead to frustration rather than progress.
• 🎮 Motivation is key to success, and it can be drawn from doing things that are fun and rewarding, similar to playing video games.
• 📚 Resources like tutorials, books, and online content have made learning more accessible than ever before.
• 🎯 Setting clear goals and finding steps to achieve them helps make the learning process enjoyable and productive.
• 💡 Motivation should come from enjoyment and intrinsic interest, not from an externally imposed need to work harder.
• 🧠 The science of motivation suggests that the feeling of reward is crucial to staying motivated in any task.
• 🎮 In video games, progress happens naturally because the focus is on fun, not on the amount of time spent or effort exerted.
• ⏱️ Counting the number of hours worked or steps taken isn't as important as enjoying the process itself.
• 🛠️ Success in any field, including game design, comes from taking incremental steps, starting small and gradually building up skills.
• 🎓 Education and work can be approached with the same mindset as gaming: by focusing on the fun and motivation in the journey rather than the hard work itself.

Q & A

Why does the speaker believe that the advice to 'work harder' is not effective?

The speaker believes that the advice to 'work harder' is not effective because it has not worked for them at any point in their life. They feel that it leads to struggles and a detrimental effect rather than success.

How did the speaker's experience with school assignments relate to their view on 'working harder'?

In school, the speaker found assignments like composition or math problems absurdly focused on quantity over quality. Teachers required lengthy submissions without considering the content's value, leading the speaker to question why working harder (in terms of length and repetition) was prioritized over the depth or purpose of the task.

What shift in perspective did the speaker experience in their approach to work and learning?

The speaker shifted their perspective by recognizing that learning and working could be more enjoyable and motivating if approached like a video game—focusing on fun and intrinsic rewards rather than forced hard work.

How do video games exemplify the speaker's idea of motivation and work?

Video games provide motivation through intrinsic enjoyment. Players engage because they find the game fun, not because they are forced to work harder. The motivation is fueled by the enjoyment of the game itself, and players naturally progress without feeling pressured to complete tasks.

What does the speaker mean by saying motivation comes from having 'something you enjoy' and the 'feeling of reward'?

Motivation comes from finding something you enjoy and feel rewarded by. This could be a skill or activity that excites you, and knowing that achieving it will bring personal satisfaction or recognition, such as mastering a skill or creating something meaningful.

How does the speaker suggest we approach work or learning in a way that aligns with motivation?

The speaker suggests that we approach work or learning by focusing on fun and intrinsic motivation first. By finding something enjoyable and rewarding, and then breaking it into achievable steps, the process becomes motivating without the need to focus on hard work and exhaustion.

How did the speaker’s interest in neural networks in computer science relate to their motivation?

The speaker found neural networks in computer science motivating because the subject was inherently interesting to them. They were excited by the idea of using AI in games, and the fun and relevance of the topic kept them engaged throughout the course.

What connection does the speaker make between enjoying work and achieving success?

The speaker argues that when you enjoy what you do, success follows naturally. They suggest that engaging in enjoyable activities that bring rewards (like learning a new skill) helps achieve milestones and personal growth, rather than focusing solely on hard work or the number of hours invested.

Why does the speaker think that work or school shouldn’t be seen as something ‘not fun’?

The speaker questions why work or school must be perceived as ‘not fun.’ They believe that by approaching tasks with the same enjoyment and motivation we have when playing games or pursuing hobbies, we could make work and learning more fulfilling and less burdensome.

What example does the speaker give of how personal interests and enjoyment can drive motivation?

The speaker uses the example of being a Dungeon Master in a Dungeons & Dragons campaign. Rather than seeing the preparation as work, the speaker finds joy in creating the story, organizing the group, and building the campaign, which motivates them to continue doing it.