Making a decision can’t be fun… can it??
Decision-making is often perceived as a burdensome task, filled with stress—plus it comes with the potential for regret. Then how can it also be fun? Behavioural economists are people who study the psychological, cognitive, emotional, cultural and social factors involved in decisions in terms of how they differ from classic economic theories. They have been studying this and they say that the decision-making process can actually be made into a more enjoyable and engaging experience.
“Life is what you make it”. This is a statement that’s found its way into many quotes, book titles and songs. It may be a bit trite, but there’s some truth to it. In this case, decisions are what you make them—so why not make them fun!
So how can we do it?
One of the most effective ways to make decision-making enjoyable, those same behavioural economists say, is through gamification. Gamification involves applying game design elements to non-game contexts and takes advantage of the natural human desire for competition, achievement, and reward. For example, fitness apps often use points, badges, and leaderboards to motivate users to exercise more regularly.
Lottery and reward systems are another powerful tool in making decisions fun. Some municipalities, for instance, have implemented lottery systems to encourage positive behaviors such as recycling. Residents who recycle correctly can enter a lottery to win prizes, which not only boosts participation rates but also fosters a sense of excitement and community engagement
Another really simple example, is from an initiative that Volkswagen, the German car company, executed back in 2009 called “The Fun Theory”. They conducted several experiments, including one in a transit station in Stolkholm, Sweden. They wanted to see if more people would decide to use the stairs instead of the escalator if it was more fun. So they turned the stairs into piano keys and they saw stair use increase by 66%! You can watch a video here to see it for yourself.
You have the power to infuse more fun into your own decision-making. Part of it is attitude—are you willing to change how you see making decisions? Instead of seeing them simply as being arduous, time-consuming or challenging, you could start seeing them as opportunities. For adventure, growth, change and yes, maybe even fun. Another part might be putting in a bit of extra effort to proactively work through your decision and think of ways to add those elements of fun.
To get the ball rolling for you, you can check out some ideas we’ve come up with to add some enjoyment to a few of life’s bigger decisions.
Tips for infusing fun
Dating
- First dates can be a drag – especially when you find yourself going on so many. Add some gamification to this repetitive and sometimes-awkward step!
- Have a favorite food or dessert? Make a list of the cafes or restaurants in your area that claim to have the best.
- Or have you been meaning to get out and walk more? Make a list of the parks you have yet to visit in your city.
- Use these lists to determine where you meet up with your date and then even if the date is a bust, you’ve tried something or gone somewhere new, while doing something for yourself.
- First dates can be a drag – especially when you find yourself going on so many. Add some gamification to this repetitive and sometimes-awkward step!
- It can be intimidating (not to mention repetitive) to sit face to face with someone new if you’re going on frequent first and second dates. The following resources provide unique date ideas and activities to mix things up and help you get to know someone on a deeper level while having fun!
Articles
- Business Insider: 20 fun first date ideas that’ll keep you engaged and entertained, according to dating coaches
- The Female Professional: Fun Date Ideas To Help You Get To Know Someone
- Buzzfeed: 41 Unique Date Ideas You’ll Wish You Thought Of First
Other cool ideas
- The Adventure Challenge – products to help you deepen your connection through adventure
- Cool to Connect – get to know you prompt cards
Home renting or buying
- Visiting open houses, especially if they’re a bit of a distance away can suck up a lot of time in your day. So make the trip more worth your while by doing some recon on the nieghbourhood. See if there’s a place you can grab lunch or a cup of coffee or a park you can take a stroll in. Knowing more about an area you’re considering living in will also help you to fill out your Decision Tool.
- Real estate platforms like Zillow and Realtor.com can introduce game-like elements where users earn badges or points for viewing homes, attending open houses, or saving their favorite listings. This turns the search into a fun quest.
Choosing a Job
- Platforms like LinkedIn or Glassdoor can offer personality quizzes and career games that match users with potential job roles or companies based on their answers. This approach makes the job search process more engaging and less daunting.
- Some companies can offer virtual job simulations or “day in the life” experiences. Prospective employees can engage in tasks or challenges typical of the job, providing a fun and immersive way to understand the role better.
Making decision-making fun can significantly reduce stress and improve engagement. By incorporating gamification, interactive tools, and engaging content, decision-makers can transform their decision-making journeys.
Sources
“Nudge: The Final Edition” by Richard H. Thaler and Cass R. Sunstein, which provides a comprehensive overview of these and other innovative strategies in choice architecture (AFCPE) (BooksThatSlay).
(AFCPE).