The Domino Effect

Domino, a cousin of the playing card, has long been an instrument for games, challenges of skill, and tests of patience. The most popular domino game uses a set of 28 tiles with one side bearing from two to six dots, or pips, while the other side may be blank.

The tiles are stacked on end, often in long lines, to create intricate designs. When the first domino in a line is tipped, it causes the next to tip over and so on in an ever-expanding chain of events. This is why the term “domino effect” has been coined to describe any action that leads to much greater—and sometimes disastrous—consequences.

In modern usage, the word has come to refer to any series of actions that are linked together in this way and that are based on simple principles, such as the chain reaction of dominoes or the progression of a novel in scenes. It also can mean a system of rules or a structure.

Hevesh, a YouTube user who calls herself a “domino artist,” has used her skills to create displays for movies and music videos and to help break several world records for the largest domino setups. The most recent one involved 76,017 pieces and took more than three hours to fall.

Even though Hevesh started dominoing at age 10, she did not become a professional until the late teens. She has a large following on her YouTube channel and has worked with celebrities and major brands. Her work is so intricate that she has to spend weeks building the sets before she can film them.

Throughout the years, there have been many different versions of the domino, ranging from simple to complex. Initially, European dominoes were made from bone, silver lip ocean pearl oyster shell (mother of pearl), or ivory, with contrasting black or white pips. More recently, the tiles have been made from a variety of materials including stone (such as marble or granite); woods such as ebony and other hardwoods; metals such as brass and pewter; and ceramic clay.

Aside from the standard 28-piece set, some variations include extra tiles that represent the seven results of throwing a single die. Others have double- or triple-sided dominoes. The traditional Chinese domino sets have no blanks.

Aside from its entertainment value, the domino is a powerful tool for goal setting and achievement. Dominos are a visual representation of progress toward a goal, and they offer a built-in sense of momentum. Once a person commits to an identity-based goal, he or she must keep up the momentum. Otherwise, the chain will collapse. This principle applies to goals in life and in business. A person should start off small, so the goal is attainable and then gradually build up to more challenging accomplishments. This will keep the motivation and consistency necessary for success.