Domino, also known as bones, men, pieces, or tiles, is a small rectangular block used for gaming and is available in different shapes and sizes. A domino is placed edge to edge against another domino of the same size in a line, and then flipped so that the first one falls. This initiates a chain reaction in which each domino causes the next to fall until the entire line is completed. The action is very exciting to watch, as the dominoes slide across each other and knock over their neighbors.
Lily Hevesh started playing with dominoes at age 9 when her grandparents gave her the classic 28-piece set. She loved lining them up in straight or curved lines, flicking the first one, and watching the entire group come down, one after the other. She was hooked and now creates incredible domino setups for movies, TV shows, and events. Her YouTube channel, Hevesh5, has more than 2 million subscribers.
While Hevesh’s creations are mesmerizing, the real magic of a domino is in the simple fact that one small domino can topple many larger ones. It’s important to remember this principle in our personal lives, particularly when it comes to prioritizing our tasks. Often, the hardest tasks to tackle are those that have the greatest impact on a long-term goal. These are the “good dominoes.” The good ones will take a large chunk of time and focus, but they are crucial to achieving your goals.
One of the best ways to understand the domino effect is to look at it as a tool for plotting a novel. Whether you write off the cuff or plan carefully, every plot beat in your story is like a small domino that can tip over the rest of your work. Each domino should lead naturally to the next, creating a cohesive and engaging story.
It takes energy to reset the dominoes after each attempt, and removing a domino from a line stops its flow just as it takes energy for the nerve cell to redistribute ions and reestablish its resting state after an electrical impulse is interrupted by the removal of a single domino. The process is much the same in our personal lives, and understanding the domino effect can help us break down a daunting task into manageable, bite-size pieces.
In 1967, Domino’s founder, Tom Monaghan, opened his first official Domino’s location in Ypsilanti, Michigan. The company’s success was fueled by its commitment to listen to customers and make changes in response to their feedback. This strategy helped the company thrive, and it is still a cornerstone of their culture today. Whether it’s implementing a new dress code, a leadership training program, or putting locations near college campuses, Domino’s has built its reputation on championing its employees and listening to their concerns. This approach can be applied to any industry, and it can have a significant positive impact on your career.