Full transcript here 👋 Hey, good morning, good afternoon, good evening. This is your life. This is your chance. Listen.

The word for today is optional. Well, optional is the mandatory word of the day. I focused in episode “51 - Half” on shortening the field in Capture the Flag, but I also mentioned another change that I believe made the game more fun. Participation was made optional, because it’s difficult to force people to have fun. Forced fun has actually become a meme for the simple fact that it’s ridiculous. I was reminded of this by Dr. Katy Milkman when she was interviewed by Dan Harris on his 10 Percent Happier podcast. Dr. Milkman says that gamification can easily backfire when employers force everyone to participate. Optionality increases your feeling of control, and as we looked at in episode “62 - Repetitive,” we’re willing to increase our effort when we feel in control of the activity. How can you give the people around you the option of participating?

Today’s concrete challenge is to make participation optional. One way I do this with my family is by asking. I’ll often ask my kids to put on their shoes, instead of ordering them to do it. It isn’t always effective, but it at least gives them some level of control in the situation.

If you want to commit, say the following phrase: “I will find a way to give the option of participating.”

I’ll keep the music playing while you think it through, and don’t miss the soundtrack at the end of this episode.

Before you go, repeat the following soundtrack, “I am the kind of person who makes participation optional when possible.”

Let me know if this made a difference in your day by leaving a comment in your podcast app or at concrete.win/today.

Check back tomorrow for a new challenge. Until then.

References:

#345 How to Change Your Habits | Katy Milkman

Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/today/donations