Want to become a better Entrepreneur?
Look at business like a chessboard.
Here are 11 business lessons you can learn from chess:
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Look at business like a chessboard.
Here are 11 business lessons you can learn from chess:
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1.) Be flexible and agile
You might have a plan...
But you don't have full control over the game.
Your opponent might make an unexpected move.
Be ready to pivot, and create an infrastructure that makes it as easy as possible.
You might have a plan...
But you don't have full control over the game.
Your opponent might make an unexpected move.
Be ready to pivot, and create an infrastructure that makes it as easy as possible.
2.) Strategic Vision
This is the most obvious and known one, but it's true.
Strategy in any shape or form is a mix of:
- Creativity
- Calculation
- Analysis
- Visualization
There aren't many better games to practice the above skills than chess.
This is the most obvious and known one, but it's true.
Strategy in any shape or form is a mix of:
- Creativity
- Calculation
- Analysis
- Visualization
There aren't many better games to practice the above skills than chess.
3.) Patience and rushed decisions
In chess and business rushed decisions are rarely the best.
Sometimes, it's best to take a step back and think to make the best decision.
This also means:
In chess and business rushed decisions are rarely the best.
Sometimes, it's best to take a step back and think to make the best decision.
This also means:
1. Delegating so your thoughts aren't consumed by the wrong problems.
2. Understanding which decisions have chain consequences.
3. Understanding how to calculate the future impact of decisions, and looking for pitfalls.
2. Understanding which decisions have chain consequences.
3. Understanding how to calculate the future impact of decisions, and looking for pitfalls.
4.) Sacrifices
Business is demanding.
It requires sacrifices in your focus - both in a business and in a personal sense.
You probably can't build 5 companies at the same time or have 10 conflicting goals.
You have to sacrifice just like pieces on a chess board.
Business is demanding.
It requires sacrifices in your focus - both in a business and in a personal sense.
You probably can't build 5 companies at the same time or have 10 conflicting goals.
You have to sacrifice just like pieces on a chess board.
4a.)
A similar concept is that sometimes your own pieces can get in each other's way.
If you don't focus, this will happen in your business.
A similar concept is that sometimes your own pieces can get in each other's way.
If you don't focus, this will happen in your business.
5.) Every player develops their own style
I'm a big believer that everyone should play to their strengths and understand themselves.
Chess players all develop their own style - just like Entrepreneurs.
Own your strengths, and your weaknesses.
I'm a big believer that everyone should play to their strengths and understand themselves.
Chess players all develop their own style - just like Entrepreneurs.
Own your strengths, and your weaknesses.
6.) Greatness can't be copied.
Beginners might beat each other by memorising a basic trick or an opening.
At a higher level that would fall apart.
Beginners might beat each other by memorising a basic trick or an opening.
At a higher level that would fall apart.
6a.)
If you want to become truly great at anything, you can't copy someone else.
There are too many unique factors...
Timing
Talent
Network
Thoughts
Experiences
Tech advancement
Stop trying to copy someone else's success.
Start pushing your own as far as possible.
If you want to become truly great at anything, you can't copy someone else.
There are too many unique factors...
Timing
Talent
Network
Thoughts
Experiences
Tech advancement
Stop trying to copy someone else's success.
Start pushing your own as far as possible.
7.) Preparation
Pro-chess players look at databases to prepare for their games.
This is something that can be applied to business:
Pro-chess players look at databases to prepare for their games.
This is something that can be applied to business:
Instead of looking at small tactics, the best companies look at their entire industry and future developments.
They prepare for different outcomes so they can make decisions faster.
They prepare for different outcomes so they can make decisions faster.
8.) Pattern-recognition
Chess players also notice patterns that help them make decisions faster.
This could be:
Chess players also notice patterns that help them make decisions faster.
This could be:
1. Noticing when you're close to burnout
2. Noticing patterns between industries and experiences
3. Noticing patterns in people, and trends.
Again, a crucial skill to make quality decisions fast.
2. Noticing patterns between industries and experiences
3. Noticing patterns in people, and trends.
Again, a crucial skill to make quality decisions fast.
9.) The Dangers of Tunnel vision
We often talk about tunnel vision in a positive sense.
But it can also cause missing an opportunity or pitfall.
Look at the entire board.
We often talk about tunnel vision in a positive sense.
But it can also cause missing an opportunity or pitfall.
Look at the entire board.
10.) Start with the end in mind.
While you should take one step at a time, understanding the end goal will help you:
1. Reach better decisions
2. Develop patience
3. Have a clear direction
This brings me to the next point...
While you should take one step at a time, understanding the end goal will help you:
1. Reach better decisions
2. Develop patience
3. Have a clear direction
This brings me to the next point...
11.) Chess & The Art of Leadership
This was one of the most important ones for me.
The concept simplified:
A strong player develops all pieces before trying to attack.
A weak player relies too heavily on the strongest piece to attack.
This was one of the most important ones for me.
The concept simplified:
A strong player develops all pieces before trying to attack.
A weak player relies too heavily on the strongest piece to attack.
Ultimately the goal is to know the position you want to create for your company.
Then, developing each piece to create it before launching your 'attack.'
I wrote an entire chapter about this in my book, "Bootstrap Your Life" - check it out on Amazon:
amazon.co.uk
Then, developing each piece to create it before launching your 'attack.'
I wrote an entire chapter about this in my book, "Bootstrap Your Life" - check it out on Amazon:
amazon.co.uk
TL;DR
1. Be flexible
2. Strategic vision
3. Patience and rushed decisions
4. Sacrifices
5. Every player has a style
6. Greatness can't be copied
7. Preparation
8. Pattern-recognition
9. Tunnel vision
10. Start with the end in mind
11. Leadership
1. Be flexible
2. Strategic vision
3. Patience and rushed decisions
4. Sacrifices
5. Every player has a style
6. Greatness can't be copied
7. Preparation
8. Pattern-recognition
9. Tunnel vision
10. Start with the end in mind
11. Leadership
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I bootstrapped @myprotein and maintained 100% equity until I exited.
I share my thoughts, and experiences here on my Twitter: @olivercookson
I share my thoughts, and experiences here on my Twitter: @olivercookson
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