It hit me that there are several lessons to be learned from Bejeweled that apply to life, work and productivity in general. If you've played the game I'm sure you can come up with others.
1. There are no perfect games (outcomes, projects, etc.) , you can always do much better or much worse with the same level of effort. Work to maximize your outcome but cut your losses when you have to.
2. You can't afford to focus all of your attention on one section of the board (or your life), opportunities or challenges come up everywhere, often at the same time.
3. Problems and opportunities often follow patterns, learn to recognize patterns and how they fit together so when the confusion of crises or deadlines hit you can still squeeze in the last few steps to improve your outcome.
4. Don't depend too much on specific pieces, your actions, or forces out of your control can cause them to disapear from the board just when you need them most.
5. Sometimes a timely decision is more important than the best decision.
6. Sometimes a rash decision can ruin your game - or day.
7. You can't afford to focus too closely on the most important pieces, sometimes you'll miss much greater opportunities or problems with the all the other pieces.
8. Realize that patterns operate in multiple dimensions - learn to see them rightside up, upside down, backwards and forwards.
9. Synergy is the key. If you can't get the pieces working for you clearing the board you'll never make the high score.
10. You've got to work with the pieces you've got on the board right now.
11. If you watch the clock you'll never get anything done.
and finally....
12. Learn to walk away and do something else. Too much time focused on the game will make you weak and boring.
