6 Ways Coaching Is Like a Video Game
I named my coaching practice Reset ADHD because of video games. When I was a kid and playing N64 with my brother, he would always cream me. By halftime of whatever sports game we were playing, the game would be out of hand, and I would want to quit. In his manipulative-big-brother way, he would convince me to keep playing, saying something to the effect of “Maybe it’ll get better in the second half.” It would not get better in the second half, and I would begin to eye the reset button on the N64. This would start the game over, and the progress of the game would be lost. In my mind, if the game did not end, I did not lose. All I wanted was a fresh start. That’s what I give my coaching clients, an opportunity to start again. Over my years of coaching, I have noticed several ways coaching and video games are similar.
1.) Power-Ups
In video games, you have the ability to unlock power-ups. These aid your play and allow you to have a better chance at success. Similarly, coaching helps you identify new tools and strategies to use in your journey toward learning how to work with your brain, not against it. These tools and strategies are the power-ups of the ADHD world.
2.) Multiplayer
Video games give you the ability to team up with other players. In co-operative games, you are able to take on the challenge together and win together. The same is true for coaching. By teaming up with a coach, you are able to take on challenges with a teammate.
3.) Open World
Exploration is a huge part of video games. You have an open world to explore and can go anywhere. The same is true in coaching. ADHD affects all areas of life, so nothing is really out of bounds. You get to choose where coaching goes.
4.) Character Selection
When playing a video game, you have the ability to select the character you want. This is the WHO aspect of the video game. Coaching allows you the opportunity to reflect on your real-life WHO, who you want to be in the world.
5.) Respawning
When you start over in a video game, you respawn. You return to where you started before and get to start again. There is a similar concept in coaching. You see, coaching is not about winning and losing; it is about winning and learning. When you pick a strategy to try and it does not work out, it is not game over; it is time to respawn and try again with a different strategy.
6.) Pause Button
Video game controllers have a pause button. This is helpful when you need to take a break. Sometimes, pausing and taking a breath is helpful while playing a video game and in life. Coaching allows you to pause, take a breath, and strategize. This makes living with ADHD easier. Coaching helps you build up the pause muscle in your life and gives you a chance to consider the best strategies and tools for moving forward.