Keeping motivated for League of Legends

 

Motivation is easy to keep when you do what you love. That’s something I’ve been told countless times, and I have to disagree. There are days when it’s easier to wake up and tell yourself, “I’m gonna keep a positive attitude in today’s matches no matter what”, and there are other days where it’s super hard to maintain focus and just play. Just like in life, your performance in League of Legends is affected by your personal life at home, school, work, and also by your social life.

Personally, keeping motivated for League is something I struggle with on a monthly basis. There are days when I can be climbing ladder really well, and all of a sudden I lose like 18 out of the next 20 matches. Days when I’m super stressed because of school or home life, I tend to perform the worse, and am more prone to flame or be salty. Days like these, I often stop playing and ponder on the question, “Why do I even play this game?”. The answer to this question is easy, but hard to remember during grey days. I love this game, and I’m sure many of you reading this do to. The adrenaline and the ecstasy that come out of a baron steal, a penta kill, an exciting team fight, are feelings I haven’t felt anywhere but in this game.

Things to do when unmotivated:

Watch popular player’s stream or montages from your favorite character.

Living in the 21st century allows us not only play this fascinating game, but also to watch others play. People upload hundreds of montages and streams to Youtube and Twitch to show off, tach, and simply share their works. I usually look at Hi I’m Gosu, who has some really sick adc videos, and Gbay99, who creates some of the best league (non-champion) guides out there.

Keep a list of goals

Not only good League advice, but also life advice. If you want to achieve a certain score on a test, write it down, and keep looking at that least once a day. Your goals don’t have to be huge like reaching Challenger by the end of the month. Start with small things like trying to get 70-100 CS by minute 10, or not giving away first blood or a kill to your enemies. Keep it simple.

Remind yourself why you enjoy League of Legends

Just like I said a few paragraphs back, reminding myself about how much I love this game is what has kept me playing all these years. People can learn a lot about themselves when they reflect on why they do certain things. You can have as much of a complex answer as you want, or as simple as I love this game. Anything to keep you motivated.

Remind yourself that you’re not here to impress others

You don’t play to make 9 new friends every match, you play to become a better player. If you forget about the win or loss and focus on who you are as a player, you will find yourself winning more. By putting winning aside, you focus on your own mechanical abilities and actions per minute, and by improving on your own, you eventually will find yourself stomping your lane.

Celebrate your achievements

Doesn't matter if your achievement may seem as small as leaving Bronze V. Always celebrate victories, but don't settle down for mediocre. Be cheerful, enjoy, and buy yourself a treat, maybe a soda or a skin, anything that will help you feel strong about this challenge you overcame. 

I’m not saying that by following this list you will be best player NA or EU or whatever, I’m simply trying to remind players out there who may feel unmotivated or down at times, that if you really want something, you can do it. No one is instantaneously good at anything. You will meet players who will call you trash, who will bash you out, and who will intentionally harass you. Don’t let them get to you. There is always a mute button and a new day at dawn.