## Life admin gamification [(00:00:00)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hInwHw4cMpU&t=0s) - Life admin tasks, such as taking care of health, managing finances, and connecting with friends, can be challenging to keep up with, especially when life gets busy [(00:00:15)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hInwHw4cMpU&t=15s). - In 2025, a new approach to life admin tasks is being implemented, focusing on making them more fun and incentivizing completion to achieve a more balanced life [(00:00:26)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hInwHw4cMpU&t=26s). - This approach is called life admin gamification, which involves turning life admin tasks into a game to increase motivation and productivity [(00:00:29)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hInwHw4cMpU&t=29s). - The system includes a general overview of the game, specifics on how the game works, and information on how to get involved for those interested in implementing it in their own lives [(00:00:42)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hInwHw4cMpU&t=42s). ## Why gamify your life? [(00:00:44)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hInwHw4cMpU&t=44s) - Finding balance in life is challenging, and often work takes precedence over other aspects of life, despite enjoying one's job and finding value in it [(00:00:46)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hInwHw4cMpU&t=46s). - Spending too much time working can lead to burnout, feeling uncreative, and a general sense of frustration about not doing more enjoyable activities [(00:00:59)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hInwHw4cMpU&t=59s). - The immediate rewards from work create a positive feedback loop that keeps one focused on work and puts other activities on the back burner [(00:01:16)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hInwHw4cMpU&t=76s). - A new gamification system is being implemented to reward oneself for doing tasks outside of work that are either enjoyable or beneficial, but may not have immediate noticeable payoffs [(00:01:27)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hInwHw4cMpU&t=87s). - The goal of this system is to incentivize oneself to complete tasks that don't feel immediately rewarding, but are still important or desirable [(00:01:51)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hInwHw4cMpU&t=111s). - This approach can be helpful for those seeking more balance in life or wanting to add an element of fun to their daily activities [(00:01:55)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hInwHw4cMpU&t=115s). ## How the game works [(00:02:01)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hInwHw4cMpU&t=121s) - Life is divided into key areas that a person wants their game to cover, which can include all life areas or just specific ones to focus on [(00:02:06)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hInwHw4cMpU&t=126s). - Once key areas are decided, tasks or activities to be done more in those areas are considered and listed [(00:02:17)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hInwHw4cMpU&t=137s). - Each task on the list is assigned a certain number of points or XP [(00:02:22)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hInwHw4cMpU&t=142s). - As tasks are completed throughout the year, points or XP are gained [(00:02:26)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hInwHw4cMpU&t=146s). - The gained points work towards leveling up a character [(00:02:30)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hInwHw4cMpU&t=150s). - As the character levels up, it receives rewards [(00:02:32)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hInwHw4cMpU&t=152s). - The game is designed in an RPG style, with a system of leveling up and receiving rewards [(00:02:39)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hInwHw4cMpU&t=159s). ## Character [(00:02:40)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hInwHw4cMpU&t=160s) - A character can be designed for the game, but it has been decided that the character will just be the person playing the game, as the goal is personal improvement [(00:02:44)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hInwHw4cMpU&t=164s). - Alternatively, a fantasy-inspired character can be chosen, such as an elf, a fay, a gnome, or a magical creature, with the option to be a basic human as well [(00:02:51)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hInwHw4cMpU&t=171s). - The most important aspect of the character is feeling responsible for them in a positive way, with the goal of doing things that will earn experience points to level up [(00:03:07)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hInwHw4cMpU&t=187s). ## Skills [(00:03:13)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hInwHw4cMpU&t=193s) - Life areas or skills in the game refer to different areas of life that are included to level up or get things done, and individuals can choose to include all areas or limit them to specific ones they want to focus on [(00:03:13)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hInwHw4cMpU&t=193s). - The skills or life areas can be given RPG-inspired names for inspiration, such as Vitality for physical health, Spirit for mental health, Insight for personal development, Stewardship for home environment, Prosperity for Financial Health, [[Charisma]] for social connection, and Gaiety for leisure and fun [(00:03:47)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hInwHw4cMpU&t=227s). - An additional category called Initiative can be created for tasks that one initially feels resistance towards doing, to encourage taking action instead of procrastinating [(00:04:08)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hInwHw4cMpU&t=248s). - The categories or life areas included in the game are completely up to the individual, as everyone's life areas and priorities are different [(00:04:31)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hInwHw4cMpU&t=271s). - Work can be included as a category, but it may not be necessary for everyone, especially if they already have a reward system in place for their job, and can be renamed to fit the game's theme, such as "Trade" or "Career" [(00:04:39)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hInwHw4cMpU&t=279s). - The names of the categories can be kept as is or renamed to fit a fantasy RPG theme, depending on personal preference [(00:04:50)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hInwHw4cMpU&t=290s). ## Tasks [(00:04:52)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hInwHw4cMpU&t=292s) - To determine tasks or activities to focus on, consider what actions you want to do more of within each life area or skill, whether it's for personal growth or to bring more fun and joy into your life [(00:04:56)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hInwHw4cMpU&t=296s). - Brainstorm different sub-areas in each life area to identify specific tasks or actions you want to do on a regular basis, which can help make it feel like you're taking care of that area of your life [(00:05:09)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hInwHw4cMpU&t=309s). - Tasks and actions can be daily, weekly, or monthly, and are typically repeated over time, rather than one-off projects [(00:05:33)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hInwHw4cMpU&t=333s). - It's not necessary to list every single possibility in each life area, as this can lead to analysis paralysis, and you can add more tasks as you go along [(00:05:42)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hInwHw4cMpU&t=342s). - A good starting point is to have at least three or four options in each life area, and you can add more as you progress [(00:06:07)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hInwHw4cMpU&t=367s). - To create a more in-depth list, set a timer for 20-30 minutes to time-restrict your brainstorming, which helps stay on task and avoid spending too much time thinking of every single detail [(00:06:17)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hInwHw4cMpU&t=377s). ## Points [(00:06:33)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hInwHw4cMpU&t=393s) - The goal is to assign points to each task, with the points counting towards leveling up and getting rewards, and the number of points gained is associated with completing tasks [(00:06:34)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hInwHw4cMpU&t=394s). - Three main considerations are taken into account when assigning points to each task: the difficulty of the task, the timeliness or time intensity of the task, and personal preferences [(00:06:53)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hInwHw4cMpU&t=413s). - More difficult tasks, time-intensive tasks, and tasks that are personally unappealing are assigned more points to incentivize completion [(00:06:57)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hInwHw4cMpU&t=417s). - There is no specific formula for balancing these considerations, and it is a matter of personal preference [(00:07:21)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hInwHw4cMpU&t=441s). - A 1-3-5 point scale is used, with five-point tasks feeling like a big accomplishment and providing a decent chunk of points compared to one-point tasks [(00:07:29)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hInwHw4cMpU&t=449s). - The task list is reviewed, and points are assigned to each task based on difficulty, time intensity, and personal opinion [(00:07:52)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hInwHw4cMpU&t=472s). - Tasks on the list are those that are done regularly or repeatedly, whether daily, weekly, or monthly, and will come up multiple times [(00:07:55)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hInwHw4cMpU&t=475s). ## Bonus points [(00:08:05)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hInwHw4cMpU&t=485s) - Bonus points are rewards for completing special or bigger tasks that require multiple steps, and they are not for one-off repeated actions [(00:08:06)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hInwHw4cMpU&t=486s). - These bonus points are tied to specific skill areas, such as Financial Health or Prosperity, personal development or insight, and mental health or Spirit [(00:08:24)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hInwHw4cMpU&t=504s). - Examples of projects that earn bonus points include reaching a certain savings goal, making a personal Knowledge Management System, and doing a quarterly reset [(00:08:26)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hInwHw4cMpU&t=506s). - Each project has a point value of 5, 10, or 15 points, depending on the difficulty, time intensiveness, and how unappealing the task is [(00:08:49)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hInwHw4cMpU&t=529s). - More points are assigned to tasks that are more difficult, more time-intensive, or less appealing [(00:09:00)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hInwHw4cMpU&t=540s). ## Skill levels [(00:09:07)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hInwHw4cMpU&t=547s) - Projects and actions have points associated with them, and these points contribute to leveling up a character in a game-like system [(00:09:07)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hInwHw4cMpU&t=547s). - The game has two types of leveling: character levels and skill levels, with skill levels being the focus of this discussion [(00:09:14)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hInwHw4cMpU&t=554s). - Skill levels are achieved by completing tasks that fall under a specific skill area, and the points accumulated do not reset across the year [(00:09:19)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hInwHw4cMpU&t=559s). - As the required number of points for each level is reached, the skill level is increased, with the points required for each level being customizable [(00:09:28)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hInwHw4cMpU&t=568s). - For example, the physical health or Vitality skill requires 40 points to reach level one, 80 points to reach level two, and 120 points to reach level three [(00:09:32)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hInwHw4cMpU&t=572s). - The assignment of points required for each level is up to the individual, with further discussion on this topic to follow [(00:09:44)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hInwHw4cMpU&t=584s). ## Character levels [(00:09:50)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hInwHw4cMpU&t=590s) - Character levels are distinct from skill levels, with character levels considering points across all areas, whereas skill levels are achieved by collecting points in one skill area [(00:09:50)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hInwHw4cMpU&t=590s). - Points from various areas, including vitality, spirit, and prosperity, contribute to increasing the character level [(00:10:02)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hInwHw4cMpU&t=602s). - Character levels are tied to the month, allowing for a maximum increase of one character level per month [(00:10:11)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hInwHw4cMpU&t=611s). - This results in a maximum of 12 character levels for the entire year, promoting a consistent approach to different life areas [(00:10:18)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hInwHw4cMpU&t=618s). - The character level system aims to encourage a balanced life by preventing the focus on a single area at the expense of others [(00:10:30)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hInwHw4cMpU&t=630s). - The system is designed to promote a more consistent and balanced approach to life, rather than focusing on completing tasks at specific points [(00:10:33)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hInwHw4cMpU&t=633s). ## Example [(00:10:37)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hInwHw4cMpU&t=637s) - Leveling is achieved by accumulating points in different skill areas, such as Vitality or physical health, with each point counting towards both the skill leveling and the character leveling for a specific month [(00:10:38)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hInwHw4cMpU&t=638s). - Points in each skill area are cumulative and do not reset, allowing for skill leveling at any time when the necessary number of points is reached, such as 40 points to reach level one in Vitality [(00:11:01)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hInwHw4cMpU&t=661s). - Character levels, on the other hand, only level up at the end of the month if the necessary number of points is reached, which is 550 points for the end of January [(00:11:23)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hInwHw4cMpU&t=683s). - The points towards the next character level reset at the start of a new month, while the points in each skill area remain and can count towards skill leveling across the whole year [(00:11:56)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hInwHw4cMpU&t=716s). - Points collected in each skill area count towards those skills and also towards the character level for the overall monthly total, but a set amount of points must be reached in the month across all skill areas to level up the character [(00:12:12)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hInwHw4cMpU&t=732s). - Each character level is only dictated by the points accumulated within the month, with the value resetting at the start of each month [(00:12:28)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hInwHw4cMpU&t=748s). ## Level point requirements [(00:12:33)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hInwHw4cMpU&t=753s) - The number of points required to reach each level can be determined arbitrarily, but it's also possible to make each subsequent level require the same number of points or have each skill area require the same number of points, however, a different approach was taken [(00:12:34)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hInwHw4cMpU&t=754s). - The chosen approach didn't want all skill areas to require the same number of points, as some life areas have more tasks to complete and some are harder to do tasks in, making it unfair to have the same finish line [(00:12:54)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hInwHw4cMpU&t=774s). - A template was created to help calculate the number of points for each level, which involves listing life areas and tasks, assigning points to each task, and considering how many times each task would be done in a perfect month [(00:13:28)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hInwHw4cMpU&t=808s). - The template also takes into account the difficulty of each life area by rating them out of 10, with higher numbers for fun and easy ones and lower numbers for difficult ones, which scales the level requirements accordingly [(00:14:09)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hInwHw4cMpU&t=849s). - The point requirements for each skill level and character level are different, reflecting the difficulty of certain life areas or the number of tasks associated with them, and can be used as a starting point [(00:14:32)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hInwHw4cMpU&t=872s). - For example, the prosperity life area has fewer tasks and is not particularly difficult, resulting in different point requirements compared to other life areas [(00:14:47)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hInwHw4cMpU&t=887s). ## Rewards [(00:14:55)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hInwHw4cMpU&t=895s) - Earning points and leveling up is a good incentive, and offering rewards for reaching new levels provides an immediate and fun payoff for getting things done [(00:14:55)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hInwHw4cMpU&t=895s). - Rewards will be assigned for each possible skill level and character level, ideally related to the life area they are associated with to ensure they are actually incentivizing [(00:15:14)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hInwHw4cMpU&t=914s). - The rewards should be things that are desired, as undesired rewards will not be effective motivators, and they should also be scaled appropriately to the level being reached [(00:15:25)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hInwHw4cMpU&t=925s). - Rewards that are too extravagant for the level achieved can feel misaligned with the effort required and may undermine the work being done in that category [(00:15:40)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hInwHw4cMpU&t=940s). - It is not necessary to fill in all the rewards at the start of the game, but knowing what is coming up for the first three to four levels can help keep motivation [(00:15:51)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hInwHw4cMpU&t=951s). ## Information capture [(00:15:59)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hInwHw4cMpU&t=959s) - Information capture is achieved through a combination of a journal and a spreadsheet, with the choice of storage method being a matter of personal preference [(00:16:12)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hInwHw4cMpU&t=972s). - The journal is divided into a year collections Journal and an everyday Journal, with the year collections Journal containing a summary sheet to outline the mission, character levels, and skill levels [(00:16:20)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hInwHw4cMpU&t=980s). - The everyday Journal has a pocket for storing a task list, which summarizes the number of points for each task, and a space to outline projects and their associated points [(00:16:36)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hInwHw4cMpU&t=996s). - The journal also includes a reward system, with pages outlining the points needed for each level and the rewards achieved when those points are reached [(00:16:50)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hInwHw4cMpU&t=1010s). - Monthly pages are planned to track statistics and summarize life areas focused on, but the structure of these pages has not been decided yet [(00:17:00)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hInwHw4cMpU&t=1020s). - A spreadsheet is used to record points and tasks, allowing for autopopulation of task XP and automatic calculation of points in each skill area and overall [(00:17:14)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hInwHw4cMpU&t=1034s). - The spreadsheet template is available in the description box, and it includes functionality for tracking points and calculating XP [(00:17:36)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hInwHw4cMpU&t=1056s). ## Other gamification styles [(00:17:41)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hInwHw4cMpU&t=1061s) - Life admin gamification can be approached in various ways, and one system is not the only way to do it [(00:17:41)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hInwHw4cMpU&t=1061s). - Elements of a system can be taken and tweaked, or a completely different style of game can be used as a base [(00:17:51)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hInwHw4cMpU&t=1071s). - A community Discord space is available for people to discuss and share their life admin gamification systems, and it is dedicated to designing and having fun with these systems [(00:18:10)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hInwHw4cMpU&t=1090s). - The community Discord space can be accessed through a link in the description box or by using a QR code on screen [(00:18:22)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hInwHw4cMpU&t=1102s). - The community is a space for people to cheer each other on and discuss how they are gamifying their lives for the year ahead [(00:18:29)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hInwHw4cMpU&t=1109s). ## Getting started [(00:18:31)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hInwHw4cMpU&t=1111s) - To get started with gamifying life, the first step is to pick the life areas to include and exclude, and optionally rename them if desired [(00:18:34)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hInwHw4cMpU&t=1114s). - The next step is to select specific tasks that fall under each life area, considering daily, weekly, monthly, or other frequencies [(00:18:44)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hInwHw4cMpU&t=1124s). - After creating the list of tasks, assign points to each task, with more challenging, time-intensive, or unappealing tasks receiving more points to incentivize completion [(00:18:55)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hInwHw4cMpU&t=1135s). - A leveling system should be established, defining the number of points required to reach each level (e.g., level one, two, three) in each skill area and for character leveling each month [(00:19:07)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hInwHw4cMpU&t=1147s). - A template is available to help with calculating the points needed for each level, accessible in the description box [(00:19:19)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hInwHw4cMpU&t=1159s). - Once life areas, tasks, points, and leveling requirements are set, the next step is to establish an information capture system, such as a journal or spreadsheet, to track progress [(00:19:24)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hInwHw4cMpU&t=1164s). ## Life gamification journal ideas [(00:19:37)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hInwHw4cMpU&t=1177s) - There are layouts available that can help with life admin gamification, which can be found in a separate video [(00:19:38)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hInwHw4cMpU&t=1178s). - The separate video contains layouts for tracking leveling, side quests, and more [(00:19:44)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hInwHw4cMpU&t=1184s). - The video with life admin gamification layouts is recommended to be checked out next [(00:19:40)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hInwHw4cMpU&t=1180s). ## Sources - [website](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hInwHw4cMpU)