Maybe if I trick myself. Maybe if I reward myself. Maybe if I use that app that gives me points, sparkles, and fanfare, I'll get my chores done.
The idea of dopamine dependence or perhaps a dopamine starvation is often a suspect in the world of ADHD and wandering minds. If I only had more dopamine I'd get things done.
The phrase is supported by the idea of an "Interest-based" nervous system - this idea that has somehow been interpreted to mean that we can only do things that we have an a priori interest in, effectively arguing for a lack of free will.
And so, some of us look for ways that we can "game" ourselves.
Maybe we consider ways to set up a points system for which chores are worth something.
Maybe we turn our to-do list into a set of quests with levels, loot and the like.
Or how about "how fast can I clear this Inbox?" reminding me of trying to get a kid to get their shoes on in the morning by asking them to race out the door.
Maybe we even use a chemical like coffee after the work report is done, quite literally trying to get a flush of dopamine after doing something we'd otherwise avoid.
If it works for you, great.
But I believe, more often than not, it works once or a few times, but then some part of us, starts to say "no."
Why? Because we have been dishonest with ourselves.
In today’s episode, Gaming Ourselves, we explore the need honesty, what the real idea behind “gaming” might be, and what an honest path forward might look like.
Kourosh
Listen to the podcast episode below, and/or subscribe on your favorite podcast app.