Having a sharp mind is a natural gift, but you need different type of smarts for different activities. Spelling may seem simple but to excel at it you need to train your mind a certain way, and the same could be said for online gaming. The real question is how much of the skill is transferable between these two mental challenges and the answer might surprise you.
Great spellers are generally capable people who can accomplish many other goals if they decide to put in their best effort. They have plenty of abilities that serve them well in the world of gaming, even if they are not applied quite the same way. The following skills are particularly valuable in both spheres and account for a lion’s share of success in spelling as well as gaming.
Attention to Detail
The devil is in the details as they say, and those who have laser-like attention have a big advantage in spelling. Words are often very similar with a single letter being the only difference, so it’s imperative to be very exact when learning them. Detail-oriented people are much less likely to get confused by similar words and usually have a system for telling them apart. This skill is very useful to Canadians who want to reach the elite status as online blackjack players, as it allows them to recognise situations when odds are on their side even if it’s not obvious. It may not be possible to control the luck factor, but if you can zero in on relevant details and avoid getting confused by similar combinations of cards, you will win much more on the aggregate.
Photographic Memory
People who are blessed with strong memory expend much less energy keeping track of the things that can affect the outcomes of any competition. They can prepare much better than their rivals in the same amount of time, and they probably won’t stumble to recall a key fact when they need to demonstrate their knowledge. Prepping for a spelling bee is extremely time consuming so those who are learning faster and retaining what they learned without too much repetition are well-positioned to dominate. Online games are definitely less demanding, but some of them feature complex rules and a wide array of game features or items, making it necessary to memorise a lot of stuff in advance. Much like in spelling, photographic memory is a secret weapon for gamers who want to compete at the highest level but have limited time to practice their craft.
Analytic Reasoning
It’s easy to have a correct answer when you know the exact word, but the real test is how well you can adjust when you are not sure what is correct. Spelling champions are sometimes able to arrive at the right solution by using logic to eliminate the wrong choices and confirm their intuition. This requires a deep understanding of the language, and a mind that can break down multiple factors and avoid the wrong paths of reasoning. Gamers can relate to this quite well, as they use analytical thinking to identify the most optimal strategies and spend their resources rationally. Most games have challenging moments that require the player to go beyond his standard approach and deduce the solution based on limited information. The best ones can see through the visual and informational clutter and make the right move without thinking twice about it.
Quick Decision-making
Time pressure adds to the difficulty in both settings and favours players who can think on their feet and jump straight to conclusions. Performing against the clock is much different than doing a good job in a relaxed setting with no timer. The temptation to rush the answer during a spelling contest is very strong, although it rarely leads to great results. Some people tend to panic as the clock starts ticking down, but real aces use the available time efficiently and often turn in a last-second winner. Likewise, gamers typically have a limited time to decide between various options and they have to be comfortable making their decisions without hesitation. Those that fear making a mistake can get paralysed at a critical moment and miss their chance to score a big win.
Staying Calm Under Pressure
While this is not a cognitive skill in a strict sense, it is close enough to be included here. A calm mind is extremely valuable when the task is challenging, and it’s not rare for spellers or gamers who can control their emotions to do better than more knowledgeable opponents who struggle with nervousness. It’s easy to get a good result in a practice setting when nobody is watching, but in competitive situations things can get out of control in a split-second. Resilience to stress is an ability that can be learned up to an extent, so more experienced competitors tend to be less distracted by their own nerves. On the other hand, some people are naturally more inclined to be even-keeled and they don’t get blinded by the bright lights or overly excited about the importance of the positive outcome