The Super Mario Effect: How Games can Teach Us to Keep Trying
When we think of classic video games, Mario is often the first name that comes to mind. The pint-sized plumber has been jumping, running, and battling his way through Mushroom Kingdom for over three decades now. But did you know that the principles behind the iconic game can actually teach us about grit, perseverance, and success? In this blog post, we’re going to explore the concept of the Super Mario Effect and how it can be applied to real-life situations.
What is the Super Mario Effect?
The Super Mario Effect is a theory coined by Mark Rober, a former NASA engineer and now science communicator. Simply put, it’s the idea that we’re more likely to persist through challenges if we view ourselves as characters in a video game. Rober came up with this theory after observing how gamers play; even when they repeatedly fail a level, they’ll keep trying until they eventually succeed. They don’t give up, because they know that each failure brings them one step closer to achieving their goal.
How Does the Super Mario Effect Work?
The Super Mario Effect works by reframing our perspective on the challenges we face. Instead of seeing them as insurmountable obstacles, we view them as part of the journey we need to take to reach our goals. Think about it: when you play a video game, the entire point is to overcome obstacles and progress to the next level. Each time you encounter a new challenge, you figure out a new strategy to overcome it. You don’t give up and walk away from the game; you keep playing until you beat it. When we apply this same mindset to real-life situations, we’re more likely to persist through challenges and eventually achieve our goals.
Applying the Super Mario Effect to Real Life
So how can we use the Super Mario Effect in practical ways? Here are some examples:
Embrace Failure
In video games, failure is just part of the process. When you first start playing a game, you’re going to fail a lot. But you learn from each failure, and eventually, you start to make progress. This same principle applies to real life. If you don’t try in the first place, you won’t be able to learn from your mistakes, and therefore, you won’t be able to achieve success.
Break Down Goals into Achievable Steps
Just like in a video game, we can’t tackle a big goal all at once. We need to break it down into smaller, achievable steps. For example, if your goal is to run a marathon, you’re not going to be able to do it overnight. But you can create a training plan, and focus on each step of the plan along the way. This will eventually lead you to reach your overall goal.
Reframe Your Perspective
When a video game character dies, it’s not “game over”. Instead, it’s an opportunity to try again, but with a new strategy in mind. Similarly, if we fail at something in real life, we can reframe our perspective to view it as an opportunity to try a new approach. Failure is feedback, not defeat.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can the Super Mario Effect help me achieve any kind of goal?
Yes, the Super Mario Effect can be applied to any goal, big or small. Whether you’re trying to learn a new language, write a book, or even start a business, the principles behind the Super Mario Effect can help you persist through challenges and eventually achieve success.
Are video games a waste of time?
While playing video games for hours on end can be detrimental, there are benefits to gaming that shouldn’t be ignored. Video games can help with problem-solving skills, hand-eye coordination, and stress relief. And if we apply the Super Mario Effect to our lives, we can use gaming principles to achieve real-life success.
Is the Super Mario Effect just a theory?
While the Super Mario Effect hasn’t been scientifically proven, it’s based on principles of human psychology and game theory.
Conclusion
Whether you’re a gamer or not, the Super Mario Effect can teach us all a valuable lesson about perseverance and grit. By reframing our perspective, embracing failure, and breaking down our goals into achievable steps, we can persist through challenges and eventually achieve success. So the next time you face a seemingly insurmountable obstacle, just remember: you’re the hero in your own video game. Keep trying, and eventually, you’ll complete the level.