6. Finding your Reward
Itoi What's something you keep in mind when you're trying to find a new potential in someone?
Iwata There are those things that you can continue doing, and those that you end up quitting. For example, I think everyone has tried to become fluent in English, at least once in their life.
Itoi Definitely. (laugh)
Iwata But often times, you end up quitting.
Itoi It's like, "Heck with English!"
Iwata I think there's an important point in this. It's something I've found out when designing video games. There are two types of games, those that you toss instantly, and those that you continue playing. It's not a matter of how fine the game is made, or the essential excitement of the game. In my opinion, this has something in common with whether or not you can continue a variety of other habits.
Itoi I'd love to hear more about this.
Iwata If the reward that you receive is worth more than the effort and energy you put in, people don't quit. If it's the other way around, people feel discouraged. This applies to those games you continue playing, or being able to keep on studying English.People put in energy such as time, labor, or money. The feedback you receive is your reward.
Itoi I see.
Iwata This is why you become good at what you like. Artists draw paintings, and people compliment it. Through that cycle, he/she progresses. As for me, knowing more about computers makes it more interesting. For you, you find what's interesting, and you get involved with it. When you feel accepted, you feel a kind of pleasant stimulation, and you get better at it. Being able to establish this cycle is in fact probably his or her talent. I believe that talent is thus the ability to find your reward.
Itoi So being talented is about "feeling the excitement of accomplishment", and not "just accomplishing".
Iwata I think so. Finding your reward with your inner "circuit that responds to rewards".
Itoi I see.
Iwata Some people are so close to finding that reward, but their circuit may not be active. Their circuit can turn on with some advice, or just by simply telling them to "keep on trying three more times." A positive cycle begins when your circuit is turned on, when you feel that the reward you receive is worth more than the energy put in.
Itoi Just like you said, "Your strength lies in those areas where you are highly evaluated, even if you don't think you've put in extreme effort."
Iwata Being able to find that reward is a gift itself. Furthermore, I think those people who can continue doing what people don't like, or what may be too tiresome for others, are those people you call a genius. This is something I found through my relationship with you and with Mr. Miyamoto.
Itoi Hmmm.
Iwata It's not easy to do something for a long time. First of all, its' tiring, plus you never know if you'll receive something in return. However, for some people, there's no pain in doing it. Those are the people who can win. You're lucky if you have found it. You've found your talent.
Itoi I've also been thinking about rewards and pleasure. There are two types of pleasure, there's the normal pleasure, and there are those that feel stimulus.
Iwata Ah!
Itoi There's that pleasure that's stimulus, just like when you're receiving Shiatsu massage, that "Ouch, it hurts but it feels good" type of pleasure. When you can keep on working in that kind of area, you can become a genius. Rewards don't only come in forms of sweets or good food or money.
Iwata (laughing) I know what you mean.
Itoi It's sort of masochistic. It's good, it hurts, but it's good, and only I know the pleasure of this.
Iwata Rewards aren't just sweets or snacks.
Itoi Enterprises give money or positions or vacations as a clear form of reward. Those rewards are limitless, and you have to keep giving more of it. There's no drama to it. I'd rather see more drama. Drama lies even within our senses. Sometimes the sour, salty, hot flavor tastes good.
Iwata Like, "this tanginess is delicious."
Itoi Exactly. There's those hidden flavors that stimulates us. When you're the only one that feels that way, you're in a good spot.
Iwata The things you think you're good at, your reward circuit is definitely active.
Itoi Yes.
Iwata When you've found something like that, you expand your capabilities. Your circuit responds to other related stimulation. You find yourself talented in other areas. As for me, I keep finding how management is similar to designing software.
Itoi I see what you mean.
