8 Things Game Design Can Fix In Our Jobs

I play a lot of Starcraft—probably 10+ hours a week. I've been reading Jane McGonigal's book Reality is Broken, which explores scientifically-proven reasons why people have gravitated toward virtual worlds for satisfaction over the past two decades.

A friend's tweet sparked my reflection: work demands fewer thoughts than Starcraft 2 career progression. This prompted consideration of game design principles applicable to workplace satisfaction.

1. Achieve Flow Through Challenge Balance

Finding flow involves balancing task difficulty with skill level. Boredom results from unchallenging work, while anxiety stems from overwhelming assignments. Workers should communicate capacity issues and ensure daily tasks align with career progression goals.

2. Overcome Mental Fatigue

When stuck on problems, reduce difficulty by seeking colleague assistance or take breaks. Rest allows fresh perspectives and renewed problem-solving approaches.

3. Embrace Career Voluntarism

Work fundamentally remains voluntary. Viewing career progression as chosen advancement—job to job, skill to skill—transforms employment into purposeful development rather than obligation.

4. Gamify Daily Tasks

Tracking accomplishments creates measurable progress. Designers can compile portfolios; others can quantify daily outputs. The distinction matters: jobs provide rewards enabling self-generated happiness, not happiness itself.

5. Establish Team Alignment

Team effectiveness requires shared goals, clear leadership, and creative constraints. Specific design briefs (airplane from five papers) inspire creativity better than vague requests.

6. Reframe Obligation as Choice

Mandatory-feeling tasks breed resentment and eliminate enjoyment. Voluntary framing preserves engagement and satisfaction.

7. Balance Efficiency With Inspiration

While efficiency matters, excessive standardization numbs creative work. Trust team members' instincts; amorphous processes can inspire innovation.

8. Balance Work Exhaustion Through Meaningful Leisure

Minimize passive television consumption. Pursue challenging hobbies—exercise, reading, gaming—that provide mental stimulation and recharge capacity for both home and work satisfaction.

These principles, informed by game design, help replicate workplace satisfaction comparable to gaming achievements—progressing through levels, defeating challenges, and mastering skills.