Engagement or Thought. At Which Are You Better?

You can’t play games and not be engaged! That’s why so many of us gamers become so good at it. When you’re engaged, you remember 90% of the information provided to you. That’s why it’s so important to pick the right games. Before you object to this last statement. Right game is different for each one of us.

“Clarity Comes from Engagement, Not Thought.” – Marie Forleo

Let’s get back to games and engagement. I usually write how you could transfer what you’ve learned in games in your real life. How the heck could you transfer engagement? I’m glad you asked! Here is what I’ve found is working for me – you just make every activity a game. Before you do that, you must discover some answers for yourself.

1. What’s most engaging in a game for you? Could be achievements, progress, winning.
2. How can you apply those motivations to move you through your To-Do list?

Okay okay, I know this sounds too theoretical. Here is what I do. I found out that making progress, evolving and completing achievements are the most beneficial things for me in a game. So, my To-Do list for the week (I also found by trial and error that week period works best for me) has some tasks and how they are measured: hours, numbers of training sessions, actions to complete. So, next thing is I make up a game where I have targets (achievements) and I also have to check each session, hour and so on (progress). There are two more elements which I’m using. First one is, every time I reach a milestone I reward myself with some game time, reading or whatever leisure experience I find most useful. Second, I’m doing a review every week (I admit I’ve stolen this practice from SCRUM methodology) and make small tweaks and improvements here and there.

The more you act, the clearer your steps to achieving your goals will become. Transfer this skill from games to your life and let me know the results.

* One last caution remark. Engaging in a game could be a great experience, but you must make sure you’re not using games as a procrastination mechanism. More on this topic next week.

Keep learning and may the Force be with you!