The Will To Learn, Part 2

I have two follow-ups to my post about game education from the other day (The Will To Learn).

First off, there’s an article in Tom Sloper’s game design FAQs called Is It Enough? which echoes what I was trying to say, but I think far more eloquently.

You have to work hard at what you love. Then you have to continue working hard at it. Then when you get dealt a setback, you have to go right back to working hard at it some more. But if you love it, you’ll do that anyway, without having to hear me telling you what to do. If you do that, then eventually, some day, some time, some place, you’ll meet someone who’ll see what’s inside you and will give you the chance to show your stuff.

My friend Ian Schreiber, who’s a professional game designer, had the following to say:

The question “What if I’m motivated but not talented” inherently assumes that talent is static. That assumption is flawed. Talent can be learned through study, practice and hard work (all of which are available to someone who is motivated). Therefore, the (motivated && !talented) problem is temporary, and will fix itself.

The one thing you might add is that gaining talent takes time, so you really need TWO things: motivation and patience.

If you have those, then this isn’t a problem. If you’re lacking either one, then you’re likely to complain about how you deserve a break but no one will give it to you, boo hoo, and you’re really just claiming that you have motivation when you actually don’t, and you’re just kidding yourself but you sure as hell aren’t fooling the rest of us.

Good advice all around.