Almost time for 21 - Managing expectations
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So here we are again, waiting for the new installment of our favorite game. Even though I hesitated during previous years if I was going to buy the game at all (since MLBTS 18), this year there is no doubt in my mind whatsoever. I will buy MLBTS 21 and I will play many many hours, just like I always end up doing anyway.
With that being said, I have seen 0 live streams. I have played 0 minutes of tech test/alpha/beta whatever it is or was. I have shown 0 interest in anything MLBTS related other than the occasional Twitter post that showed up on my feed. And I'm happy about all of this, please allow me to explain why.
Most importantly, I learned throughout the years that frustration in this game has no correlation with winning or losing whatsoever. I've played countless competitve games in the last 5 years that were awesome and fun but ended up in a loss. On the other hand I've also played more games than I can count that were absolutely miserable and filled with frustration that netted me a W.
See, I always thought that being good at this game should get you somewhere - the better player should win 9 out of 10 times in my opinion. And being a competitive individual, I always strive to get better and work my way up the ranks. Which has worked to some extent, there is no denying that. But I held onto that thought for so long - and even though I have known a lot of succes throughout the years, whether it was in Ranked Seasons making deep WS runs and playing top players, or all the flawless runs in BR - one thing was always consistently present in some shape or form; frustration.
Frustration because I set my expectations wrong for all these years. Just take a look at Rebel whenever he's streaming. He's the undisputed #1 in the world and yet he never has fun while he's playing the game. Even when he hits a homerun it's usually something like "finally" or "about time I got rewarded". He's always complaining about everything going against him or going in favor of his opponent. Because in his mind - and he's probably not even wrong - he does almost everything right almost every time and yet it doesn't always have a good outcome. Rebel is not the only one who has adopted this mindset, even the most casual players act like this (can't count all the angry PSN messages from guys who couldn't hit a baseball with a bus).
So for this year I am taking on a completely new approach. I have managed my expectations. Starting this year I will give zero F's about wins, losses, records, batting averages and ERA's. I'm just gonna play baseball. And when I'm bored with it, I'll move on like I've always done anyway. Except this time it'll be without (a lot of) the frustration and hopefully with some more joy. If you recognize anything in what I've said, I recommend you do the same and live happier.
See you all on the diamond soon!
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I did that before and good for you. No sense being a try hard when it gets you nothing anyways. Games are supposed to be fun and above all, be a release from whatever you do normally. At least that's how I've always looked at them.
Easy to say though, a lot harder to put into practice. I hope 21 is the best for you.
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@rabid55wolverine said in Almost time for 21 - Managing expectations:
I did that before and good for you. No sense being a try hard when it gets you nothing anyways. Games are supposed to be fun and above all, be a release from whatever you do normally. At least that's how I've always looked at them.
Easy to say though, a lot harder to put into practice. I hope 21 is the best for you.
True, but I have put it into practice this year already since the second half of the game cycle. The quality of life of the game was questionable, but accepting that made my own quality of life a lot better.
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@raesone_psn said in Almost time for 21 - Managing expectations:
@rabid55wolverine said in Almost time for 21 - Managing expectations:
I did that before and good for you. No sense being a try hard when it gets you nothing anyways. Games are supposed to be fun and above all, be a release from whatever you do normally. At least that's how I've always looked at them.
Easy to say though, a lot harder to put into practice. I hope 21 is the best for you.
True, but I have put it into practice this year already since the second half of the game cycle. The quality of life of the game was questionable, but accepting that made my own quality of life a lot better.
Best way to do it, wish a lot more people would do the same.
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The less I care the better I play. The more frustrated you get - the more you lose focus.
I’m super guilty of being frustrated. Sometimes Into a game. With fully expecting not to care at all — and then a chain of events happens and I ask myself “why am I even playing this game”.
So it’s hard. To not get annoyed at this game.
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@a_perfectgame said in Almost time for 21 - Managing expectations:
The less I care the better I play. The more frustrated you get - the more you lose focus.
I’m super guilty of being frustrated. Sometimes Into a game. With fully expecting not to care at all — and then a chain of events happens and I ask myself “why am I even playing this game”.
So it’s hard. To not get annoyed at this game.
Absolutely the best way to play. Taking it seriously is the fastest track to misery.
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@a_perfectgame said in Almost time for 21 - Managing expectations:
The less I care the better I play. The more frustrated you get - the more you lose focus.
I’m super guilty of being frustrated. Sometimes Into a game. With fully expecting not to care at all — and then a chain of events happens and I ask myself “why am I even playing this game”.
So it’s hard. To not get annoyed at this game.
Well the way I see it, you probably still care too much about playing good or bad - hence the annoyance. If you can't make that mental shift, it probably won't change. And telling yourself is not the same as actually believing and feeling it. It's easier said than done, but that is truly how it works.
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@raesone_psn said in Almost time for 21 - Managing expectations:
I have managed my expectations.
I think this is my favorite post... ever. Seriously.
If you can't manage your expectations in this game, you shouldn't play. It will be too frustrating for you. Know your potential and your limitations. I will never go 12-0 in BR or probably never make WS. BUT... I still enjoy the game. I take pride being able to beat the guys who have the WS and 12-0 banners (once in a while). That's good enough for me. There's also a ton of stuff in this game to keep me happy from April 16th until... next March?
This sums up my place in MLBTS. And that's OK...
https://despair.com/collections/demotivators/products/potential
P.S. Substitute "Astronaut" with "12-0 BR".
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@raesone_psn said in Almost time for 21 - Managing expectations:
@a_perfectgame said in Almost time for 21 - Managing expectations:
The less I care the better I play. The more frustrated you get - the more you lose focus.
I’m super guilty of being frustrated. Sometimes Into a game. With fully expecting not to care at all — and then a chain of events happens and I ask myself “why am I even playing this game”.
So it’s hard. To not get annoyed at this game.
Well the way I see it, you probably still care too much about playing good or bad - hence the annoyance. If you can't make that mental shift, it probably won't change. And telling yourself is not the same as actually believing and feeling it. It's easier said than done, but that is truly how it works.
It’s true. but sometimes you feel like the game is just going through the motions and it doesn’t matter what your input is. So why even get annoyed? That’s kind of where I am with 20. It doesn’t annoy me I actually laugh because it’s funny.
When your input, attributes, matchup, and everything is in your favor and it’s just a line out when you really need a hit and you worked a perfect 3-2 count. So why even get annoyed the game is what it is.
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