The One Thing You Need to Succeed: Attitude

A few weeks ago, I shared some thoughts about the psychology behind playing Go. This time, I want to switch it up and talk about something that goes beyond Go—something you can apply to almost anything in life.

Let’s talk about attitude.

Why do I think attitude is the one thing you truly need to make progress?

Whether you're starting a new job, picking up a hobby, or learning Go, you’ve probably noticed that some people seem to improve quickly, while others struggle. Ever wonder why that is?

Here’s something I’ve seen a lot: people who blame everything except themselves when things go wrong. They’ll say they lost because of bad luck, a tough opponent, or even that the universe is against them. The problem is, when you don’t own your mistakes, you miss the chance to learn from them—and that holds you back.

It’s not about having more money, more free time, or the best study tools (though those things help). What matters most is how you approach learning. And that all comes down to attitude.

Just look at top Go players—they all have one thing in common: a solid, positive attitude toward the game.

That’s why I always tell my students: it’s not about how much you spend, how many books you read, or how many games you play. Those things are useless if your mindset isn’t in the right place. If you’re not improving, it might be time to take a look at how you think about the game.

It doesn't matter what you are doing or the game. With the right attitude, you can do anything.

So, what does a good attitude actually look like?

Here are a few things I think make a big difference:

1. Focus on how you play, not just the result.

Winning a game you shouldn’t have won? Don’t get too excited. Losing a game you should’ve won? Don’t beat yourself up. What really matters is how you played—not just the score.

2. Stay open and curious.

Be willing to learn from others, even if they’re stronger than you. And remember, you probably have something to teach, too. Great players learn from everyone.

3. Take responsibility during the game.

If your opponent makes a mistake, it’s your job to take advantage of it. Letting it slide means you both miss a learning opportunity.

4. Don’t hide behind AI.

Arguing that “AI said it was better” doesn’t count unless you understand why. If you can’t explain the move, you don’t really know it.

5. Celebrate progress—yours and others’.

Take breaks, reward yourself, and support other players when they improve. Learning is a journey, and every small win matters.

There’s still so much more I could say about this, but here’s the bottom line: players with a good attitude improve way faster—sometimes twice as fast—as those who don’t.

So what do you think? Does attitude make the difference?

If you’re curious and want to give it a try, I offer a FREE first lesson. You can check it out here. Hope to see you around!