Is there fun in your days?

Welcome to the Self-performance Strategies Newsletter.

​

The Quick Strategy:

"In every job that must be done, there is an element of fun. You find the fun, and - SNAP - the job's a game!"

- Marry Poppins

​

The One Minute Strategy:

Are you having fun?

​

Fun is such an easy thing to feel and recognize but such a hard thing to create.

Fun is the key to creating motivation and momentum.

But often, you lose sight of fun as a goal and focus more on systems and processes that get your work done.

​

Why do you work so hard?

So you can have more freedom and enjoy life.

But why can't you enjoy life today and have fun while doing it?

Ultimately it is a choice you get to make daily.

I hope you decide to have more fun.

​

The Three Minute Strategy:

Would you like to play a game?

​

Of course, you do.

You may be in a rut, bored of the daily grind, feeling frustrated and overwhelmed.

It's time you spiced things up.

​

Simple games can create smart ways for you to increase your output of work and make your days fun again.

​

Create a race:

Whether racing against the clock or yourself, you can create moments when you sprint towards a finish line.

One of my favourite tricks is using the top of the hour to get a certain amount of work done.

If the clock says 2:23 pm; I go hard until 3 pm.
​

Why is this useful?

Over time this will help you figure out exactly how long it takes you to do certain tasks.

You will instinctively know what takes you 30, 60, or 90 minutes to do.

Allowing you plan your days more effectively.

You get more out of your time.
​

Create a scorecard:

Who doesn't love a rating system?

As a society, you see them everywhere, from hotels to movies.

You should have one for your days.

Score yourself out of 10 each day, but you can't use 7.

It will help you know the difference between good and great days.

​

Why is this useful?

What gets reviewed gets improved.

When you rate a good day, you ask why it was not great or vice-versa.

Soon you start to see positive patterns, pitfalls, and opportunities.

Over time you will know how you create great days and great days help you get paid.

​

Create a reward system:

Be the best boss you ever had and give yourself healthy bonuses.

The employee of the month award goes to...you again.

If you celebrate your wins or stack them to get to a milestone, you will increase your motivation and energy.

Life is an energy game.
​

Why is this useful?

Dopamine baby, you are training your brain to want more wins.

What you enjoy, you want more off.

I love working in 90 sprints, rewarding myself with fun meals or short breaks away as I hit milestones during and at the end of each 1/4 of the year.

It works.
​

Create challenges:

Agree to write 1000 words a day with an accountability partner.

Join a community of other people in your field and set targets for work completion.

Place a bet with others to see who can complete a project 1st.

External motivation can go a long way.

​

Why is this useful?

Studies show you are 65% more likely to meet a goal if you commit to it with another person.

It's also fun to win or lose (not as fun) bets with your friends, and who doesn't like fun?

Healthy competition is good for you and will increase your output.
​

Play more games:

Gamification can help you get more done in less time.

And it can help you have fun while you're doing it.

The grind doesn't have to be boring.

In fact, you are more likely to increase your income when you are having fun.

​

Start playing smart games today.

​

Big love.

Make it a great one,

Stephen