How can you turn this into a game?
Transform chores into fun and rewarding quests.
When something feels like a slog and your motivation disappears, ask yourself:
🤔 How can I turn this into a game?
If you’ve ever struggled to stick with something, whether it’s a daily routine, a personal project, or just drinking more water, consider this: our minds love good games. We’re drawn to clear goals, small wins with immediate rewards, visible progress, variety, a storyline, the right amount of challenge, and maybe even teammates. Why not use that to make things more fun? Here’s how to turn an activity into something we actually want to come back to.
Games have specific objectives. Our activities should too. Vague intentions like being more productive or getting healthier are easy to put off. Clear targets give us something solid to complete. One page. Ten minutes. A single glass of water. When the goal is specific, doable, and something we chose for ourselves, we're more likely to follow through.
Games make progress visible. A simple tracker or calendar can go a long way. Every checkmark is a small win and instant feedback on our effort. Watching our streak grow feels good. It shows that effort counts, and that we're moving forward, even on hard days.
Games have levels and power-ups. Start small, then add variety or challenge over time. It helps to set a few levels in advance so we have clear goals to aim for. At the same time, staying flexible lets us adjust challenges based on how things are going. Think of it as setting a loose path, not strict rules. Like unlocking levels, we might begin by walking five minutes, then try a new route, and later walk with a friend. Just like a trail with new views around each bend, small changes keep things fresh and worth returning to.
Games give us immediate rewards. Our activities shouldn’t make us wait for satisfaction either. After we complete a mini-goal, we should do something enjoyable like checking it off, listening to a favorite song, stretching, or just smiling. It doesn’t have to be big, just enough to feel good about the activity.
Games often have a social side, as we have a fundamental need for connection. A little support, encouragement, or playful rivalry can go a long way. Whether it's sharing a streak or teaming up for a week, making it social helps us stick with it and enjoy it more.
Games have a storyline that gives players a sense of purpose and direction. We can make our activities more meaningful by seeing them as part of a bigger story, whether it’s improving our health, mastering a skill, or building better habits. Thinking of our efforts as chapters in that story gives each step purpose. This narrative helps keep us motivated and gives us a reason to keep going, even when things get tough. Over time, that story can shift how we see ourselves, as someone becoming the kind of person we want to be.
When we turn life’s challenges into a game, we unlock a powerful way to stay motivated and enjoy the journey. So today, pick one thing that feels like a chore and turn it into a game. Start small, enjoy the process, and watch chores become less like work and more like something you want to do.
