How could you gamify your life? That is, seeing it and turning it into a game? Is it even possible? And what would be the benefits?
I’m sure you’ve heard the term Gamification!
If not, here’s a definition: “Gamification is the application of game-design elements and game principles in non-game contexts. It can also be defined as a set of activities and processes to solve problems by using or applying the characteristics of game elements.”
Sounds like a new and fancy word to say… “Turn it into a game”.
It’s not a new concept, although the term is. Parents have been using it for years to get their kids to do stuff!
I thought… mmmm …. what about applying it to adults, perhaps in the following areas: changing habits, developing mindfulness and inner knowing / guidance?
So, if you managed to gamify your life… what could be the benefits? Reflecting on this, I think I can see a few:
- Allow the development of more distance and perspective.
- Drop some of the seriousness and actually have more fun.
- Gain clarity / feedback to see where improvements can be made, how you can play better.
- Track how well you’re doing.
- Have a framework to interact with others.
- Develop focus on game objectives.
- Encourage each other to play and improve in game.
On that last point, I could see single player games and also multi-player social games. Imagine a group of ‘players’ collectively encouraging you to develop your inner knowing and self-guidance, creativity and empowerment! I’m excited by that thought.
So what games could we envision?
One that I’ve got with a friend so far has to do with aligning our words to the reality we intend to experience. Words are a good reflection of internally held beliefs which can stop us creating what we desire. Becoming aware of them can be a first step to changing these internal beliefs. So having a partner who will pull you up on language that is misaligned to your desires can be mutually beneficial and a playful way of retraining yourself. You could keep score or not depending on how competitive you want to be, but in the end you are collaborating to create more self-empowerment.
Also, what about practicing your inner-knowing when you meet new people? Intuition requires presence. Practice being aware in the present moment, and tune out all thoughts, other than how things look, sound, smell, and feel around you. Therefore honing many of the skills that can prove essential to tuning into your own guidance. For example, firstly observe externally the person’s body language, tone of voice etc. Then become aware of what they might be feeling in that moment, beyond the words they are saying. You might even try to represent their energy in a colour. Sort out like a shortcut aura! How are you impacted by them? What are your own bodily sensations and feelings in the presence of that person? What impulses arise in you?
Another game could be to related to wondering…
Wondering is a wonderful portal into Magical Flow. Wondering keeps you open and accepting of reality and the Now, developing a sort of equanimity. It feels like it opens the rational mind to the creative mind, opening to the realm of infinite possibility… since in the act of pure wondering there is no limit!
I wonder what I can wonder about? Wow, wonderment squared! What will I wonder with? Or rather…
– What am I wondering with? –
I don’t have a game in mind as I write this… I’m wandering into wonderment…
One thing that comes to mind is to use wondering as a simple structure for enquiry of your inner knowing / guidance…
For example, to enquire into the nature of a relationship or situation: I wonder what X is showing me.
or
I’m trying to improve my diet so… I wonder what would be good for dinner.
So make the transition from a wandering mind to a wondering mind! 🙂 Gamify your life!
I’m curious what your wondering mind reveals about it or about any other topic for that matter.
Photo by Randy Fath on Unsplash
