In my last post, I suggested that there may be some utility in viewing our lives like those of video game characters.

Funny thought, I know.

In video games, you usually cannot take on the tougher battles and puzzles until you have gained experience and leveled up your character’s skills and abilities.

I think that real life is much the same.

In fact, I remember playing the “SIMS” once – a simulator game where you live the life of your character and make decisions about work, finances, social life, etc. After hours of playing, I realized that my ‘virtual life’ was better than my real life! I stopped playing immediately and started trying to make my real life as awesome as the virtual one.

Whenever we gain a new skill, achievement, or ability in life, it’s a lot like leveling up. Our early years are loaded with these level-ups. Learning to talk, walk, feed and dress ourselves. Then we learn to ride a bike and read. Each of these achievements expand our ability to take on new challenges and go to new places.

Learning to drive opens up the world even further. We might invest in our education or pursue a special relationship.

Our lives are full of these ‘up-grades.’

Unfortunately, once we hit a certain level that we feel content with, many of us will stop ‘leveling-up.’ We stop learning new skills. We stop pushing ourselves or putting ourselves in positions where we are forced to learn and grow. Many people become a bit apathetic in life and feel like they don’t have much of a purpose.

If that’s you, maybe you can take some inspiration from the video game world. Take on something new. Put yourself in a new and uncomfortable environment that forces you to grow and learn. Think of it as a ‘leveling-up’ adventure. I think you’ll really enjoy it.