Self-belief is the foundation of personal growth and success. It’s the confidence that pushes you to face challenges, overcome obstacles, and achieve your goals. For me, gaming became an unexpected teacher of this vital skill.
Starting with World of Warcraft and moving into leadership roles in online gaming communities, I gradually built my self-belief. Each step—from cautiously playing as a mage to leading gaming clans—taught me how perseverance and patience turn doubt into confidence.
Here’s how gaming shaped my belief in myself and how those lessons now influence my life.
Starting Small – Choosing the Easiest Path to Build Confidence
When I began playing World of Warcraft (WoW), I felt unsure about my abilities. The game’s vast world and many challenges seemed overwhelming at first. To start safely, I chose the mage class. It was simple to play and helped me ease into the game.
As I leveled up, I began to understand the mechanics. Those early wins, though small, gave me confidence. They also laid the foundation for bigger challenges later. Looking back, I see how starting small wasn’t a weakness—it was a practical way to grow. This taught me that manageable steps are often the best way to build confidence.
Embracing Challenges – Learning to Kite as a Frost Mage
Once I felt comfortable, I wanted to push myself further. That’s when I learned to kite as a frost mage. This skill required precision and quick thinking. I froze and slowed mobs while attacking from a distance, all without letting them overwhelm me.
To my surprise, I learned the technique quickly. I started small, pulling only a few mobs at a time. Gradually, I began handling larger groups. Eventually, I could manage massive mobs with ease.
Other players sometimes stopped to watch me kite groups of enemies. Their encouragement boosted my confidence. This experience taught me that breaking challenges into smaller steps makes them less intimidating. It also showed me that growth happens faster than expected when you practice consistently.
Leveling Up – Taking on the Hunter Class
With my confidence as a mage growing, I decided to try a more complex class: the hunter. At the time, hunters were known for being tricky to play. They required players to control their pets, manage attacks, and avoid accidentally disrupting the team.
In group dungeons, hunters risked pulling the next set of mobs before the group was ready. Managing this required fast reflexes to stop your attacks and prevent your pet from running off. At first, this felt overwhelming.
However, I applied what I had learned as a mage. By practicing in small steps and focusing on progress, I slowly mastered the hunter. This reinforced my belief that I could handle challenges, even when they seemed daunting at first.
Facing the Ultimate Test – Becoming a Tank
After mastering both the mage and hunter classes, I decided to take on the hardest role in World of Warcraft: the tank. Tanks are critical to any group. They protect teammates, control enemies, and lead the team through the dungeon.
At first, the responsibility felt enormous. As a tank, I had to know every dungeon layout, predict enemy movements, and keep my team alive under pressure. Despite my nerves, I reminded myself to take it one step at a time.
During this time, I also learned how to deal with criticism. Sometimes, players blamed me for problems I couldn’t control, such as someone else pulling mobs too early. I realized that many of these complaints came from a lack of understanding. Instead of taking it personally, I focused on improving my skills and leading my group effectively.
Over time, I became a confident tank. By proving to myself that I could handle this challenging role, I strengthened my belief in my own abilities.
Beyond the Game – Leadership and Community Building
The confidence I gained as a tank carried over into other parts of my gaming life. Soon, I found myself stepping into leadership roles. In World of Warcraft, I helped run a guild. I organized events, supported team dynamics, and built connections among players.
This experience prepared me for an even bigger challenge: co-running a Call of Duty: Black Ops clan with my husband, SighFye. What began as a small group grew into a gaming clan with over 120 members across multiple games. Managing such a large and diverse group required organization, communication, and leadership skills.
Through this, I learned an important lesson. Leadership isn’t about being the best player. Instead, it’s about supporting and empowering others to succeed. Leading these communities reminded me that stepping outside your comfort zone can lead to incredible opportunities.
Translating Gaming Lessons to Everyday Life – The Twitch Streaming Journey
The lessons I learned in gaming didn’t stay there. They gave me the courage to try something new: Twitch streaming. At first, the idea of broadcasting myself live felt intimidating. Would people watch? Would they care?
But I used the same approach I had learned in games. I started small and practiced consistently. Over time, I grew more comfortable engaging with my audience and sharing my experiences.
Streaming is now a source of pride for me. It’s a reminder of how far I’ve come. The skills I built in gaming—resilience, adaptability, and confidence—helped me succeed in this new challenge. If you’re curious about mastering your emotions and maintaining balance while chasing goals, check out this guide on mastering emotions and achieving wellbeing.
Additionally, practicing in games has taught me valuable lessons about persistence and improvement. From learning creative skills to building confidence, I’ve applied those lessons to many areas of my life. You can read more about how practicing in games improved my life.
Key Lessons Gaming Taught Me About Self-Belief
- Start Small and Build Confidence
Starting with simple goals, like playing a mage, helped me build confidence step by step. - Take on Challenges Incrementally
Breaking big challenges into smaller tasks made them manageable, as I learned with kiting. - Don’t Take Unrealistic Expectations Personally
As a tank, I focused on improving myself instead of letting unfair criticism hold me back. - Adapt and Learn
Playing a hunter showed me how persistence and patience lead to growth. - Celebrate Progress
From kiting mobs to leading clans, I learned to recognize and appreciate my achievements. - Leadership Builds Confidence
Helping others succeed in a guild or clan strengthened my belief in my ability to lead.
Share Your Story
Have your hobbies or passions taught you life-changing lessons? I’d love to hear about them! Share your story in the comments. If you’re interested in seeing how I apply these lessons, join us on Twitch for gaming, conversations, and more. Let’s create a community that supports self-belief and growth!
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