Leveling up your life | Pearls of wisdom #2

What Games Like Catan and Chess Teach Us

Lately, my escape from the daily grind has been through the satisfying click of placing a settlement in Catan or the rapid-fire intensity of a bullet chess match. Beyond the fun, I've found that these games, like many others, offer surprising insights into life itself. It's during these moments of focused play that some obvious yet often unacknowledged truths bubble to the surface.

One of the clearest lessons is the principle of gradual improvement. In both Catan and bullet chess, the more you play, the better you (generally) become. This echoes the famous 10,000-hour theory, but with a crucial nuance. Just diving headfirst into games against expert players can be disheartening. You might learn a thing or two by observation, but constant losses can easily kill your motivation before you've had a chance to grasp the fundamentals. It’s like expecting someone who’s only watched cooking shows to suddenly whip up a Michelin-star meal.

Conversely, consistently playing against significantly weaker opponents, while initially gratifying, can also hinder growth. You might refine certain skills, but you risk stagnating and developing bad habits that won't hold up against stronger competition. It’s about finding that sweet spot – challenging yourself without getting completely overwhelmed, and offering encouragement to others without getting stuck in a loop of uneven matches.

This brings me to a realization about holding people to high standards, myself included. It's a noble goal, but it needs to be tempered with understanding and patience. You can't expect someone whose daily media consumption consists of short, attention-grabbing content to suddenly appreciate the slow burn of a complex drama like "The Bear," which beautifully portrays the relentless pursuit of perfection in a team environment. The jump is too vast.

The key, I’ve learned, is gentle nudging. It's about understanding where someone is on their journey and encouraging small steps forward. Just as you wouldn't throw a complete beginner into a high-stakes chess tournament, you also need to be realistic about the learning curves in other aspects of life.

Furthermore, I've recognized the importance of finding your tribe. Sometimes, despite your best efforts to encourage and guide, there will be individuals whose interests and tastes lie in completely different realms. And that's okay. Instead of getting frustrated trying to bridge an immense gap, it might be more beneficial for everyone involved to connect with like-minded peers and enjoy their respective passions. There’s a certain beauty in acknowledging these differences and allowing people to thrive in their own spaces.

So, the next time you sit down to play a game, whether it's a strategic board game or a fast-paced online battle, pay attention to the subtle lessons that emerge. You might just find that the principles you learn in the virtual world can offer valuable insights into navigating the complexities of real life, from personal growth to fostering better relationships. It's all about finding the right level of challenge, practicing with intention, and understanding that progress, much like a well-played game, unfolds over time.

You can also listen to an audio overview of the above post here