The Psychology of Game Playing: Creating Good Habits & Having Great Thoughts
Puzzle by Billy Alexander
This week I want to really explore how taking a playful approach to your conscious and unconscious pursuits can be so successful.
I have posted on a number of occasions on this subject matter, including on:
– The use of simple games/ tools to get things done or shift habits
– ‘Choice architecture’ to nudge to change
– Unconsciously restricting time to create focused creativity
Thoughts on the ‘why’ of the success of using simple games to shift habits have included:
- Does game playing lessen the ‘weight’ of the reactive response? Does it remove resistance because the new routine to be adopted is being done so as a game/ challenge as opposed to a mental challenge? It is therefore made ‘neutral’ by the game. – How Easily Simplicity tips into Bad Habits
- By accepting our ‘peopleness’ and suggesting rather than telling we have greater success in change. – Nudge Yourself to Change
- We don’t like being told what to do. Using a simple ‘light-touch approach’ to change hooks you into change easier that having a great set of ‘worthy’ reasons why the change is good. – Good Habits, Bad Habits and the Breaking of Both
But, to be honest, I’ve only really scratched the surface and I’m intrigued as to the why for the following reasons: Read more…
Just Seven Things 