What Strategy Games Can Teach You About Goal-Setting
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By PAGE Editor
Would you believe us if we told you that the biggest secret to achieving your goals and improving your productivity lay in the games you play for entertainment? It might sound surprising, but strategy games can actually provide a treasure trove of lessons on everything from planning to goal-setting. The skills you’re sharpening over a board or on your screen aren’t just making you a better player, they’re making you better at tackling life!
From tabletop classics like chess to poker and strategy based video games, let’s explore how these activities can help you achieve key personal and professional development milestones.
Strategy Games in 2025
Here in the digital age, strategy games have become part of the fabric of digital entertainment.
The likes of chess and card games like solitaire and poker have become staples in the mobile and PC gaming sector. There are numerous browser-based gaming platforms in which you can participate in chess tournaments or online poker games, while online resources make it easier than ever to learn pokeror develop advanced strategies. Even if you’re not keen on traditional gaming, strategic gameplay often forms the foundation of iconic console titles.
It's not just real-time strategy classics like StarCraft II that fly the flag for strategy video games. The SIMS, Football Manager and Far From Home all feature strategic elements that you need to master in order to progress in the game, so there’s plenty to take away from playing these games regularly too.
How Games Encourage Goal-Setting
Imagine sitting at a chessboard, contemplating your next move. Every decision you make will contribute to your ultimate goal…checkmate. Chess demands that you not only set objectives but also prioritise them. Similarly, in poker, you’re constantly setting financial and tactical goals: how much to wager, when to fold, and how to outmaneuver your opponents.
Video games take things a step further, with goal setting being introduced at multiple levels. From gathering resources to conquering territories, these games are teaching you to break down larger objectives into manageable tasks.
Translating these lessons into real life is simpler than it seems. Say you have a major goal, like making a career change or getting on the property ladder, breaking this overwhelming process down into several smaller goals makes it that much more manageable. Make a start by defining clear milestones, same as you would during the phases of a strategy game. What’s your first move? What will you do next?
Actionable Tips:
Write down your overarching goal and identify the smaller tasks needed to achieve them.
Prioritize your key objectives—not all tasks hold equal weight so focus on those with the greatest impact.
Thinking Several Moves Ahead
Playing the long game is essential in strategy games. In poker, for instance, players will be weighing up their decisions against potential future outcomes; while chess players have to anticipate their opponent’s moves several turns ahead. Meanwhile, strategy video games place emphasis on resource management or alliance-building, reinforcing this same skill for long-term planning.
You’re already strategizing in your daily life, whether you’re aware of it or not. Mapping out a career path, saving for retirement, or even planning your dream vacation all require you to think ahead. Adopting the mindset of a gamer as you tackle your goals can help you sharpen your ability.
Actionable Tips:
Anticipate potential obstacles and prepare contingencies, just as you would to counter an opponent’s strategy.
Regularly review your progress, adjusting your plan as needed.
Focus and Discipline
Distraction is the enemy of progress, and no one understands this better than a gamer! Strategy video games demand you pay attention to all the details—miss one key action, and your entire mission could fail. Similarly, momentary lapses in concentration can lead to defeat in chess, while poker players need to sustain unwavering focus to calculate odds and read their opponents.
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The cognitive discipline that you cultivate when playing games can be directly applied to your real-world goals. Whether you’re working on a big project or learning a new skill, staying present is key. Treat your task like it's a mission in a game, one that requires all of your attention.
Actionable Tips:
Use time-blocking methods like the pomodoro technique, to allocate focused work periods.
Take a break and practice mindfulness techniques like 4x4 breathing to regain focus when your mind starts to wander.
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