5 ways how Solitaire can gamify your work/life balance

When things get overwhelming as an entrepreneur, what better than an online game of Solitaire? But over a period of time, I started to realise that this was not just about a game of patience. And stacking four sets of cards in the right order.

The timer tapped into my competitive side and got me hooked into winning faster. One score of 1.53 secs was impossible to replicate. Till I went down the rabbit hole of trying to win and somewhere got addicted to the game.?

So one day I stepped away. Tried to analyze which tactics ensured a faster victory with least effort. It led to an epiphany.

My 5 key takeaways as to how Solitaire can gamify your life also applied to the professional and personal experiences and interactions in my entrepreneurial life. The game suddenly took on a new meaning.

Five learnings for entrepreneurs:

Lesson 1: Sometimes you have to bring back a card to finish the game. Maybe you have two complete stacks. But you also have several wrong cards left. So try to see if bringing back a few cards will help you to finish the game.

Key takeaway: Sometimes, you have lost touch with the key people in your life. At a crucial turning point, when the current people in your life fail to help, go back through your contacts list. Try and find that one person who may have the specific wisdom to mentor you through your current obstacles.?

Lesson 2: If you are in a hurry to win, you may run out of cards. This leads to a lot of frustration. Any entrepreneur who encounters a losing streak knows how it leads to a stubborn frame of mind and further flawed decisions.?

Key takeaway: Measure twice and cut once. Ignore the snake oil promises. It is more important for your entrepreneurial journey to be a meaningful and sustainable one.

Lesson 3: Balance is the key. Instead of stacking all the cards to the left or the right side, keep it light and easy.?Assess all opportunities and see how you can be flexible and find alternate ways to create smaller sets…

Key takeaway: Be mindful as an entrepreneur and try to maintain a work/life balance. No checking mails at night when having dinner with family. Yes, you are dispensable….

Lesson 4: Instead of using a new card, try and look at the existing cards across the spread. You may unravel a current card that reveals a win.

Key takeaway: Sometimes, we forget what is around us. Existing family and friends, clients and even strategic partners who can help us reach our goals faster. Don't hesitate to pick up the phone and ask. Hearing a No is not the end of the world. And you can always enjoy the coffee with them.

Lesson 5: You could restart the game to figure out where you went wrong. And use that chance to play the same game once again.?

Key takeaway: Life and entrepreneurship is not always about winning. Sometimes, clients and friends are not ready. Or clients don't have the budgets and don't understand the value you bring to the table. It does not make you a loser.?

On the contrary, who knows when the same person will come back a few months later after shopping around.. So enjoy the journey. Have a good laugh. Be mindful.

So I went back to playing the game and remembered the old Zen koan. “Before enlightenment; chop wood, carry water. After enlightenment; chop wood, carry water….”