One of the reasons why video games are so popular and so easy to play for hours is because they set up quantifiable goals that allow you to understand whether you’re being successful or failing. It’s not just save the princess; it’s save the princess while scoring the most points or doing so in the fastest time. Hardcore gamers will sit for hours trying to gain levels, get treasure, discover secrets, complete side quests, and feel accomplished. Even gamers who play Match 3 games or Farmville have goals they can measure – one more level to complete or a certain score to attain. The numbers are tracked, saved, compared to your friends, and celebrated when milestones are reached.

Your IRL goals need to be set up the same way. No matter what you want to achieve, there are tasks that have to be done beforehand. In writing, you have to research and then need to write 40,000 to 80,000 words before you have a book. Give yourself a week to do the research and the write 2,000 words a day. Can’t manage 2,000 words because of family, jobs, or reasons? Try 500 words a day. Even if you can only write 200 words a day, you’ll have a book at the end of the year. Keep track of the number of words: these are your points. At every 10,000 words, celebrate: you’ve made it to the next level.

If writing isn’t your thing, but you have something that’s going to take time, set up your goals, write them down, and post them some place you’ll see them every day. Then start knocking out your goals and getting your rewards and points for real-life accomplishments.

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