4 simple steps to treat your life like a video game & instantly level up

Last night, I was so inspired by a Netflix movie, that I jumped off the couch and into action.

… Shit no one says. ¯_(ツ)_/¯

Too many people live life like a movie. Passively waiting for it to happen to them. Every high and low is more dramatic than the last.

And then, there are others living life like a video game. Leveling up at every chance they get, actively building the life they’ve dreamed of, and striving for a clear goal.

These are the 4 steps I took to ditch my movie life and start living it like a video game. And why you should too.

Step 1: Ditch “lizard brain” mentality

The lizard brain is the never-ending voice in your head that tells you you can’t do something.

• “You’re not good enough”
• “You don’t deserve it”
• “You’ll never make it”

It’s your brain’s primitive way of keeping you alive. Of protecting you from danger. Of reducing risk.

Mental garbage.

Your lizard brain is based on survival, not excellence. Getting over your lizard brain is the first step in becoming the person you want to be.

In a video game, no one dies from thinking they can’t do something. The only way to find out is by trying.

When you make mistakes (and trust me, you will), it’s usually not life or death. You simply get up, dust yourself off, and try again.

I studied to be an architect. Then I worked in the industry. But I was just going through the motions. Not making moves to advance or improve my life.

It wasn’t until I started creating and actually testing myself that I saw things go my way. You know what they say… “Gotta risk it for the biscuit.”

Step 2: Unlock skills & features of yourself

As you unlock new levels in a video game, you also get access to new skills and features.

In real life, same thing! You have skills and features too.

The problem is, that life is a big connect-the-dots game. You have to discover those dots even exist before you connect them. In other words, you have to learn those new skills, paths, and lessons before you make big strides.

The more new stuff you try, the more you learn about yourself, and the more opportunities and connections you unlock.

In the case you know which skills you need, start learning new things.

• Take that course you’ve been putting off
• Move to a new country and learn their language
• Meet new people who’ll push you to be a better version of yourself

Hint: Force yourself out of your comfort zone and you’ll experience the most growth.

For example, if I hadn’t moved to the United States (which was really freakin’ hard), grind in New York to build my business, then decided to take a chance and move to Austin (where I met my awesome friend group), I wouldn’t be where I am today. No way.

Do hard shit. Learn from your failures and mistakes. I promise you’ll be better off each and every time.

Step 3: Choose your north star

In a video game, this is easy. Your mission is to defeat the mafia boss, evil villain or zombie.

Your real life’s north star is the big hairy audacious goal you’re striving for. Not just this month, this quarter, or even this year.

We’re talking lifetime achievements.

A few questions to get your mind turning:

• Imagine yourself on your deathbed. What made your life worth living?
• What are your core values? And how do they align with a mission?
• What do you feel is your purpose on Earth?

Without a north star, you’ll get lost and wander aimlessly through life. Merely surviving instead of striving for more, better, happier.

This is an important step you should not skip.

Step 4: Build your laser-focused tribe

You’re the average of the five people you spend the most time with. It’s cliché but true.

The people you surround yourself with influence you in both good and bad ways.

So while you upgrade yourself, upgrade your network too. It sounds strange but has a crazy impact on your life’s trajectory.

Here are two groups of people you should aim to spend more time with:

• People who already have your dream life and inspire you
• Peers who want a similar life and motivate you

You know what kind of person you want to be. Now it’s time to find others who will help you get there.

Build your tribe and watch yourself naturally soak up their go-getter attitude.

P.S. I’m lucky enough to call these amazing people my friends. This was from a surprise birthday weekend for our friend Neville’s birthday. You might recognize some “internet celebrities” from like Sam Parr, Noah Kagan, Neville Medhora, and party genius Nick Gray.

Now what do I do?

In short, makes the mindset shift from consumption to production.

Instead of watching Netflix all day, create a short film. Instead of buying a new outfit, make one. Instead of reading a book, write one.

When you start creating, you’ll realize a few magical things: You’ll learn new skills. You’ll meet new people. You’ll open the doors to new opportunities.

It’s this new mindset of living proactively that will push you to become the best version of yourself and achieve excellence.

Ready, player one.