February 14, 2025
Ever have one of those déjà vu moments? That happened to me this morning while making toast. The bread didn’t pop up high enough, so I had to fish it out without burning my fingers. And suddenly, I knew why this felt familiar. Operation!
Remember Operation? The classic board game where you play a surgeon, trying to extract tiny ailments from Cavity Sam without triggering the dreaded buzzer. It requires steady hands, precision, and a cool head under pressure.
Games Are More Than Just Fun, They’re Brain Training
What does this have to do with thinking outside the box? A lot. Games train your brain to problem-solve, take risks, and find creative solutions, essential skills in business and life.
Take Operation. It’s not just about picking up tiny plastic bones. It’s about:
Precision Thinking Finding the right angle before making a move.
Risk Assessment Deciding whether to go for the tricky piece or play it safe.
Adaptability Adjusting your grip, your angle, and your strategy on the fly.
Sounds like real life, right? Whether navigating a tough business decision or retrieving stubborn toast, these skills kick in without you even realizing it.
Games Bring People Together
Last year, I noticed a shift during family gatherings. More games were making an appearance, pulling people off their phones and into face-to-face interactions. Games create an environment where everyone from the youngest to the oldest can strategize, collaborate, and compete in the best way possible.
This trend isn't just anecdotal. A study by Livewire found that 74% of families in the U.S., U.K., and Australia reported regular gaming sessions together, highlighting how gaming has returned as a family-time tradition. (Source: Forbes, "Family Gaming Grows in the U.S. and U.K., Study Shows")
Hilarious Games That Fuel Competition
If your family is anything like mine, game night isn’t just about fun, it’s about winning. We talk smack, take no prisoners, and fight to the bitter end. Some of our favorites:
Toilet Paper Rolling A game of speed and precision where players race to roll a toilet paper roll as fast as possible without breaking it. Innocent fun turns cutthroat fast.
Left, Center, Right (LCR) Dice Game $1 bills, unassuming alliances, and children brought to tears in real-time.
Tortilla Slap Challenge Hold water in your mouth and slap each other with tortillas. First to spit loses. Ridiculous? Yes. Hilarious? Absolutely.
Dominoes: Where Friendships Go to Die Slamming, strategy, and sabotage. If no one threatens to flip the table, are you even playing right?
Entrepreneurs, Innovators, and Gamers Have a Lot in Common
The best entrepreneurs don’t just follow rules, they challenge them. They think creatively, push limits, and embrace failure. And where do they hone these skills? Playing games.
Video gamers adapt quickly to new environments.
Board game strategists master risk-taking and decision-making.
Puzzle solvers sharpen critical thinking and problem-solving.
It’s not just a fun theory. Research backs it up. Studies have shown that playing strategic games can enhance problem-solving abilities, multitasking, and leadership skills. (Source: Modus, "How Video Games Could Inspire a Generation of Entrepreneurs")
The Takeaway
Playing games isn’t just entertainment. It’s mental training. It teaches you to approach challenges from different angles, think creatively, and stay cool under pressure.
Next time you’re in a tricky situation, ask yourself how would your gamer self handle this? Maybe the toast isn’t stuck. Maybe you just need a new strategy.
And if you’re hosting a family gathering or business event, throw in some games to get people working together, putting down their phones, and bonding. You might be surprised at how much creativity and collaboration comes from just a few rounds of fun.
Just be warned. If you invite my family, prepare for serious smack talk. And whatever you do… don’t let Nana win. 😉
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