What Game Are You Playing? [Rerelease]

Keith and Laura explore the psychology behind gamification and share real-world examples of how game mechanics can transform your approach to personal development.

Keith’s Efficiency Game

Keith demonstrates how everyday tasks become opportunities for engagement through efficiency challenges. Drawing from his experience in kitchens and cabinet shops, he transforms mundane activities like chopping vegetables or doing dishes into precision games. His approach focuses on measurable improvements. How uniform can the cuts be, how quickly can the task be completed–this turns routine work into satisfying challenges.

However, an important caveat: this gamification tendency can become counterproductive when it leads to perfectionism and analysis paralysis. The key is knowing when to apply game mechanics and when to simply execute.

Laura Overcoming Goal Shame

Laura brings vulnerability to the conversation by sharing her struggle with unearned Disney race medals. A powerful example of how goal shame can paralyze progress. Her breakthrough comes through recognizing successful gamification she already uses, like racing to hang Christmas lights before Keith finishes dishes.

Her planned experiment with 30-minute project timers offers a practical template: create time constraints that add urgency without overwhelming pressure. Laura’s insights highlight that gamification works best when it reduces barriers to starting rather than adding complexity.

The Bigger Picture: Finite vs. Infinite Games

Perhaps most importantly, Laura and Keith explore the difference between finite and infinite games. Understanding that marriage, parenting, and personal growth are infinite games. The goal is continued participation rather than “winning.” Knowing when to compete (finite games) versus when to collaborate (infinite games) can fundamentally shift how you approach life’s biggest challenges. 

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