Last Updated on January 7, 2024 by Gamesver Team and JC Franco
You may do puzzles for fun, exercise your mind, or pass the time, but did you know it can teach you valuable skills in just a few minutes? Sudoku is a numbers game that has become popular among kids and adults. It’s a great way to sharpen your thinking skills, and it can definitely have a positive effect on your life.
Sudoku teaches you to solve problems by using simple rules. You don’t need any mathematical knowledge or arithmetic skills; all you need is thinking and reasoning. If you haven’t played Sudoku before, then it’s time you try it out. You may find it easier and more rewarding than you think!
Sudoku can become a good habit that provides you with fun and powerful life skills. If you want to build your confidence, this popular puzzle will help you break through mental blocks, remove obstacles and focus on essential aspects of self-growth.
These are 18 ways in which Sudoku is more than just a game – Life lessons from Sudoku:
1. Determination pays off.
Sudoku may seem hard at first, and you may wonder why you have to keep trying. But, if you give up after the first mistake, you’ll never learn. It’s determined people who learn to master Sudoku. Determined people act more proactively and achieve results. Determined people don’t give up easily. Like a Sudoku puzzler, you should never give up after your first error. Never give up until you have mastered every skill. You decide how much effort and dedication you wish to devote to achieving success.
2. Every person plays an important part in your life.
Sudoku is only complete when all 81 spaces are filled by a number. We all have holes in our lives filled by people bringing their unique experiences, values, vocabulary, and worldview. We never know how each person will become a vital part of who we are, but they help us grow as individuals. Playing Sudoku helps you to realize that each person or scenario in life has its place in your life.
3. Always ask for help.
Nobody should feel ashamed to ask for help. If you struggle with a problem, you should use every resource at your disposal to get things done. Sudoku presents us with several problems — what could possibly be more problematic than having empty spaces where you have to arrange numbers in an exact format? There’s no need to be afraid of peeking over the answer key, and it’s much the same in real life. When you’re confronted with a problem, talk to trusted friends and family members to get the help you need.
4. Stay positive.
When we do something we enjoy, our brain releases dopamine and serotonin. These hormones help us feel good about ourselves and relax. Positive thinking motivates your brain to do what you enjoy more often. This is why it’s so important to be optimistic when things become difficult and aren’t going well. Playing Sudoku when you’re feeling down can give you a sense of fulfillment. And fulfillment is a powerful positive emotion.
5. Work smarter, not harder.
Sudoku works best when you start with the easy numbers, then move on to the more challenging rows and columns. Scanning the grid helps you find where a few numbers belong. It’s simple; you don’t even need to think hard. However, this step is crucial to figure out the rest of the numbers.
Everyone knows managing time, sleeping enough, and taking breaks is vital to working smarter. These little jobs need to be done while you focus on your other tasks to have success. Playing Sudoku teaches you not to take the easy stuff for granted and to have a systematic approach to tasks that otherwise seem insurmountable.
6. Take it one day at a time.
You may find a Sudoku grid too easy and dive into an even more complex puzzle without realizing you don’t possess the skills to solve it. If you do this, the game will undoubtedly outwit you. This is a great life lesson as it can teach you to grow and develop slowly in life instead of trying to rush ahead.
7. Take some time for yourself.
In Sudoku, a little break might help you feel more refreshed. When you return to the game, you might notice your brain performing better. This lesson can filter into the rest of your life. Taking breaks helps you refresh and return to tasks rejuvenated and ready to take them on.
8. Always stay humble.
It’s easy to become complacent when you are playing an easier grid. Your past victories might have made you overconfident, but when you try a complex puzzle, you’re quickly humbled and “knocked down to size.” This can teach the valuable lesson of being humble. Humbleness is essential for developing relationships and becoming a leader. Humility enables you to learn, be vulnerable, and grow.
9. It’s okay to make mistakes.
With Sudoku, players constantly make choices that affect the game’s outcome. In life, we make decisions all the time. Eventually, you will make the wrong decision. It’s okay. Playing Sudoku can teach you that although no one is perfect, if you’re willing to take risks and learn from your mistakes, you’ll be better off than before and eventually succeed.
10. It’s all right in front of you.
You probably have come across a situation in Sudoku where a number was obvious, but you could not see it before. The secret is to pay close attention to the clues. This can be a great life lesson because, in our everyday lives, we also have hints that help us achieve our goals. If you feel stuck, just look around for inspiration to help you get out of the slump.
11. Try new things.
Sudoku is a game of trial and error. You have to look for answers in different ways, or you will feel stuck. Trying new approaches can help you solve the puzzle. Much the same, if you try different approaches to things in life, you may enjoy a better or more rewarding outcome.
12. Be flexible.
In a game of Sudoku, flexibility is essential. If you try a possible solution and it doesn’t work, you have to be flexible enough to try something else. This can be a lesson that filters into everyday life. In today’s fast-changing world, flexibility is indispensable. Things are constantly changing, and it’s helpful to be ready to switch gears. Otherwise, you might get left behind.
13. Improve your problem-solving skills.
There are several aspects to consider when solving Sudoku problems, including your experiences and expertise. Have you considered that you might be feeling stuck because your problem-solving skills could use a bit of a brush-up? Playing Sudoku can help you to improve your general problem-solving abilities.
14. Persevere, even when it seems impossible.
Every Sudoku puzzle comes with a solution. Likewise, we can always provide a solution to the problems we face in our lives. Perseverance is crucial to solving Sudoku puzzles. Much the same, perseverance is essential in life, especially if you want to be successful.
15. Bear a little defeat.
There will be Sudoku puzzles that you won’t solve, which might make you blow a fuse. Learning how to handle defeat is all part of the Sudoku playing process. It’s much the same in real life. You need to be able to handle wins and defeats gracefully. The important thing is that you learn from the process and keep pressing on.
16. People can be difficult sometimes.
Some Sudoku puzzles are downright difficult. Some feel as if they just cannot be solved, but that doesn’t mean you should give up. Much the same, you can encounter difficult people in life, but often it’s just a lack of clear communication and understanding that’s the underlying cause. This is a great life lesson taught by Sudoku!
17. Everything is connected.
Each Sudoku number leads to the next until you finish your puzzle. We experience this in life. Every choice and action we take leads to the next, and so on. Our choices lead to consequences, good and bad. So the saying “Everything happens for a reason” is true. And we all know that it’s for a good reason.
18. Value your close ones.
A Sudoku puzzle comes with a few clues, each of which is critical to arrange the numbers correctly. This is a great life lesson because, in your life, people you trust teach you valuable lessons and help you achieve your goals.
Last Word
Now that you know just how many life lessons you can learn from Sudoku, doesn’t it make you keen to start playing (or puzzling) today? Put the puzzle to the test and see for yourself if playing a puzzle game can add such value to your life.
This article was co-authored by our team of in-house and freelance writers, and reviewed by our editors, who enjoy sharing their knowledge about their favorite games with others!
JC Franco
JC Franco serves as a New York-based editor for Gamesver. His interest for board games centers around chess, a pursuit he began in elementary school at the age of 9. Holding a Bachelor’s degree in Business from Mercyhurst University, JC brings a blend of business acumen and creative insight to his role. Beyond his editorial endeavors, he is a certified USPTA professional, imparting his knowledge in tennis to enthusiasts across the New York City Metropolitan area.