Finding the right game to play in

I tweeted this out yesterday:

Overrated: Hard work

Underrated: Finding the right game to play in

(Average execution + right game) > (excellent execution + someone else’s game)

I really believe in it.

Yes hard work might be overrated because of expectations of linear rewards, and underrated because it’s uncommon. But it’s not about managing your expectations and sticking to it for a decade, because even if you did that you might still not win if you’re in the wrong game.

Finding the right game to play in is more important than hard work and hustling, more critical for success. An average idea with average execution in the right game would do far better than excellent idea with excellent execution in someone else’s game.

In the right game, being average is already excellent!

So the question begging to be asked is: How do I find the right game for myself?

Someone asked me that:

Hustle culture made us believe hard work is enough.

It’s not.

You have to be in the right place.

My question is: how do I find the right game?

– @clairelowrites

I suspect it’s related to this 4 conditions in this

It’s a play on the ikigai diagram, but I adapted it to suit us indie hackers and creators:

• Business viability - you can get paid for it, and people are willing to pay
• User desirability - what the world desires, solves a painpoint for users
• Maker enjoyability - what I personally enjoy making, a problem I’m passionate about
• Technical feasibility - I’m competent enough and uniquely positioned to accomplish it

These 4 conditions are still relatively broad, and there’s a lot more details that need to go in to find the right game for oneself, but it’s a start. Some observations and guesses on what other indicators there might be to know you’re in the right game:

• You defined the category, no matter how small/niche.
• You’re setting your own rules in the game, and others are copying you, playing by your rules.
• You’re having too much fun while making money.
• You’re operating within the optimum ratio of competency versus unknown.
• You’re growing and learning a lot in the process.
• You’re able to operate as your authentic self, and your customers pay you for that.
• You feel a growing sense of joy, purpose and clarity that this is what you do.
• You’re totally in your element while playing the game. Flow, deep work comes easily.

Any other possible signals I missed?

The next question begging for an answer is: Have I found my game yet?

But isn’t writing and personal development the right game for you?

– @PeterHolzer16

That’s a good question from Peter.

The thing is, I don’t find myself going “Hell yeah!” when it comes to writing for creators and personal development. It’s what I do, I enjoy it, I’m getting good at it, and it seems to solve something (though probably more as a vitamin than a painkiller). It’s my game for now, but I’m not totally sure to be honest…

I see folks like @levelsio, @yongfook, and I see them operating in their element. And they are being rewarded for it. I’m not feeling like I’m in my element, and the (low) revenue is an indicator.

The good thing is, I could be just one product away from that.

And that makes me feel optimistic about the future.