A huge part of being an entrepreneur involves solving problems, managing pressure, and rapidly adapting to changes without burning out. That’s not easy. While most advice for entrepreneurs centers on strategy, hustling, and developing a strong mindset, one thing is often overlooked: the benefits of playing video games.
Although gaming often gets a bad rap, it’s actually a tool that can develop mental sharpness, relieve stress, and support business growth.
If you’re an entrepreneur and don’t already game, you’ll have a good reason to start once you finish this article.
Let’s explore how video games can help you succeed!
Video games support mental agility
The mental skills that people build through playing action-based video games are directly applicable to running a business. For instance, entrepreneurship requires fast thinking, strong decision-making, and mental flexibility, all of which can be shaped by playing games on handheld consoles like Nintendo Switch. Although the Switch 2 isn’t out yet, you can grab a durable Nintendo Switch 2 case while you’re waiting for the official release.
Although they appear to be nothing more than entertainment, video games challenge players to track multiple pieces of information, make split-second decisions, and adapt to never ending changes. These are exactly the same skills required for success in business. It should be no surprise, then, that entrepreneurs who play games tend to develop better working memory and quicker reflexes.
Video games build grit
Since failure is inevitable, entrepreneurs will never succeed without grit. Not surprisingly, video games are an easy way to develop this mindset. The key is to never give up and keep going – something that comes naturally to gamers.
Video games are designed to be tough enough to make you fail over and over again. You basically have to die trying a bunch of times just to get a little bit of forward movement. It can take days, weeks, or even months to progress to the next level, depending on the game. This builds determination and perseverance, as well as a tolerance for failure, which is directly applicable to entrepreneurship. To a gamer, failure is feedback.
Video games improve strategic thinking capabilities
Planning ahead isn’t just for chess players – it’s a requirement for video games as well. Whether you’re managing resources or navigating an open world, you have to think several moves ahead, if not more. For example, games like The Legend of Zelda, StarCraft, and Civilization require anticipating future consequences, which is a critical business skill. Digital video game environments also simulate long-term thinking, risk-taking, and reward-based learning.
Video games reduce stress
Entrepreneurs are faced with stressful situations almost on a daily basis. Even on days off, there’s likely something to stress over. That’s where video games can come to the rescue. Your brain needs a break periodically, and gaming is an easy way to decompress. Instead of doom scrolling on social media or binging TV shows, engage your brain with a video game. Even if you’re not playing educational or constructive games, there’s nothing wrong with taking a break and enjoying yourself however you wish.
Video games strengthen pattern recognition skills
Seeing patterns early is a helpful entrepreneurial skill, and it’s something you can develop by playing video games. To play just about any game, you need to constantly notice patterns, like enemy behavior and system loops. What you fail to notice today may become apparent tomorrow, and then it will be easier to spot more patterns throughout the rest of the game.
Pattern recognition involves picking up on subtle cues, which can be applied to tasks like market analysis, testing ads, and analyzing customer insights. The next step is to optimize your path forward once you’ve assessed the patterns. Playing video games makes you an excellent optimizer because you have to find the most efficient path forward to progress and win the game.
Video games teach you to enter flow state
Flow state is a magical state where time disappears and hours pass like minutes while you effortlessly come up with ideas and get work done. The more you enter flow state while playing a game, the more you train your brain to enter that state in your everyday life. Eventually, it will happen automatically.
Video games can develop teamwork skills
Multiplayer games can train you to lead a team, collaborate, communicate under pressure, and manage group dynamics, which are all key skills for entrepreneurs. For instance, you need real skills to run a squad in Call of Duty or lead a raid in World of Warcraft, even though it’s just a game.
Play hard to work smarter
Video games may seem like a distraction, but they’re actually a great way to develop mental clarity, find relief from stress, and engage in creative expression. Smart entrepreneurs use gaming to level up their businesses and their brains.
