To Become Who You Want To Be, Try These 15 Life Experiments: Octalysis and the Power of Gamification

To Become Who You Want To Be, Try These 15 Life Experiments: Octalysis and the Power of Gamification

In our quest to become the best version of ourselves, we often find ourselves looking for inspiration and guidance. We seek out stories of individuals who have achieved incredible feats and wonder how they managed to do it. What if I told you that there are certain experiments you can try in your own life, experiments that can help you unlock your potential and become the person you've always wanted to be? These experiments may seem unrelated at first glance, but upon closer examination, we can find common points and connect them naturally. One such commonality is the concept of gamification.

Gamification is the process of applying game elements and principles to non-game contexts. It harnesses the power of motivation and engagement that games have mastered over decades, and applies it to various areas of our lives. Yu-kai Chou, a leading expert in gamification, developed the Octalysis framework, a complete gamification framework that identifies eight core drives that motivate us towards certain activities.

One of these core drives is Epic Meaning & Calling. This drive is all about believing that we are doing something greater than ourselves or feeling "chosen" to do something. Think of individuals who devote their time to maintaining a forum or helping to create things for the entire community. They are motivated by the belief that they are part of something bigger. This concept is echoed in the story of a woman who wrote a novel in just 30 days every year for the past decade. She feels a sense of purpose and accomplishment in her yearly writing ritual.

Another core drive is Development & Accomplishment. This drive is all about making progress, developing skills, and overcoming challenges. It is the internal drive that pushes us to improve ourselves. We see this in the story of a procrastinator who committed to running one mile every day for a year. Through this experiment, he learned the importance of consistency, discipline, and the power of small actions adding up to significant results.

Empowerment of Creativity & Feedback is another core drive that gamification taps into. It engages users in a creative process where they have to figure things out and try different combinations. This drive is exemplified in the story of a 12-year-old girl who mastered dubstep dancing solely by using YouTube. She embraced the creative process and experimented with different moves until she became a skilled dancer.

Ownership & Possession is a core drive that motivates individuals by making them feel like they own something. This drive is evident in stories of individuals who collect stamps, puzzle pieces, or even produce a high-quality print magazine. The act of collecting and creating something tangible gives them a sense of ownership and fulfillment.

Social Influence & Relatedness is a core drive that encompasses all the social elements that drive people. It includes mentorship, acceptance, social responses, companionship, competition, and envy. This drive is highlighted in the story of two friends who traveled to four countries to learn four languages in one year, without ever speaking English. Their journey was not only about language acquisition but also about the connections they made with people from different cultures.

Scarcity & Impatience is a core drive that plays on our desire for immediate gratification. It is the drive that motivates us when we can't get something right now, and makes us think about it all day long. This drive was utilized by Facebook when it first started, limiting its availability to only Harvard students initially. The exclusivity and scarcity made people crave access to the platform.

The Octalysis framework also identifies core drives related to unpredictability, loss and avoidance, and curiosity. These drives tap into our desire to find out what will happen next, our aversion to negative outcomes, and our curiosity to explore the unknown. By incorporating these drives into our experiments and life challenges, we can create a sense of excitement and engagement that propels us forward.

Now that we understand the power of gamification and how it can be applied to various aspects of our lives, let's explore three actionable pieces of advice that can help us embark on our own life experiments:

1. Identify your core drives: Take some time to reflect on what truly motivates and drives you. Are you motivated by a sense of purpose? Do you thrive on challenges and accomplishments? Understanding your core drives will help you design experiments that are aligned with your values and passions.

2. Embrace creativity and experimentation: Don't be afraid to try new things and step outside of your comfort zone. Embrace the process of trial and error, and allow yourself to be creative in finding solutions to challenges. The journey itself can be rewarding and fulfilling, regardless of the outcome.

3. Seek social connections and support: We are social beings, and our interactions with others can greatly impact our motivation and success. Surround yourself with people who share your goals and aspirations, and seek mentorship and support from those who have already achieved what you are striving for. Building a strong support network can provide the encouragement and accountability needed to stay motivated and committed.

In conclusion, life experiments can be powerful tools for personal growth and transformation. By incorporating gamification principles and understanding our core drives, we can design experiments that tap into our intrinsic motivation and propel us towards becoming the person we want to be. So, why not embark on your own life experiment today? Start small, stay consistent, and watch as you uncover the limitless possibilities within yourself.