Life lessons gained from playing Pokemon Go

I am sure most of you have played it. Or at least even heard about it.

It's practically everywhere. Newspapers, television, Twitter, Facebook. The craze that gripped not only the nation but throughout the world (at least where it was released).

While the opinion on this global phenomenon called Pokemon Go is currently split, I am inclined to share life lessons that could be gained from playing this game for the past month.

Really? Life lessons? Yes. There are lessons to be learned. Here we go.

When life gives you Zubats, make Golbats out of them If you are a hardcore Pokemon Go user, I am sure you would have encountered the bat-like Pokemon, Zubat, daily within your game screen more than you would like. Nevertheless, it is important to note that capturing Zubats and turning them into Golbats would still help your progression in the game. The important thing here is make the best of what life gives you. It may not be what you want but it can still be beneficial to you in the long run. See the bigger picture. Be positive.

Use the right tools to get ahead.

If you fail to plan, then you plan to fail, or so they say. When it comes to Pokemon Go, using your Lucky Eggs and Lure Modules at the right time and place goes a long way. What this means is it is important to not only use what you have at your disposal but also using it at the opportune moment. Sometimes, it may be the difference in getting ahead in life or at work.

However, not all things (always) go according to plan.

Despite the emphasis placed on planning, do remember that not everything goes according to plan. For example, you had a 10km egg. As the counter drew closer to the 'hatching' mark, deep down in your heart, you wish it's going to be that Lapras still missing from your Pokedex. Oh? It's hatching......then you snorted in disgust at that Pidgey that just came out of that egg that prompted you to walk eight times around your neighbourhood. Such things happen in life as well. You pulled an all-nighter trying to finish up a proposal to be presented the next day only to find out 10 minutes before the presentation that the laptop at the office do not support the latest version of PDF Reader. The possibilities are endless. So are the heartaches. Nevertheless, try your best to be prepared for any eventualities.

Life is never fair.

It was a tough battle against a trio of Snorlax, Vaporeon and Dragonite at a Level 3 Gym and by some amazing combinations of dodging and well-timed special attacks, you managed to reduce the Gym's Prestige all the way to zero. Voila! The gym is yours but wait, someone else from another team had placed their Pokemon first. You retorted, "This isn't fair!". The same could be said for that promotion you were aiming at office. You did everything you could for that elusive managerial position only to find someone else got to it first.

Presevere and you may succeed.

With all these challenges, Pokemon Go is certainly not an easy game. It is one of those occasions where fiction mimics reality. Capturing 147 Pokemon (for now) to complete your Pokedex is no mean feat. Coupled with taking over gyms as well as defending it, it is a game which not only requires the strength of the mind but also patience as well as preseverance. The same traits that you need to be successful in life. At the end of the day, even if you could not attain what you set to achieve, be it winning a gold medal in the sports you are competing or completing your Pokedex, be content that you have tried your best in order to achieve them. After all, you can't get everything in life.