gamify your work

http://www.flickr.com/photos/doonvas/2315357364/

Gamify Your Work

Denise R. Jacobs <AngleBrackets /> Conference Las Vegas, NV 28 October 2013

I am: @denisejacobs This fine event is: #anglebrackets And I’m talkin’ ‘bout: #gamifyingwork

Twitter Game On!

I like to make stuff

I did write this

Speaker + Author + Creativity Evangelist

Used with permission: http://www.flickr.com/photos/aarronwalter/4629076165/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/npobre/2601582256/

Let’s go!

http://www.flickr.com/photos/33909700@N02/3159761620/

Watch this much?

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Like her?

http://www.flickr.com/photos/misterjt/2852023962/

Or him?

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An alternative

In this book…

http://www.flickr.com/photos/avantgame/2283846513/

Some people’s reality

“The opposite of play isn’t work. It’s depression.” - Brian Sutton-Smith, The Ambiguity of Play

Food for thought

Most people’s attitude about work

Could it be like this?

http://www.flickr.com/photos/bibi/5448158773/

Work or games?

http://www.flickr.com/photos/stevekocino/4143481195/

Game on

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Low energy at work?

It’s your neurological system’s indication that you are squandering energy on the wrong goals.

You need to shift focus

Challenge over boredom also Productivity over dissipation

Our natural preference

Photo courtesty of Flickr

But here’s the problem

Source: [5] Work Game

Tasks repetitive, dull repetitive, fun

Feedback once a year constantly

Goals contradictory, vague clear

Path to Mastery unclear clear

Rules unclear, intransparent clear, transparent

Information too much and not enough right amount at the right time

Failure forbidden, punished, don't talk about it

expected, encouraged, spectacular, brag about it

Status of Users hidden transparent, timely

Promotion kiss-up-o-gracy meritocracy

Collaboration yes yes

Speed/Risk low high

Autonomy mid to low high

Narrative only if you are lucky yes

Obstacles accidential on purpose

Work vs. Play

http://www.flickr.com/photos/estevenson/2641282945/

Make work more like play!

Photo from Denise Jacobs

More specifically, play games

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You may ask

“Playing games is more fun than fun.” - Jane McGonigal, Reality is Broken

Because

http://www.flickr.com/photos/awesomefound/5035646358/

Gamefulness

The use of game play mechanics for nongame applications.

Gamification

http://www.flickr.com/photos/fullman/181112810/

Game Mechanics

Principles, rules, and/or mechanisms that govern a behavior through a system of incentives, feedback, and rewards with reasonably predictable outcome. 

Game Mechanics

Achievements Appointments Behavioral Momentum Blissful Productivity Bonuses Cascading Information Theory Combos Community Collaboration Countdown Discovery Epic Meaning Free Lunch

Game Mechanics Infinite Gameplay Levels Loss Aversion Lottery Ownership Points Progression Quests Reward Schedules Status Urgent Optimism Virality

http://isodomos.com/technica/history/1940/1949.php

Game Mechanics are building blocks

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Lego_Color_Bricks.jpg

You can take these blocks

http://www.flickr.com/photos/michale/105825096/

And string them together

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To drive a complex sequence

Temporal evolution and patterns of both the game and the players that make the game (or any gamified activity) more enjoyable.

Gaming Dynamics

•  Rules •  Parameters •  Time limits •  Players •  Environment

Such as

Google Zurich

gMechanics+gDynamics+Work=Awesome

http://www.flickr.com/photos/nicksherman/539896911/

Some pointers

http://www.flickr.com/photos/daquellamanera/3041235238/

Stop multitasking

http://www.flickr.com/photos/angietorres/4564765098/

Figure out some new goals

“In the absence of clearly defined goals, people are forced to concentrate on activity and ultimately become enslaved by it.” - Charles Coonradt, The Game of Work

Food for thought:

Banish the Inner Critic

http://www.flickr.com/photos/mythoto/3822942678/

It’s an inside game

http://www.flickr.com/photos/doonvas/2314546751/

Shift your stress

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Negative stress

You experience negative stress when you are afraid of failure or danger, and perceive pressure coming from external sources.

Negative Stress

http://www.flickr.com/photos/taylor-mcbride/7048678715/

Eustress

Eustress, which comes from internally motivated actions and choices – is stress that we have willingly chosen.

Eustress

Eustress makes people feel focused and optimistic, alert, determined, persistent, and exhilarated. Eustress further makes us more ambitious and likely to succeed, try new things, cooperate with others, and gives us a sense of achievement.

Eustress is good, mmkaay?

Instead of wondering “Can I do this?” ask yourself “How can I do this?”

Game Changer: Change the question

http://www.flickr.com/photos/avantgame/2323853965/

Fiero

Courtesy of Flickr

Caveat Gamer

Play to your strengths

http://www.flickr.com/photos/epublicist/3546059144/

DO NOT focus on your weaknesses

You will only improve 10-15 %

(and it will be painful)

- Tom Rath, Strengths Finder 2.0

Why?

http://www.flickr.com/photos/whatwhat/5460824/

Ready?

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(1) Commit to overcome self-chosen challenges

When you engage in a game, you sign yourself up to tackle unnecessary obstacles in the spirit of learning and having fun. See if you can weave this approach into your work life.

(1) Commit to overcome self-chosen challenges

http://www.flickr.com/photos/heathbar/7390628146/

(2) Set-up clear goals, steps, feedback & rewards

As humans we are optimized to do work and we are happier working hard than relaxing. More satisfying work comes from clear missions, a clear path to get to the desired outcomes, reliable feedback of our progress, and rewards that we value.

(2) Set-up clear goals, steps, feedback & rewards

The faster and more clear the feedback, the more motivated you are to move forward.

Feedback

May not be what you are thinking (ie, money). Sometimes the reward of doing something well, learning something new, helping others, etc. is more than enough.

Rewards

http://www.flickr.com/photos/artnoose/5908811743/

(3) Keep upping the ante

By undertaking a difficult challenge, accomplishing something difficult, participating in moving experiences, and stimulating our curiosity, we stimulate a rush of neurochemicals which make us feel confident, energetic, highly motivated, excited, proud, satisfied, powerful and in control.

Feel the rush

http://www.flickr.com/photos/laughingsquid/2717325940/

Embrace #FAIL

Contrary to popular thought, “fun failure” actually energizes us and lends a sense of urgent, but flexible optimism.

Fun failure

http://www.flickr.com/photos/freakapotimus/376167615/

Urgent Optimism

With urgent optimism comes extreme self-motivation: the desire to act immediately to tackle an obstacle combined with the belief that we have a reasonable hope of success.

Maintain urgent optimism

http://www.flickr.com/photos/shirinwiniger/3680885289/

(4) Make it Epic

Things epic are those of heroic proportions which far surpass the ordinary, especially in size, scale, and intensity.

(4) Make it Epic

Envision yourself embarking upon a challenge that is so awe-inspiring to you

that it makes clear your place in the larger scheme of things, stimulates a desire to

serve, and gives you a sense of reverence or participating in an expansive process

that unites you with others as part of a bigger whole.

Game Changer: An Epic mind game

An outcome that is so extraordinarily positive that is you didn’t know it was possible until you achieved it.

An “Epic Win”

http://www.flickr.com/photos/debord/4932655275/

What’s your gaming personality?

•  Achiever •  Explorer •  Socializer •  Killer

Are you a…?

http://www.flickr.com/photos/clappstar/6297835482/

Achiever

Prefer to gain "points," levels, equipment and other concrete measurements of succeeding in a game. Will go to great lengths to achieve rewards that confer them little or no gameplay benefit simply for the prestige of having it.

Achiever

•  Sign yourself up to win the grand prize in employee competitions

Achiever suggestions

http://www.flickr.com/photos/thivierr/1501007265/

Socializer

Choose to play games for the social aspect, rather than the actual game itself. Gain the most enjoyment from a game by interacting with other players

Socializer

•  Create lunch and learns to help the team share information and learn from each other

Socializer suggestions

http://www.flickr.com/photos/jtcatbagan/1557200142/

Explorer

Prefer discovering areas, creating maps and learning about hidden places.

Explorer

http://www.flickr.com/photos/rene_ehrhardt/2762573549/

Need to look around at their own pace

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Particularly like finding

•  Discover things that people overlook

Explorer suggestions

http://www.flickr.com/photos/hobocracy/389725895/

Game Changer: Find untapped knowledge

http://www.flickr.com/photos/vfsdigitaldesign/6078442869/

Killer

Thrive on competition with other players Most interested in affecting their environment

Killer

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Seek worthy opponents to test skills

•  Create “Collabetition” relationships at work

Killer suggestions

http://www.flickr.com/photos/eyefruit/1097398/

Some tips for

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Curiosity is key

http://www.flickr.com/photos/rituraj64/7935302396/

Create an Epic Meaning Statement

http://www.flickr.com/photos/barretthall/205175534/

“Real-world” quest

http://www.razeware.com/

There’s an app for that

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Minimize Time to Flow

http://www.flickr.com/photos/nostri-imago/3137422976/

The goal?

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Blissful productivity

The sense of being deeply immersed in your work that produces immediate and obvious results.

What’s that?

Finding Flow

Tiny Habits

http://tinyhabits.com/

The structure

http://www.flickr.com/photos/anetq/8543067943/

1.  In the positive

2.  Present tense

2 modifications

Anchor to a current habit

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Congratulate yourself

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Big results

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What will all of this make you?

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Awww yeah!

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Go from unfocused

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To finding focus

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Get your kudos

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Your changes

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Can infect others

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Now’s the time to

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Why?

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And instead of being like this at work

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You can be like this!

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No more being a passive spectator

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Don’t be chicken, get your game on!

http://www.flickr.com/photos/colemama/3941644833/

It’s your move – what’s it going to be?

My books

The CSS Detective Guide CSSDetectiveGuide.com

InterAct With Web Standards: InterActWithWebStandards.com

My chapter: “Learning with the Web”

Smashing Books #3 & #3 1/3 SmashingBook.com

My chapter: “Storytelling in Webdesign”

My articles for further reading netmagazine.com/features/ four-secrets-enhancing-creative-productivity alistapart.com/articles/ reigniting-your-creative-spark/ alistapart.com/articles/ banishing-your-inner-critic/

DeniseJacobs.com

denise@denisejacobs.com

twitter.com/denisejacobs

facebook.com/denisejacobsdotcom

How to find me

Photo used with permission: http://www.flickr.com/photos/aarronwalter/4629078087/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/theredproject/3302110152/

Thank You!