Good overview of gamification principles: Why I now drink more

For several months now, I have drunk sufficient water. Why? Plant Nanny. This app (which today costs less than a dollar) has become a part of my daily life, and I have recommended it to many other people who have become happy users. In the beginning, watering plants on a phone seemed silly but now I look forward to achieving a goal and planting more plants in my garden. AND I am sufficiently hydrated!

The app uses principles of gamification very well. To learn more about those principles, click to view a slide show titled appropriately "The Principles of Gamification." Plus, the app assisted with the important trio of changing or creating habits: knowledge, skill, and desire or motivation. In the instance of my drinking more water, I already knew hydration is important to one's health, thinking, etc., and the app calculated for me how much water I should drink each day given my activity level and weight. I already was skilled at drinking so the app did not add much. But the motivation component was huge and helpful.

After reading much (including this book) and talking with others, I am convinced of the value of gamification. Therefore I continue to work on a game for conflict resolution and also one for assessing matches and clashes between clients and their consultants (including lawyers and mediators). Have you developed any games? Seen any good ones? Used gamification in your personal or professional life?

Past posts about games and gamification:

• Are you an achiever, explorer, socializer, or killer: Is conflict resolution a game?
• Ever heard of a lawyer playing games? Learn how from a gaming lawyer beginning Monday
• Using games to educate and solve problems: Playing with conflict and brains

And a related post: Want to help yourself and others get more done (and enjoy the doing)? Here's an excellent method.