Why It’s Okay To Fail: Several CEOs and Geeks Offer Advice on How They Found Success
Monday, 11th June 2012Posted in Blog Archive, Online Video
Tags: advice, bit.ly, David Tisch, failure, lceo, Nasdaq, OK Cupid, Peter Stern, Sam Yagan, startup, Tech Stars
Written by: Jeff Nau
Follow @jeffnau
Ever wonder how some of most powerful geeks of all time became famous so (seemingly) fast? Yes, sometimes we’re prone to want to hate on overnight sensations, but as this handy little video reveals, though, it’s never as easy as it looked.
It also shows, there is no such a thing as an overnight sensation.
In fact, it’s usually littered with years upon years of failure, the better part of a decade. Continue reading “Why It’s Okay To Fail: Several CEOs and Geeks Offer Advice on How They Found Success” »
Ask Jace: How Do You Make Friends in America?
Friday, 9th December 2011Posted in Ask Jace, Blog Archive, Keeping it Real
Tags: advice, bullying, food for thought, inspiring, making friends, motivation
Written by: Jace Hall
I get a lot of questions from fans of the Jace Hall Show ranging from breaking into the gaming industry to 1337 secrets on living the gamerlife.
I do read EVERY e-mail that is sent my way by fans and try to respond to as many questions as time permits. With the volume of e-mails, it is just not possible for me to answer them all, even though I do MY BEST TO TRY! If you ever want to send me a quick message on Twitter, as many of you who follow me already know, I am VERY active and can respond to your messages on there as well.
Please feel free to submit your questions using this link and I hope you enjoy the response below! Continue reading “Ask Jace: How Do You Make Friends in America?” »
Fall Down. Get Back Up. Do it All Over Again.
Saturday, 12th March 2011Posted in Blog Archive, Keeping it Real
Tags: advice, fall down get back up, inspiring, motivation
Written by: Paul Nyhart
Everything that I needed to know in life I learned from playing high school football. Some of you may have put on the pads when you were in school, other may have no interest in the sport whatsoever.
It doesn’t really matter which category you fall into. The essence of what football teaches you applies to everyone: Fall down. Get back up. Do it all over again.
I had this football coach that used to yell at me for seemingly no good reason…well that’s not entirely true—I wasn’t very good at football. The mere fact that I was lousy, in his eyes, gave him the right to yell at me like I just put hot spaghetti on his car windshield in freezing cold weather. Continue reading “Fall Down. Get Back Up. Do it All Over Again.” »
A New Year and a New Resolve…
Tuesday, 4th January 2011Posted in Blog Archive
Tags: advice, Jace Hall Secrets, keys to success, nerd, truth, V
Written by: Jace Hall
Greetings.
- Just another version of me…
As the New Year begins I have decided to make a concerted effort at updating this website with more regular thoughts and articles than I have done in the past.
As the Jace Hall Show and other productions I am involved with continue to grow in popularity, I am finding that more and more people seem to have interest in who I am and what I might have to say about different topics.
It has gotten to the point where I simply cannot meaningfully respond to every e-mail and Facebook message I receive, and that is disappointing for me because I actually do want to answer everyone and provide whatever thought or insight I can to help.
All that being said, I don’t care if it turns out no one reads this blog, or finds it interesting. I am writing this blog for me. I am writing this blog because I think that there are some things in this world that I feel need to be said, yet no one is saying them exactly – so I will, over time, and I am starting now.
To be clear, I do not think or feel that I am special, super smart or better than anyone else. I don’t think that I am somehow entitled to pontificate from some lofty platform and tell other people what to do or think. However, one thing I do feel is an obligation to share whatever I have learned to whomever might be interested, so that they may benefit from it, or add to it, or help educate me further by showing me a different perspective.
t I think the best way to kick off my new effort on this website is to simply tell you who I am in the simplest terms I can so you can decide for yourself if you have any interest in hearing what I have to say.
Obviously, it’s easy to look me up on Wikipedia or IMDB or whatever. Most (not all) of what you see there is reasonably accurate and gives you a general idea of my work accomplishments – which is fine – but that is my work, not who I am.
Here is who I am:
I grew up in a household with low income. My mother used food stamps, I had government assisted lunch tickets for school.
I have a younger sister (6 years) and a younger brother (15 years). We are all from different fathers.
I had no male role model.
My household contained violence and fear. I witnessed violent acts by the adults in my household between each other.
I was the recipient of unchecked, excessive, violent disciplinary acts.
I never fought back. I always did as I was told. My home was the least safe feeling place for me.
My defense was to stay in my room, keep out of the way, and live my life inside of comic books, movies, television shows, and computers/video games. These were things that the oppressive forces could not understand or take from me once they were in my mind.
I went to public school.
I was picked on. I was not cool. I played Dungeons and Dragons. I was “downloading” before anyone really knew what that was. I had crushes on girls, but never dared to speak to them.
I played sports when forced to. I would always tend to be picked for a team last.
I read books. I dreamed of cool concepts and ideas. I was not into school activities.
Few people paid attention to me.
No one ever gave me anything. I had no advantages. I had every excuse to fail. I was told that I could not do things by many people.
However, somewhere in all that, I became determined to accomplish. I decided that I would not accept the situation I was given, but instead I would change and take control of it. Unfortunately, I had no one to show me how.
Obviously, my life’s early story is longer and more detailed than what is written above, and perhaps one day I will detail it more – but for now it is sufficient to say that I am like most of you out there: not perfect, not taken care of, not from a fairy tale situation…
Now if you fast-forward from my past to today, and look at my accomplishments, you will see that I have been able to alter my life situation significantly and positively.
I’ve been involved in creating numerous successful business that have generated hundreds of millions of dollars in revenue.
I’ve created and produced all kinds of successful content spanning video games, film, television shows and online entertainment.
I have more than 15 years experience in executive management, running companies, building businesses, and operational management.
I know 4 different computer languages.
I’ve written and produced hit music! 
You can see the rest on IMDB… etc.
None of this was handed to me. No inside tracks. No family connections. Nothing.
I have been able to do all of this without lying, cheating, hurting others, compromising my integrity or personal honor. I trust people and people can trust me. My word is my bond. I have created companies, jobs, opportunities, and touched millions of lives of people in a positive way whom I will never meet. In fact, as I sit and write this, the second season of the ABC television show “V” will premiere in few hours, hopefully bringing some entertainment and joy to 10 million people for an hour – and this show would not exist on this day had I not existed.
I don’t say this stuff to pat myself on the back, I only say this stuff to offer you some semblance of my credibility to my blog posts.
All that being said – My goal with this blog is to entertain, educate, and share a dialog with people who are interested in doing so with me.
I will show you very specifically how to achieve your dreams and ambitions. I will give you some perspective based on my experiences that perhaps your parents, schools or friends have been unable to provide.
I will explain to you the ideas and philosophies that drive me as a person, and how I have been able to do what I have done.
Over time, through this blog I will share what I know, and it may help you understand that what you think may be impossible for yourself, is actually quite possible. I am living proof of this. I will only tell you the truth as I see it.
Because it is time that someone said SOMETHING.
I ask for nothing in return other than for you to share what you learn here with others when you have the time or inclination.
Until next time!
Oh, AND MAKE SURE YOU WATCH “V” !!!
Ask Jace: How I do it – Keys to Success Tip #1
Wednesday, 21st April 2010Posted in Ask Jace, Blog Archive
Tags: achievement, advice, Ask Jace, business advice, game design, goals, how to, Jace Hall Show, keys to success, motivation, winning
Written by: Jace Hall
I received this letter the other day and I wanted to answer it but share my response with everybody because I get a lot of e-mails that are very similar.
From: Cyrus
Subject: INSPIRED O.O by youu, sir.
Message Body:
FIRSTLY!
i wonder if jace hall actually reads this…if not i will sound lame. =]
MAINLY!
just wanted to say ive been inspired by you (if you’re actually reading which i doubt as you seem to be rich and famous and have no time for fans ‘SADFACE’)
Anyways, yeah my outlook on life has been that of generally to be successful you need to be hardworking and have little time for your life. But you’ve been the CEO of companies and produced massive amounts of games and still are able to be seemingly carefree and stay positive (not in the please dont commit suicide way, but in the life is wtfpwning amazing way….if you understand.)
TO THE POINT
As i am still in school i wanted to know what subjects to take (high school or university) that are related to the whole aspect of game designing…..because i am generally uninspired by school and enjoy playing wow too much -.-” but i am on the verge of an epiphany that will make me…work hard. SOUMUSTREPLY =]
PS im not crazy, just eccentric when it comes to writing letters. =]
PSS i REALLY hope you (jace hall) reply instead of an automated….computer thing..
Dear Cyrus,
First of all, YES, I do read and try to answer all the e-mail I get. Sometimes it takes me a while to get to it, but I really try to get to it all. No “automated….computer thing…” YET!
Now on to some answers.
Let me just say that it is an honor to hear that I inspire you. I appreciate you telling me that and although I don’t believe myself to be better than anyone else or in the business of trying to be “hey look at me I am all that,” it is always nice for any person to know that they are making a contribution to the world by inspiring someone else in a positive way. I am just glad that I am being moderately useful in some way! I am happy to be of service.
You mention that I seem to be rich and famous. Well, I can assure you that I am not rich by any stretch of the imagination. I still have to work, have a house payment and bills and etc. Yes, I have had some limited success but I still have a long way to go and would have to shift my focus if my desire was to become “money rich.”
While I am on the subject of “money rich” I’d like to offer a few thoughts.
I personally do not base my feelings of success or failure on pure economics. Some people do, and to each their own – but for me it is never about the sole pursuit of acquiring “money.” Certainly, what is worth doing is worth doing for money, but my life’s experience has taught me that the true value of one’s self-worth is not measured in gold pieces but in personal achievement instead.
There is nothing wrong with money. Obviously you need it to survive to a certain extent and that is ok. However, of the many people that I know who have more money than they can ever spend, few actually have positive feelings of self-worth. Quite the opposite actually and a lot of times this results in self-destructive behavior. Having lots of money can free up a lot of mental time, and people can use that mental time to hate themselves even more than they normally would. The image of having lots of money can seem to project that you can be happy and carefree, but I assure you that money alone doesn’t give you those things. So it is for these kinds of reasons, I simply do not pursue “having lots of money” as a sole goal.
Personal achievement, on the other hand, is nearly ALWAYS fulfilling. Money can come and go, people can forcibly take money from you, but personal achievement LASTS FOREVER.
It’s yours. Permanently. No one can take your achievements away from you. Your achievements are your truth and they will continue to pile up and build your self-esteem and help you feel your own self-worth and importance regardless of what others my think.
Personal achievement is one of the true values of life. And here is something to think about: Many people believe in some form of afterlife. Most of these beliefs revolve around a person somehow retaining their consciousness, essentially who they are, AFTER they die. If this is the case, then clearly the ONE THING YOU CAN TAKE WITH YOU AFTER YOU DIE ARE YOUR EXPERIENCES – SUCH AS YOUR PERSONAL ACHIEVEMENTS. So in my book, that makes something like personal achievements seem like a good investment (just in case.) One thing we all know for sure is that YOU CAN’T TAKE YOUR MONEY WITH YOU.
The best part about all this is that YOU decide what achievements you want to accomplish. There are no rules. There are no wrong answers. You just need to figure out what pursuits are important to you. You decide which things you enjoy doing and make you feel good. Then you just set some simple step by step goals and work toward them. That’s it.
And now for the biggest secret and most important point of all. PLEASE LISTEN TO ME ON THIS:
While it is important to set goals and work toward them you must NEVER measure yourself by whether or not you accomplish the goals you set.
What you must measure yourself by is whether or not you did your very best to TRY to accomplish them. It is CRITICAL that you understand the difference.
As long as you know that you are doing the best that you can to get to your goals, IT DOES NOT MATTER IF YOU ACTUALLY GET THERE. The personal achievement is ALWAYS IN THE EFFORT NOT IN THE RESULT. You will never feel bad about yourself if you truly know that you have been and are doing everything you can/could to reach your target.
The only time you will feel bad is if you know in your heart that you could have tried harder, and have a bunch of excuses. THAT is what kills you, not the fact that you didn’t achieve the end result.
So in summary, the basic goal you should have for all things you consider is this: JUST DO YOUR BEST. I MEAN REALLY DO YOUR BEST. If you do that, amazing things will happen for you – a lot of it will be unexpected awesome stuff. I promise. Remember, THE JOURNEY IS MORE IMPORTANT THAN THE DESTINATION IN ALL CASES.
I have written the long winded diatribe above in order to answer the next question you had for me. You tell me you are in school and you want to know what classes you should take to pursue a career in game design…
Most people would just tell you to take some set of standardized classes, pat you on the head and send you on your way, but I don’t want to do that. I want to teach you “how to fish” so you can eat for the rest of your life, instead of just “handing you a single fish” so you can eat for a day.
So here is my answer: It doesn’t matter what classes you take. Really. If you have an interest in game design, figure out what aspect of game design interests you most, set some simple goals that are interesting to you in that area (make them up!) and start doing your best to figure out how to get there and DO NOT STOP. There’s no formula. Buy a book, take whatever class you feel might apply, get some game that has an “editor” and start making maps. Grab a notepad and just start writing a design you believe in. All are stepping stones to your desired interest. Keep pursing it, step by step. You will get there. I promise – and if you don’t, as long as you keep giving it your ALL, you will not feel bad about it in any single way. There is no standard format to personal success other than doing your best at all times. That act alone instant makes your successful, every day.
There are no rules, only the limits of your own mind perceiving yourself trapped in some kind of pre-arranged societal program that everyone seems to buy into because they are told to and it seems easier – it’s not. Nothing worth having is easy to get. Prepare for pain and suffering and challenges and love every minute of it because when you look back you will realize that those are the fun parts!
Most people define themselves and their world by what they CAN’T do. Step one: Unlearn that. Define yourself by what you CAN do and know that you can do what you set your mind to. That is what I have always tried to do.
Case in point (I won’t get into the gritty details now but:) I had a less than stellar childhood, no money at all, and never took a computer class in my life – YET, I can program in BASIC, C, C++, MOS 6502, Motorola 6800 and Intel 8086 Assembly language. No classes, no teachers, just a desire for personal accomplishment in that area. If I can do that, ANYONE CAN.
Know this – He/She who is most determined in a battle will always eventually win no matter how strong the opposition.
Hope that helps!
-Jace
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