2025-12-18 09:00
Let’s be honest, we’ve all had that grand, shimmering goal that feels as distant and complex as the final chapter of an epic saga. We call it a dream, a vision, a “Jili” of our own making—a term I like to use for that perfect, idealized version of a goal we hold in our minds. Achieving it can seem as daunting as picking up a sprawling, lore-heavy game series where you don’t know where to begin. I’ve been there, both in life and in my gaming hobby. The key, I’ve found, is to reframe the journey. Don’t stare up at the mountain’s peak; look for the first, manageable trailhead. This is where the wisdom from an unexpected source—video game design—offers a brilliant parallel. Consider the recent faithful remake of a classic RPG’s first chapter. Reviewers noted that if the initial installment feels a bit lighter and less complex than its later iterations, that’s entirely in keeping with the spirit of the original game as the beginning of an epic saga. That’s a profound metaphor for goal-setting. Your first step shouldn’t be a master’s thesis or a fully-funded startup; it should be the accessible, welcoming “remake” of your dream. If you've always wanted to experience the wonder of a massive undertaking but didn't know where to start, then there are no excuses. Designing a simple, definitive, and engaging beginning is the only way to begin that long and winding trail.
I apply this principle to my own projects. Say my “Dream Jili” is writing a novel. The old me would have tried to outline the entire trilogy immediately, gotten overwhelmed by the complexity, and quit. Now, I start with what I call the “Chapter 1 Remake.” I give myself permission for that first phase to be lighter, to focus on nailing the tone and introducing the core characters without the pressure of every future plot twist. This creates momentum, which is everything. It builds the habit and the confidence needed for the more complex work ahead. You can’t run a marathon without first enjoying a few easy jogs. The data on habit formation backs this up—studies, like those referenced in James Clear’s Atomic Habits, suggest that starting with a task so easy you can’t say no increases adherence by roughly 75% in the first month compared to aiming too high. You’re essentially coding success into your process from the very first line.
But here’s where the journey gets interesting, and another gaming analogy becomes powerfully relevant. Progress is never a straight, predictable line. Achieving your Dream Jili often requires a fundamental shift in your capabilities or mindset, a transformation that might feel as dramatic as a genre shift in a sequel. Take the example of Dying Light: The Beast. On the surface, it wouldn’t seem to make sense to call it a more grounded game than its predecessors. It’s a game where you unleash incredible power. Yet, critically, beyond that flashy feature, the experience actually leans further into horror and survival mechanics. The power you gain doesn’t simplify the game; it deepens it, forcing you to engage with its systems in a new, more intense way. This mirrors the “middle chapter” of your goal pursuit. You’ve built basic skills, and now you acquire a new, potent tool—perhaps a professional certification, a powerful software, or a key network connection. This isn’t an “instant win button.” In my experience, that new capability actually raises the stakes. When I learned advanced data analytics, it didn’t make my reports easier; it made them more complex and demanding, because I could see deeper problems and more sophisticated solutions. It made the work more fun and engaging, precisely because it was more challenging. It became, to borrow the phrase, the most fun I’d had with that particular skill to date. The growth itself becomes the reward.
So, how do you stitch this all together into a coherent strategy? First, define your Dream Jili with vivid clarity, but then immediately deconstruct it. Isolate the “Chapter 1” version—a minimal viable product, a prototype, a first draft. Make starting this so frictionless it feels almost trivial. Celebrate completing that. Then, as you move into the next phase, actively seek out the “power-up” that will change your engagement with the work, whether it’s a new skill, a mentor, or a tool. Embrace that it will make things more complex, not less. This layered approach, moving from accessible entry to transformative depth, is what sustains momentum over the long haul. I’m personally hoping for swift follow-ups in my own projects, just as fans hope for the next remake in a series. The journey to unlock your Dream Jili isn’t about a single, heroic effort. It’s about smart, staged design: a welcoming beginning that builds inevitable momentum, followed by strategic evolution that keeps the core challenge fresh and compelling. Start simple, embrace the transformative complexity that follows, and keep your eyes on the trail ahead. The view from each new vantage point is worth it.