Julianna FriskOnline games can be a lot of fun but when they don’t go your way, they can also be a little demotivating. When you’re demotivated, you tend to stop, which is fair. But if you really enjoy a game but get too easily frustrated at small mistakes this approach can really spoil the whole experience. This is where a bit of positivity can come into play (excuse the pun). All you have to do is practice some positive thinking and then you can get much more out of your online gaming sessions.
It might be a little tricky to start with, to suddenly be super positive but taking this approach can benefit your gaming, especially if you’re playing on real money games where every bit of positivity can be useful. Below are a few ways that you can stay positive when you engage in digital games.
Remember Why You Started Playing
It’s easy to forget why you picked up a game in the first place. Most people start playing online games because they enjoy the challenge, the social aspect or simply the escape from their everyday lives.
But when frustration hits, it can feel really tricky not to just throw in the towel and leave it all behind. If you’re about to reach a new level of a game, though and you just give up, you won’t get very far, will you? Or if you’re playing a new kind of game, like sports betting, for example and you don’t yet know all the jargon and terminology and this demotivates you, well, then you’re never really going to ever start properly placing a bet, now are you? Nor are you going to have the patience to find a reliable sports betting site.
Just because you’re far away from the action, for example, if you’re in Malawi and you want to place a malawi bet, you should take the time to sit down and find those bets that work for your needs, such as sites that accept your location. Just make sure that you always engage with a reputable and reliable site.
Set Realistic Expectations Before You Log In
One of the quickest ways to kill your mood is to expect every session to go perfectly. Online games are unpredictable by nature. You’re dealing with other players, matchmaking systems and sometimes pure randomness. That’s just the nature of gaming. The randomness can sometimes throw you off but it can also sometimes make things a lot more interesting. Just go in with a clear mind about how you want things to be but within reason and then try to be flexible as you can be. Don’t be too rigid but also don’t be too hopeful, find a happy medium.
Take Breaks Before Frustration Takes Over
Grinding through frustration rarely leads to better results. If you notice yourself getting irritated, tense or distracted, that’s usually a sign it’s time to step away, even if only for a few minutes. Short breaks can help more than you think, so remember to stand up and stretch, grab some water or a snack, step outside for fresh air or switch to a different game mode or activity. Coming back with a clearer head often improves both your mood and your performance, which will only work to your benefit.
Focus on What You Can Control
Online games come with plenty of things you can’t control, like teammates’ decisions, opponent skill levels or connection issues. Dwelling on those factors only adds to the frustration.
Shifting focus to what you can control makes a big difference:
- Your attitude and reactions
- How you communicate with others
- Your effort and decision-making
- How you respond to losses
Celebrate Small Wins and Progress
It’s easy to focus only on big achievements like rankings or win streaks but that can make the journey feel discouraging. Paying attention to smaller victories helps balance things out.
Small wins might look like pulling off a new move or strategy, making fewer mistakes than last time or even just holding your own against stronger players. These moments add up over time and remind you that improvement doesn’t always show up on the scoreboard.
Keep Perspective on Wins and Losses
In the heat of the moment, a loss can feel personal. Taking a step back helps put things into perspective. One bad game doesn’t erase your skills and one great game doesn’t define you either.
Try to remember every player loses, even the best ones, online games are designed to challenge you and losing is part of the learning curve. Keeping this perspective makes it easier to bounce back and enjoy the next match.
Balance Gaming With Other Activities
When online games become the only thing you do in your free time, it’s harder to stay positive. Losses feel bigger and stress builds faster. Mixing gaming with other hobbies helps maintain balance. Try not to make gaming your sole focus, keep up with your other hobbies and that should be fine.
Staying Positive Is a Skill You Build
Staying positive while playing online games doesn’t happen overnight. It’s a skill that develops with awareness and practice. By setting realistic expectations, managing your environment and focusing on growth instead of perfection, you give yourself the space to enjoy the game for what it is.
Julianna Frisk
