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When you think of your dream job, where do you see yourself? Are you sitting in a windowless cubicle or in an executive office? If you’re a businesswoman who wants to dominate the work world, you may want to start by dominating chess games. According to Aeon, as of May 2015, only two women rank within the top 100 chess players worldwide and women comprise only two percent of the World Chess Federation’s list of grandmasters.
If you’re a working woman, these six scientifically proven benefits of playing chess (as provided by Dr. G’s Brain Works) might be the secret weapons you need to score the career of your dreams.
One trait shared by chess and your job? You need to solve problems efficiently and quickly. With chess, you learn how to use the same resources as your opponent to put his or her king in check. With diverse chess moves under your belt, placing a report on your boss’s desk by three o’clock or fixing the communal coffee maker before the work meeting will as easy as one, two, checkmate!
Even though you’re not speaking, studies have shown that chess exercises parts of the brain related to language. In other words, you can prep your brain for giving a killer presentation at the office without straining your vocal chords.
Even though you want to beat your opponent in a chess game, chess requires two to tango. In particular, Dr. Rose Marie Stutts from the Freedom Chess Academy found that chess can boost emotional intelligence and help with the growth of psycho-social skills. Need help being the office’s social butterfly or empathizing with the woman who always eats tuna fish for lunch? Chess might be your answer.
Rather than seeing math as only a number’s game, consider its use of patterns and logic to help you mentally consider different options of attack. Chess trains all of these skills, inspiring you to figure out the logistics of work socials.
You’ve probably heard of the phrase “Keep it simple, stupid.” Well, chess makes sure you don’t forget that lesson! Besides teaching logic and how to play efficiently in a time crunch, chess encourages players to find the simplest solution to a complex problem. Considering that time is money, chess cannot only boost not only your productivity, but also your bottom line growth. Talk about a two-for-one deal.
In chess, every move counts – and every move comes with consequences that players must consider. When you’re working, a plan is equally important, whether it’s a to-do list for that day or your career goals overall. #WomenThatDo don’t just do – they also plan what steps they need to take to succeed.
Dealing with work problems or uncertainties? Chess might be your route to checkmate.
