How My Life Has Changed Since I Quit Playing Video Games

Samuel asked me this morning on YouTube how my life has changed since I’ve quit playing video games. Well, needless to say, it was the best decision of my life. Watch the video for the specifics:

Before I share with you how my life has changed since I’ve quit playing video games, first I want you to know that before I quit, my life was a complete mess:

I spent years battling depression, had low self-esteem, and struggled with feeling good enough. I was bullied at school and on my hockey teams so I didn’t have every many friends, the ones I did have held me back and I certainly didn’t know how to make new ones.

I lacked confidence, especially with women, was constantly in the “friend zone” and didn’t know how to become a “man.” I had dropped out of high school (twice) and never wanted to go to college. Don’t even get me started on my unstable job situation (which included pretending to have jobs to my parents…)

The one highlight in my life at the time was gaming, and although it wasn’t the problem, it was the bandaid. It’s what allowed me to numb myself and pretend my situation wasn’t as bad as it really was.

Eventually I came to a point where I realized I had an opportunity to try again, I had a chance to start a new life for myself, and with the help of a counselor I started doing just that.

I didn’t like not knowing how to make friends so I focused on learning how to improve my social skills.

It certainly hasn’t been easy but it’s been worth it, and the improvements in my life have come from little changes I’ve made.

Here are a few highlights of how my life has improved since I’ve quit playing video games:

I don’t share this to brag or to impress you, I share it to show you what’s possible. Life beyond video games can be remarkable if you commit to making it happen and follow the steps we outline at Game Quitters.

• I started my own business.
• I travel around the world (20+ countries to date.)
• I’ve spoken at TEDx not once but twice.
• I found a new passion (DJing).
• I have a world class social circle.

Most importantly, I’m happier than I’ve ever been, I’m able to live life in the present moment, I’m proud of who I am and how I show up every day, and I wake up every day excited to be alive and to live my life to the fullest.

But all of this didn’t just magically happen. It happened because I made a commitment and then took action to learn what I needed to learn to live the type of life I wanted to live. And I refused to settle for anything less.

Quitting video games is the start of a new journey, it’s the beginning of a new chapter in your life where you get to decide exactly what you want it to be. Step one is taking responsibility for it yourself.

I hope that helps and if you’re serious about taking your life to the next level, I want you to take the Game Quitters Challenge. This is a 30 day challenge I’ve designed intentionally with the latest scientific research to help you become the type of person you want to be, by developing skills in Courage, Discipline, Social Intelligence, Contribution and Tenacity.

It’s definitely my best work yet and I know you’ll get a ton of value from it. Take the challenge here.