Getting Your Act Together: One Move at a Time
In the last couple of years, I have been introduced to strategic board games. These are games that call upon the players to understand and implement strategies involving a variety of things including the acquiring of resources, the building of assets, moving from point to point, negotiations, and trading, all the while moving toward the end goal of winning the game. The way to win these various games differs, but can include earning the most money, traveling to the most destinations, acquiring the most points associated with assets, and/or the most diversification of goods.
I’ve played these games primarily because it is a fun way to spend an evening that challenges my mind, often involves lots of laughter and produces great discussion. But recently I started to appreciate the strategies and lessons from the games as great analogies for some aspects of life. The following are some observations from playing these games.
Lessons from Game Playing:
Make a Move - Often when first learning how to play these strategic games it can be overwhelming, as there are several components to making a move. There are so many possibilities and no right or wrong choice. I regularly see clients struggle with this type of decision making process in life as well. So many opportunities or so many components to a decision that it becomes difficult to make a move or take a step. It is helpful to know that in both of these situations, the first move doesn’t have to be a perfect move. It is just the first step. When we give ourselves permission to just take one step, it can reduce the pressure of the eventual goal. One move at a time.
Development of a Strategy - Piggybacking off the above sentiment is this next building block of game playing which is allowing your strategy to develop. Whether you know the game or not, at some point you will try to develop a strategy for winning, but if you get too locked in to one strategy, you may miss other opportunities as they unfold. This is a lesson in reducing rigidity and allowing creativity. In game playing and life, if we put our blinders on and don’t allow ourselves to reassess or welcome the influence of others’ ideas, moves, etc., we may miss roads that could lead to the win. It is good to strategize and plan, but it is also important to stay flexible in what opportunities present themselves.
It’s Just a Game - Being a strategic player doesn’t always mean everyone likes the moves you are making. Sometimes in games and in life we have to make decisions that may negatively impact others. It is a great reminder to not take the action of others personally. Of course it is important in competitive environments, whether a game or life, to have good sportsmanship, respect, and ethical behavior, but even with these guiding principles there can be negative repercussions. We often see this play out in the business world where decisions are made for the benefit of the company that may negatively impact individuals. It is difficult and hopefully handled with consideration, but sometimes it must happen. Just like with a game, when these things happen, we must pick up the pieces and move forward.