People have goals. Apparently, (most) games have goals too. Gamifying Life means we play a game with a goal that is aligned with our goals. Thus let's review what types of goals people can have. On the most basic levels there are two strongest meta-goals: 𝘀𝘂𝗿𝘃𝗶𝘃𝗮𝗹 and 𝗿𝗲𝗽𝗿𝗼𝗱𝘂𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻. Survival meta-goal is about doing everything that decreases the possibility of a person's death. Reproduction meta-goal is twofold: is about doing everything that increases the probability of extending person genes and/or memes. Extending genes is rather self-explanatory - is about having children and raising them. Extending memes is about leaving some legacy - that is some product of our work that we will be remembered for by other people when we are gone. Majority of things people do and most of the goals people have can be explained in pursuing one or both of these meta-goals. From the game design perspective it's important to understand that 𝗽𝗲𝗼𝗽𝗹𝗲 𝗱𝗼𝗻'𝘁 𝗻𝗲𝗰𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗮𝗿𝗶𝗹𝘆 𝘄𝗮𝗻𝘁 𝘁𝗼 𝗮𝗰𝗵𝗶𝗲𝘃𝗲 𝗮 𝗰𝗲𝗿𝘁𝗮𝗶𝗻 𝗴𝗼𝗮𝗹 𝗯𝘂𝘁 𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝘄𝗮𝗻𝘁 𝘁𝗼 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝗴𝗿𝗲𝘀𝘀 𝗶𝗻 𝗼𝗻𝗲 𝗼𝗳 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝘀𝗲 𝗺𝗲𝘁𝗮-𝗴𝗼𝗮𝗹𝘀. Why are goals that are related to these meta-goals so important? They give a huge, constant drive to do something. In this sense they are easier to gamify because people can focus on them for a longer period of time. In other words - the game can have more design flaws but still will be working because the goal is important. In another post I will put attention on "weaker goals" that aren't directly coupled with mentioned meta-goals. Let's list most common goals people have and how they relate to each meta-goal. 𝗠𝗼𝗿𝗲 𝗦𝘂𝗿𝘃𝗶𝘃𝗮𝗹 𝗦𝗶𝗱𝗲 - Getting into a healthy lifestyle - Getting a job - Learning a language - Quitting bad habit like drugs, cigarettes, alcohol - Reduce anxiety - Finish education - Learning certain skills (like programming) - Saving money 𝗠𝗼𝗿𝗲 𝗥𝗲𝗽𝗿𝗼𝗱𝘂𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗦𝗶𝗱𝗲 - Be more fit/athletic - Finding a partner - Starting a family - Launch a business - Get a promotion - Be a better parent - Buy a flat/house - Improving relation with others - Actively participating in social life - Developing interpersonal skills