Make it a Game

There are many times in life when you have to do things that "don't matter," but that still have to get done. For many people, this happens in their jobs or educations. Small tasks or specific ways that things have to be done that seem completely pointless, but are none the less forced on you by some sort of authority. Those of you that have experienced military training know this especially well. Today we're going to talk about one of the ways to deal with and defeat these things: You make it a game, and you play to win.

What Is Your Game?

Your boss wants memos or E-mails written a certain way. Your professor demands a certain font, or a certain style of writing. Your drill sergeant smokes you into oblivion if your underwear isn't folded at precisely the right dimensions (yes, they measure).

At some point in your life, you've encountered some kind of restriction or specification that has frustrated you or at the very least made you question the purpose behind it. And that's good, you SHOULD question it. But sometimes, and often more often than you'd like, you have to comply with whatever it is. It might be because it turns out there IS a reason, or it might be because fighting it simply isn't worth it. Either way, you are stuck doing this thing, this way.

Most people at this point would just do the bare minimum to get by, making their resentment and dislike of the circumstances obvious each time, the entire time. But those people are only adding to their own misery. Is skating by at the lowest possible standard, just above failure, somehow making that task or standard go away? No, of course not. If anything, it will only bring down that authority on you more harshly for so obviously slacking.

So you have a choice to make. You can either be miserable, or you can decide to excel. Naturally, you're going to choose to excel. And one of the ways you can do this is to turn whatever this thing is into a game.

What Are The Rules?

Identify the full scope of what the rule, task, or requirement is. Understand it completely, the same way you would a game you were playing for actual fun. Ask questions. Learn how, learn why. Rather than resisting or avoiding whatever it is, embrace it.

Once you learn the rules, play the game to win at every possible opportunity. Type the memo in exactly the right font and size. Fold your underwear precisely and measure it yourself. Be early instead of just on time.

Rather than just complying, you are excelling. This accomplishes several things. First and foremost, it gets you out of the negative mindset of being forced or compelled. Now it's YOUR choice, because YOU'VE decided you're going to attack this thing and blow past all expectations. Secondly, it will improve your relationship the person or people imposing whatever it is, especially if everyone else is just skating by. And lastly, it will make you a better person, by giving you practice at swallowing your pride and being disciplined.

If you have to play either way, play to win and come out on top.

What Games Are In Your Life?

As always, I want to hear from all of you. Tell us about the challenges you've turned into games, and how you've won.