At first glance, Microsoft Solitaire seems like just a way to pass time. But after doing its daily challenges for over two years, I’ve realized it’s chock-full of productivity lessons that genuinely improve how I work.
7Small Wins Keep You Motivated
If you’ve ever played a daily challenge, you know the satisfaction of finishing one. Those small victories add up every time you play, to more coins and more badges. Watching your progress bar fill up keeps you coming back for more.
I mean, if you’ve earned the Bronze badge, who’s to say you can’t earn the Silver?
This applies to productivity, too. Say you want to launch a company. That sounds overwhelming, right? Now, if you were to break this project into bite-sized tasks, like identifying the problem your company will solve, defining your USP (unique selling point), and choosing a business name, you’d be able to tick off one small task little by little.
Each completed task, no matter how small, motivates you to tick off the next thing. So, instead of focusing on the overwhelming end goal, break your projects into small tasks and celebrate every achievement.
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6There’s Grace to Fix Your Streak
I’ll admit that over the last two years, I’ve missed a few days here and there. Life happens. But what I love about the daily challenges is that I can go back and complete the days I’ve missed.
Even without the premium plan, you can access the daily challenges from the previous month.
This is to say that your productivity streak likely isn’t completely ruined; you just have to put in a little extra effort to catch up. I’ve had to play two weeks' worth of daily challenges in two days just to get my momentum back on track. It wasn’t easy, especially with all the expert levels crammed in. However, it was doable.
Skipping a workout (or five), missing a journaling session, or taking a break from brushing your teeth twice a day doesn’t mean failure. It means you adjust, make up for lost time, and keep going.
5Consistency Builds Momentum and Discipline
When I started playing these games, I didn’t imagine they would have any real impact. I find it hard to keep still when I’m in class, so Microsoft Solitaire was a great way to fiddle without losing focus.
But as the days turned into months, I realized how automatic it became. And this is exactly how you form habits. The more you show up—even when you don’t feel like it—the easier it gets.
Of course, it’s awesome to be motivated to do what you need to do. But life happens, and sometimes, you just don’t feel like it. That’s where consistency comes in. It removes the need for motivation because your habits start running on autopilot.
4You Don’t Need a Premium Subscription to Succeed
Premium Microsoft Solitaire has its fair share of perks—no ads, fancy card parks, more daily challenges—but I’ve found that I don’t really need any of that to complete the daily challenges. Sure, they might make things easier, especially when you’re in a race for the top of the leaderboard, and you have to sit through 30-second annoying ads. But the game is still 100% winnable without them.
Similarly,you don’t really need expensive apps, fancy planners, or high-end tools to stay organized and get things done. If they’re easily available to you, then why not? But you may work with what you have, find creative solutions, and still achieve your goals.
For instance, I’ve beenusing Google Calendar to plan my weekfor years. It’s free and easy to customize, and it helps me get things done without forgetting anything. I could put off planning my week until I get a more elaborate tool, or I could make the most of what’s available and still succeed.
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3Time Limits Enhance Focus and Decision-Making
Some Solitaire challenges, especially daily events, are timed. In these cases, there’s no room for overanalyzing. You either make a move or risk running out of time.
I’ve noticed the same pattern in my work. When a task lacks a clear deadline or I give myself too much time, I end up procrastinating until the last minute. Why? My brain already knows how long the task will take, so if extra time is available, it just drifts.
The fix is to not allow yourself more time than you actually need.
2Different Modes Teach You Adaptability
Microsoft Solitaire has multiple games, from Klondike (my personal favorite) to TriPeaks. Each mode has different rules, strategies, and difficulty levels, requiring you to adjust your game plan accordingly.
Similarly, sticking to just one method or routine won’t always work, especially as there areseveral productivity methods available. While the Pomodoro technique is great for repetitive tasks, it’s probably not the best if you have to brainstorm character ideas for your new book.
However, if you stay stuck on one method or tool, you’re able to constrain your workflow and kill your productivity, which is the exact opposite of what you’d be trying to achieve.
1Simple Routines Reduce Decision Fatigue
One of the best things about the daily challenges is that I rarely have to decide what to play. This simplicity makes it easy for me to stick with them.
Yes, I knowstructured routines can feel restrictivefor some, but we can’t rule them out completely. If you have routines in place, you can eliminate unnecessary, constant decision-making, leaving you with more mental energy for important tasks.
Whether it’s a morning workout or a meal prep routine, automating small decisions—especially with apps like Google Assistant and Bixby Routines—helps you stay productive without feeling overwhelmed. And in the end, that’s what really makes a difference.
