Have you ever found yourself procrastinating on specific tasks you don’t enjoy? Whether it’s housework, making cold calls, or completing mundane chores, we all have responsibilities we’d rather avoid. What if I told you there’s a way to make these tasks more enjoyable and increase your productivity simultaneously? Enter the power of gamifying.
Gamification involves applying game-like elements, such as challenges, rewards, and competition, to non-game contexts. By turning otherwise dull or tedious tasks into fun and engaging activities, gamifying can be a powerful tool to motivate and inspire action. How can this concept be applied to various aspects of our lives?
Turning Housework into a Race:
Nobody enjoys spending hours cleaning and organizing their living space, but what if you turned it into a game? Set a timer and challenge yourself to complete specific tasks within a certain timeframe. Try to beat your previous record or compete with a friend or family member. The race against the clock can transform a mundane chore into an exciting challenge, keeping you focused and motivated.
Speed-Picking Berries:
Heading out to pick berries might not be your idea of a thrilling activity, but incorporating a competitive element can change that. Set a goal to pick a certain amount of berries within a time limit. You can challenge yourself or compete with others to see who can collect the most berries in the shortest amount of time. Not only will you enjoy the thrill of the competition, but you’ll also find yourself accomplishing the task quicker and more enthusiastically. Plus, you will set yourself up for some awesome berry pancakes!
Fast and Efficient Cold Calls:
For many, making cold calls is a dreaded task. However, by applying gamification principles, you can turn it into a more engaging experience. Set targets for yourself, such as making a specific number of calls within a set period. Keep track of your progress and reward yourself for achieving milestones. Adding a sense of challenge and accomplishment motivates you to pick up the phone and make those calls.
According to Zippia “90% of employees say gamification makes them more productive at work. And, on average, employees experience a 48% engagement increase with a gamified work experience. Companies that use gamification are seven times more profitable than those that do not use gamified elements at work—whether with employees or consumers.”
The power of gamifying tasks extends beyond the realm of simple motivation. It taps into the fundamental workings of our brains, triggering the release of dopamine, a neurotransmitter associated with pleasure and reward. When we achieve a goal, complete a challenge, or win a competition, dopamine floods our brains, creating a sense of satisfaction and enjoyment. This positive reinforcement drives us to seek similar experiences, increasing motivation and productivity.
Additionally, gamifying tasks also activates the prefrontal cortex, the part of our brain responsible for executive functions like decision-making and problem-solving. By engaging this region, gamification enhances our cognitive abilities, making us more focused, creative, and efficient in completing tasks.
Furthermore, the social component of gamification plays a crucial role in motivating us. When we introduce competition or collaboration, we tap into our innate desire for social interaction and validation. Sharing progress, competing with friends or colleagues, or even joining online communities dedicated to gamifying tasks can provide the social support and accountability needed to stay motivated and achieve our goals.
The power of gamifying tasks we don’t want to do lies in its ability to transform mundane activities into exciting challenges. By leveraging the brain’s reward system and engaging our competitive spirit, gamification enhances motivation, focus, and productivity.
So, the next time you procrastinate or dread a particular task, consider how to gamify it. Embrace the power of fun, competition, and rewards to unleash your potential and transform those chores into enjoyable and productive activities.
Cindy Jobs, PCAC, PCC
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