Why Life Shouldn’t Be a Leaderboard

The concept of gamification is gaining popularity in various areas of life, including work and personal development. It involves applying elements from ...

game design to non-gaming contexts such as education, health, and even real-life scenarios to increase motivation, engagement, and performance. Despite its popularity, however, viewing life as a ranking system has significant drawbacks that can hinder personal growth and well-being. This blog post explores why life shouldn't be a ranking system, focusing on the psychological effects and practical implications of such an approach.

1. The Pitfall of Comparison
2. Erosion of Motivation
3. Stress and Anxiety
4. Decrease in Creativity and Problem-Solving Skills
5. Impact on Relationships
6. Conclusion

1.) The Pitfall of Comparison

One of the most significant downsides of gamifying life with a leaderboard is the tendency to compare oneself with others. In a competitive environment where everyone's progress is visible, individuals may start comparing their scores or ranks without considering the various factors that contribute to success in different areas. This comparison can lead to feelings of inadequacy if one perceives themselves as performing poorly compared to peers, and it can also foster unhealthy competitiveness that might not align with personal values or long-term goals.

2.) Erosion of Motivation

When life is viewed through a gamified lens where success is measured by performance on a leaderboard, individuals may find their motivation waning over time. This is because the focus becomes solely on achieving higher scores or better rankings, potentially neglecting intrinsic motivations and enjoyment that might be inherent in various aspects of life. The constant striving for improvement can become exhausting if it doesn’t take into account personal growth, leading to a loss of interest and engagement with activities that once brought joy.

3.) Stress and Anxiety

The pressure to perform on the leaderboard can induce significant stress and anxiety, especially when there are external expectations or internal fears about falling behind. This psychological burden not only affects mental health but can also lead to physical symptoms like fatigue, insomnia, and decreased appetite. The constant evaluation based solely on performance metrics can create an environment of fear and insecurity that is detrimental to a healthy, supportive personal development environment.

4.) Decrease in Creativity and Problem-Solving Skills

When life is turned into a competition, individuals may start relying more heavily on tried and tested methods rather than exploring new approaches or thinking creatively. This can stunt the natural growth of problem-solving skills and creative thinking that are essential for personal and professional development. Instead of adapting to challenges with innovative solutions, people might default to familiar but less effective strategies in a bid to maintain their standing on the leaderboard.

5.) Impact on Relationships

Treating life as a game with a leaderboard can strain relationships both personally and professionally. If interactions are viewed through the lens of winning or losing, it becomes challenging to foster genuine connections based on mutual respect and support. This is particularly problematic in environments where collaboration and teamwork are crucial for success, such as at work or within social groups. The competitive nature might lead to resentment and undermine the cooperative spirit that should characterize healthy interpersonal relationships.

6.) Conclusion

While gamification can offer benefits like increased engagement and motivation when used appropriately, treating life as a leaderboard is likely to have detrimental effects on personal development and well-being. By focusing excessively on performance metrics and comparison with others, such an approach can lead to negative psychological outcomes, erode intrinsic motivation, cause stress and anxiety, impair creativity and problem-solving skills, and strain relationships. It's important to remember that life is not a game that should be won or lost based on scores; instead, it’s about the journey of growth, learning, and self-improvement that matters most.

Why Life Shouldn’t Be a Leaderboard