Why Do You Like Being A GM? By Johnn Four

1. Dealing With Criticism
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Handling critique takes up many volumes of self-help and
management books on Amazon. If not handled well, it's
destructive and can kill enthusiasm faster than a total
party kill at the hands of flumphs.

If you are struggling with criticism of your GMing, here are
some basic tips:

* Don't let it get to you. Haha, that's easy for me to say,
right? However, being less sensitive to criticism is a
process and you can take action to overcome this GMing
block. It does take time, but keep at it.

The first step is to become determined that criticism won't
bother you. Write yourself a note to this affect and read it
often. Your sensitivity is a state of mind, an attitude, and
therefore in your control. Write this note now.

* Seperate the message from the messenger. Often,
sensitivity comes from the relationship you have with the
player providing the critique. The best thing you can do is
seperate what the person is saying from the person who's
saying it. Evaluate the message on it own terms, gain some
objectivity (which increases confidence) and use the
information provided to better yourself, if it applies.

* It's just information. It's feedback, but not necessarily
truth. You are receiving information, which deserves to be
processed, regardless of source, objectively. Note that the
information could be wrong or incomplete. It could be an
opinion that does not actually reflect the truth.

If you can make your first reaction to be moving into
objective and information processing and evaluation mode,
your GMing will improve and sensitivity to criticism will go
down.

* Quit reading into things. Don't look for more into the
message than what's there. Mind games with yourself causes
worry and stress, and erodes confidence. Use direct
communication (see below) to uncover and verify any
assumptions, hunches, or guesses you've made. In addition,
it's not fair to the folk providing you feedback - probably
with the best of intentions - that you read into things and
create baseless motives or hidden meanings into their well-
meaning words.

* Use direct communication. Be up front and honest with
people providing feedback. Ask questions until you
understand everything to your satisfaction. Don't let
unspoken words become seeds for doubt and GMing worry. Just
ask. Did you mean Y when you said X? Can you explain a bit
more on that point? Why do you think this? I didn't
understand point X, can you try explaining again?

* Take it on the chin. Adopt the attitude that you will get
criticism during life from many sources, often unrequested.
Sometimes they will be right, sometimes partially right, and
sometimes wrong. Actions do speak louder than words.
Improved GMing is the best response to criticism.

Your best bet, unless defending yourself or being defensive
will accomplish something positive, is to take all feedback,
assess it objectively, and match it up with your goal of
becoming a better GM.

Take it on the chin, thank them for their input (they cared
enough to provide it, after all) and then be determined to
take whatever positive actions you can to enjoy your hobby
even more and help your players do the same.

It's often easiest to say thanks, walk away, and return with
thoughts, ideas, and actions to improve your game at the
table.


2. Ask For Compliments
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If criticism is getting you down, ask for compliments as well.

* What did you like about last session?
* What was your favourite part about the last adventure?
* What do you think are my weaknesses and strengths as a GM?
* What could I improve upon? What did I do well last session?

Store compliments and positive feedback in a place where you
can re-read them when you're feeling uninspired, worried, or
down on your GMing.

My friend Murdock keeps game comment journals. He hands out
a comment book after every game and players write whatever
they like in there. He can go back and re-read all the
compliments he's received over the years anytime he needs
support from his friends.


3. Don't Ask For Feedback
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Another approach is to stop asking for feedback. :)
Seriously though, I realized that if my players keep showing
up and seem to have a good time then that's the best
feedback I could ask for. Doing surveys and probing can
sometimes be narcissistic. It's better to just continue
GMing and be confident someone will speak up if they're not
having fun.


4. Don't Let Fear Stop You
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Is there a possibility you have a fear of failure with
regards to GMing? Such a worry would definitely make one
hesitant to GM. Fear of failure can block action of any
kind.

The great news is the more you GM the better you get. Use
criticism as feedback to help you improve faster than if you
had to figure things out just by yourself over time. Use
fear to get angry at yourself for feeling scared, and just
sit down in the GM's chair and do it.

Acknowledging fear of failing as a GM is an awesome first
step to diagnosing lack of inspiration, enjoyment, and
motivation to doing something you actually enjoy a lot. If
you can pinpoint exactly what your biggest worry is, then
you have even more ammo to fight the problem with.

The solution often lies in the wording of the problem or
fear itself.

* I am scared I will embarrass myself in front of all my
friends.

Possible solution: GM a one-on-one game or two before
running a large group, or try a short online campaign where
you can remain anonymous.


* I am getting the rules wrong all the time. My players know
the rules better than I do.

Possible solution: Don't bear the rules burden yourself -ask
your players to help and allow yourself to master the rules
over time, hopefully through many fun gaming sessions. Note
bad rules mix-ups and create cheat sheets between sessions.
Ask your players directly about it - they probably empathize
and don't hold rules errors against you.


* I am a boring GM.

Possible solution: Ask your players what makes games
exciting to them so you know what to add to future sessions.
Ask other GMs what makes them compelling storytellers. Make
a list of what you could do better, and tackle one thing per
session. Ask your players what they like about your GMing.


5. Make A List - Why Do You Like Being A GM?
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In the face of adversity in a hobby, it's great to have a
solid understanding of why you enjoy it and what you get out
of it. If you aren't quite sure why you want to be a GM or
all the reasons you like it, make a list.

Why do you like being a GM?

Before you throw your hands up in frustration, walk away
from an unproductive planning session, or go to sleep after a
troubling game, consult your list to get enthused again and
motivate you to keep at it.

The list, if you have good reasons on it, is your bedrock
from which your GMing activities should flourish:
design, organization, preparation, running the game, post-
session activities.

If you are blocked, or if something about GMing right now is
bugging you, use the list as encouragement to make whatever
changes you need to return to fun and thrilling times. You
have the reasons why you like GMing before you - use this to
cut a swath through fear, uncertainty, and doubt to make
changes or plough throw difficult tasks.

After you GM each session, pull out your list and add to it.
What did you like about GMing this time? If there's a new
reason, add it and continue building up a good, long list
for future motivation and encouragement.