Gamification on a personal level

Gamification has caused a lot of conversation recently.  At first glance, some may feel that it creates unbalanced priorities, but I feel that it can serve as a motivation to do something that we already know is good.

Nike set up Nike+ which is program set up to track running.  Nike+ gathers this information and creates competition between runners which can lead to more running. http://nikerunning.nike.com/nikeos/p/nikeplus/en_US/what_is_nike_plus

The examples we have been using including the one above have been mostly involving how influential gamification can be in promoting desirable behavior in others.  We have seen how gamification works in social causes, businesses, and other ways.  In addition to using gamification to impact others, I think we should use it on ourselves.  Are we smart enough to make ourselves think that something otherwise ordinary or even boring can be fun?  I think we are, and we do this maybe more than we think we do.  We can have our personal burdens made light with gamification.

Some examples I thought of are probably more obvious than you could be thinking.  Some fall more under the umbrella of gamification than others.

1)Music/Dance
The first example for this I thought of was in cleaning.  Those of us in apartments or dorms may or may not have as much cleaning to worry about as previously, but we still have to do it, and it takes time.  Cleaning is a physical activity that for many is made easier by the accompaniment of music.  If you're brave enough you can even dance as you clean.  

2)Make it a Contest (yes, even with yourself)
When out grocery shopping, try to beat your savings records.  Make it a contest with yourself by seeing how well you can track down deals at the supermarket and beat your previous record.  It can be fun and save you money.

3)Keep a Progress Chart
I have about five progress charts hanging up on my bulletin board in my bedroom.  They are each for various projects or goals.  Whenever I accomplish specific tasks, I mark off my progress.  I also have occasional checkpoints that constitute a personal reward.  Despite how pathetic, that may sound, it works.  One result of this is that I can keep up on long-term projects and avoid my usual procrastination.  Making a point system to reward oneself is also beneficial.

4)Role Play
Do you have a hefty, dry slice of reading to do for a class?  Read it in an accent, either in your head or out loud.  This may be my favorite of the list.  It can keep you alert and entertained while reading.  You have to make a more conscientious effort to focus on the words and the flow of words, which for me at least increases my understanding.  Accents can be fun without being offensive.  And why not simultaneously work on your Australian accent as you read?  Such a skill could score countless dates.  (Don't do that.)

5)Make it Artistic
Try to make a cheap and ordinary meal look exquisite.


6)Develop a Rhythm
Really redundant and monotonous tasks can be done to a rhythm.  I associate this technique more with physical tasks.  Maybe with sweeping, hammering nails, or painting a wall.  If you can get a rhythm in place, your effort can be less conscious.

7)Do it with a Friend
Misery loves company?

8)Unnecessary Rules
A lot of times when I go up large sets of stairs, like going up the RB stairs when I'm out for a run, I make it a rule that I have to skip every other stair.  It makes me think less of the climb without actually lessening the climb.

There are definitely other categories and great specific examples that you may have to gamify the not-so-fun parts of life.  There are plenty of examples other than and better than the ones I brainstormed.  Share them and use them, they can really help.  I have tried a couple of these techniques in my life recently, and I'm interested in any more others could come up with.  It truly is very effective and I think we should consider incorporating this more to a personal level.