The worlds of work and video games collide in many ways, and there are several skills that apply to both activities; from risk, resource, and time management to problem-solving and mental stamina.
These skills will prepare you for work prospects and upcoming games in equal measure, provided you’re aware of what they are and how they can be beneficial. So, without further ado, here are five skills that apply to employment and entertainment alike.
1. Problem-solving
Video game puzzles can be extremely challenging in some cases, often requiring players to think outside the box and employ a bit of lateral thinking. This forms thought patterns and logic loops that you wouldn’t have developed otherwise, and these are invaluable tools in any work-related area of expertise.
Similarly, the analytical mindset needed in a traditional workplace translates well to virtual environments. Protocols and procedures ensure the most common work crises are resolved as quickly as possible, and they teach you to prioritize efficiency over creativity.
The adaptable experimentation skills of video games are the ideal counter to the rigidity of work policies, and the hierarchical mental processes learned in typical work environments temper the ambitious creativity of modern sandboxes. Together, these skills lead to balanced problem-solving.
2. Critical thinking
Many games offer stimulating gameplay using interconnected systems, where you have to consider a range of possibilities in order to achieve the desired result. Each aspect of gameplay translates to a facet of employment, whether it’s time schedules, risk management, or resource allocation efficiency.
You have to make critical decisions that can either lead to success or failure, and you have to be willing to take responsibility for that outcome. This leads to improved critical thinking skills and forward planning as you learn to take short and long-term factors into account.
It’s hard to overstate how important critical thinking is. It applies to all realms of human experience, no matter where you are or what you’re doing, whether it’s work, play, or any other activity. There isn’t a single facet of human development that doesn’t benefit from it, and we could all do with a little more of it in the fast-paced world of today.
3. Patience
We work to gain money, and we play to gain enjoyment. The reward at the end of the tunnel is why we do what we do, but it takes patience and perseverance to get there. These character qualities require mental strength and the ability to wait until key moments, which isn’t easy when you consider the blitz-like pace of modern living.
Instant gratification has become a defining characteristic of many experiences, yet it’s nowhere near as satisfying as an achievement you’ve had to work long and hard for. Any gamer will be able to relate to this fact, and it’s easy to see why it applies to work too.
You have to be patient to get that month-end paycheck, and you have to keep performing at an optimum level to further any career you have in mind. As the old saying goes, if you want to climb the ladder of career advancement, you have to start on the bottom rung. The challenges you face only get tougher as you progress, and you have to persevere to succeed.
4. Communication
The one thing multiplayer games and business meetings share in common is a need for effective communication. They’re both designed with social interaction in mind, and knowing how to work and play well with others is a skill as old as time.
When you’re discussing ideas and developing strategies together with other people, you need to express yourself clearly and concisely. Leadership positions are the perfect example; sometimes, you have to reprimand certain behaviors, but it has to be done in a way that’s both positive and empowering.
In order to provide value as a team player, you have to engage with other members of your group. You learn about conflict resolution and healthy competition and how to contribute ideas and strategies that will aid the group as a whole.
5. Concentration
While some games have easily accessible ‘dopamine drips’, the most engaging games make you work for forward progress while under pressure. Much like a job, you have to concentrate if you want to get things right, and anything less than complete focus usually results in failure and disappointment.
Distractions will always be near in some shape or form, but you have to keep your head down, prioritize an objective, and put all your energy into working toward it. It’s not tough to see how this process applies to the business world as well.
Anything that distracts you from productivity needs to be tuned out in a business environment, and you need to be able to maintain concentration for extended periods of time. It’s all about profitability at the end of the day, and you can’t allow your mind to wander if you want to make money.
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