Idea #30: “Life as a Game”
Using game mechanics to motivate a person to achieve their own goals. Giving points for achievements and streaks of achievement would build towards rewards that the user set up for themselves.
For example: Let’s say I want to lose 10 lbs. So I decide that I’ll walk 10,000 steps per day. If I do this for one day, I get 10 points. If i do this for a second day in a row, I get 15 points, etc. (extra points for the streak). If I achieve 500 points, then I can eat a cheeseburger (assuming that is something I have given up). Or if I lose 10 lbs, then I can get the Vibram FiveFinger shoes that I’ve been wanting, etc…Essentially you set up your own rules and the system lets you track your progress and rewards for achievement in a set of rules that you define.
Known Implementations:
- Epic Win (iPhone app link) – thanks to Smythe Richbourg for the pointer
Related:
- Kyle Bragger’s streakly
- loseitorloseit.com
- Buster Benson’s HealthMonth
- Chore Wars
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This is a fun idea. I once ran across a site that turned chores into a game, where you could also form groups (family, office mates) and compete for prizes. It was less goal oriented and more chore oriented.
Jon, that’s interesting. That brings to mind Famigo Games. Perhaps integrate their stuff in so that families could compete against each other on household chores or other goals.
Damon, this is cool idea. A while ago I was trying to think of a way to do something like within a social group (ideally of people with similar goals) for mutual encouragement/accountability/etc. I can congratulate people on their success, get inspired by them or send them a message asking why they haven’t updated in a while. More importantly you have something in common so you can share ways to accomplish goals etc.