GAMIFYING WORK
“boring work + added challenge + skill required = game.”
The Lesson
Normal work is boring because it's repetitive without challenge. Games and sports push you to limits and require skill. The trick: add challenge and skill requirements to ordinary tasks. Folding laundry? Find the most efficient technique that requires precision. Cleaning house? Combine tidying with natural movement patterns-carry something every time you change floors. Tell yourself 'look how clever I am to do this so efficiently.' The mental buzz of optimization transforms drudgery into play. Any physical task can become a game if you find a way to make it require skill and approach your limit.
Real-World Example
A founder hates doing expense reports. Drudgery. They gamify: 'Can I process all receipts in under 8 minutes?' They optimize the workflow, find keyboard shortcuts, batch similar items. Now it's a time trial. Another founder hates email: they gamify by trying to write the shortest possible response that still accomplishes the goal. Three words max. It becomes a puzzle. The work doesn't change; the frame does. Challenge + skill = engagement.
Watch Scott explain this lesson
Watch Lesson on Locals →