Dominoes are rectangular blocks, normally twice as long as they are wide. One side of each domino bears a set of numbers, or spots, which determine its value; the other side is blank. When a domino is matched with another domino of the same value, the two dominos form a “set” that can be used to score points in a game. Sets may be stacked side-by-side or end-to-end to create long lines of dominoes that can then be tipped over, triggering a chain reaction in which the next domino on the line falls and so forth. Dominoes can also be arranged to form shapes and other creative designs.
Historically, dominoes have been used for positional games in which each player places a tile edge to edge against an adjacent one so that the open ends of all tiles on either side match or form some specified total. The first player to reach a particular total wins the game. Depending on the rules of a specific game, players can choose to stop playing when they have no more tiles of the same value or when they reach a point at which no more tiles of the same value can be played.
Business leaders often use the concept of the domino effect to describe a chain reaction that starts with one small event and then builds momentum until it causes a larger impact. For example, a company’s most important task might be to create its financial plan, and completing this task would allow the organization to take additional action that could lead to greater success. This “main domino” should be a top priority for the company and receive full attention until it is completed.
The domino principle can be applied to everyday life as well. For instance, if an individual has several tasks that need to be accomplished in a day, they should be ranked according to their impact and significance. By focusing on the most important tasks, an individual can make significant progress toward a goal and have positive effects on future endeavors. These good dominoes can be thought of as goals or projects that are challenging, require a large chunk of time and energy to complete, and will pay dividends in the future.
As a child, Lily Hevesh loved stacking dominoes in straight or curved lines and flicking them to watch the whole line tumble. She has since turned this passion into a lucrative career as a domino artist, creating elaborate sets for movies, TV shows, and events. She has even created a YouTube channel where she shares tips on how to build these amazing structures. Hevesh’s domino videos have garnered more than 2 million views. This popularity has led her to expand her empire into a domino consulting company that helps organizations implement the principles of the domino effect. Dominoes can be purchased in a variety of styles, sizes and colors, so anyone interested in learning how to play domino should consider taking advantage of this resource.