If playing Dungeons and Dragons has taught me anything...

[delericho]

If Dungeons & Dragons has taught me anything, it's that the quality of the people around me is a far stronger predictor of success (however you measure success) than almost any other factor. Get the right people around the table, and any system can give a great game; get the wrong people, and no system can salvage it.

 

[howandwhy99]

It's that D&D is a relative game, not a subjective one. And that it, and every game really, have nothing whatsoever to do with narrative theory.

 

[dragonis111]

Wow some really great answers! Lets keep them coming! Meatboy's is my favorite so far as a fellow DM.

 

[dd.stevenson]

As a DM I first learned a harsh life lesson which I am only now beginning to grasp. My hard work and a creativity usually amount to a hill of beans and most things I do will always go unappreciated by others.

I learned the lesson slightly differently. My D&D players taught me that hard work and creativity will never be appreciated in the manner in which I expect. Things that I think are wonderful and worked very hard on will go ignored, while things that I thought up on the spur of the moment and introduced without preparation will be long and fondly remembered.

 

[Dwimmerlied]

ive learned that if you kill enough people, you will eventually be able to swim in lava.

 

[koga305]

As a DM, D&D has helped me become much more adept at planning and organization. Often getting my players to the game (on time and prepared) is as difficult as making sure they have a good time while playing!

 

[Kobold Stew]

...

 

[Stormonu]

That the last 5% of any project is the hardest to finish.

And that things that excite me other people could care less about.

 

[Adimus]

Always loot the bodies