Why video games are so addicting, and how we can use that to create a life and business we want to play.
Have you ever found yourself so immersed in a video game that hours pass like minutes? The thrill of leveling up, conquering challenges, and progressing toward a clear goal is captivating. Yet, in our daily lives, we often struggle to find the same excitement and purpose.
I used to spend countless hours gaming, chasing that next achievement or rare item or a higher rank. But outside the virtual world, I felt stuck—lacking direction and motivation. It felt like life was happening to me, like I wasn’t in control of where it was headed.
Without a change, this lack of control becomes our norm. We risk living on autopilot, missing out on real-world achievements that bring lasting fulfillment. But what if we could harness the elements that make video games so compelling and apply them to our lives?
Video games masterfully tap into our psychology, keeping us engaged and motivated. Here's how they do it and how we can apply these principles to real life:
In Games: There's always a big, compelling goal—defeat the final boss, save the kingdom, reach the highest level. This clear objective drives players to persist, no matter how challenging the journey.
In Life: Define a compelling vision for yourself. What is the big goal that excites you? The more meaningful the goal, the more motivated you'll be to work toward it, even when tasks seem mundane or impossible.
In Games: You always know your current level, stats, and the next steps to advance. Progress is visual and immediate.
Example: In Minecraft, players can see exactly what they've built and what resources they need next. In World of Warcraft, you know what level you have to achieve to enter a new area or unlock powerful gear.
In Life: Establish clear milestones and track your progress. Break down your big goal into smaller, manageable tasks with measurable outcomes. Tools like journals, apps, or progress trackers can help visualize your journey and keep you motivated.
In Games: Players receive constant rewards—experience points, new abilities, rare items. Each reward triggers a dopamine release, making the game enjoyable and addictive.
Example: In games like Diablo or World of Warcraft, defeating an enemy grants experience points that flash on the screen, accompanied by satisfying sounds and visuals. Leveling up comes with fanfare—a swirl of light, triumphant music, and cool new abilities.
In Life: Create a system of rewards for yourself. Celebrate small victories and milestones. Recognize your achievements, no matter how minor they may seem. This positive reinforcement keeps you engaged and makes the journey enjoyable.
In Games: They are designed to keep you in a "flow state," where tasks are challenging but achievable. This balance prevents boredom and frustration.
In Life: Set goals that stretch your abilities but are attainable. Continuously seek opportunities that push you out of your comfort zone just enough to promote growth without causing overwhelm.
Transform your life into an engaging game by following these steps:
Just as a game starts with a mission, begin by defining what you want to achieve. Your vision doesn't have to be perfect—it just needs to be compelling enough to get you moving.
Action Step: Write down your big goal. Make it specific and inspiring.
Like quests in a game, break your vision into smaller goals. Divide them into yearly, quarterly, monthly, and daily tasks. This makes large objectives manageable.
Action Step: Create a roadmap with milestones and deadlines.
Identify the skills you need to achieve your goals and work on improving them. Think of it as leveling up your character to unlock new abilities.
Action Step: List the skills to develop and find resources or courses to help you improve.
Use tools to monitor your advancement. Seeing your progress will keep you motivated, much like watching your character level up in a game.
Action Step: Use a journal, app, or spreadsheet to log your achievements and reflect regularly.
Set up a reward system for achieving milestones. This reinforces positive behavior and keeps the journey enjoyable.
Action Step: Plan rewards for yourself when you reach specific goals.
Approach obstacles as in-game challenges that help you grow. Each difficulty overcome is an opportunity to learn and advance.
Action Step: When faced with a challenge, reframe it as a level to beat or a boss to conquer.
We enjoy video games because they mimic the process of achieving goals in real life—but on an accelerated timeline. In games, leveling up can take hours; in life, it might take years. Yet, the satisfaction of progress is universal.
By gamifying your life, you tap into that powerful motivation system. Set your vision, break down your goals, level up your skills, and embrace the journey. After all, life is the most immersive game you'll ever play.
Life is the ultimate game, filled with endless levels to explore and bosses to defeat. By applying the principles that make video games engaging, you can transform your approach to life and business.
Remember, the only way to lose the game of life is to not play.