Gamification is the practice of adding game-like elements to non-game contexts.

Becauseknowingthe rules is the first step to bending them to your advantage.

When does gamification become manipulation?

Theres nothing wrong with gamifying our lives.

Nir Eyal is an investor and author who spent his career in video games and advertising.

Its not addiction in a clinical sense, but its close.

Its conscious manipulation designed to get you to connect an endorphin rush with the use of a product.

We love anticipation and suspense.

We also like a pause between our action and the eventual reward or non-reward.

This is the basis behind both slot-machine wheels spinning and Twitters load time.

We like striving toward achievable, understandable goals.

A consumer reward program works the same way.

Were also more likely to fly on an airline if we are collecting frequent flyer miles.

even if the ticket is more expensive.

Employers often use this same tactic to motivate employees.

Its a little trickier at work.

So do a little research on the company.

Check out their reputation onGlassdoor.com.Ask fellow employees how things worked for them.

A streak offers nothing beyond the streak itself.

Snapchat is notorious for this.

If you exchange snaps with someone continuously, a number appears next to their name on the app.

Hope it was worth it.

Dont add another obligation to your already obligation-heavy life.

Saying, I dont care about this manipulative bullshit while deleting an app is surprisingly empowering.

Competition

Competing against others is the basis of most games.

I just kept my head down and my attitude noncommittal while I plotted my escape.

Apps or services might offer membership in tiered groups to users who complete specific tasks.

Companies might stress their corporate culture to keep the playersI mean employees motivated.

If you recognize how fake it is though, your best bet is usually to play along.

No one know what yourethinkingat a mandatory team-building pizza party after all, and you need the paycheck.

Plus you get free pizza.

Keep in mind what therealteams are though.