How to Gamify Boring Tasks & Boost Productivity for Neurodivergent Minds

We all have those mundane tasks we dread—whether it’s doing the laundry, organising paperwork, or tackling daily chores. For those of us who are autistic, have ADHD, AuDHD, or dyslexia, staying motivated can be even more challenging. That’s where gamification comes in! By turning everyday tasks into engaging challenges, you can make life more enjoyable and rewarding.

Here’s how you can level up your life by gamifying those dull tasks:

1. Create a Reward System

One of the simplest and most effective ways to gamify tasks is by setting up a reward system. Neurodivergent brains thrive on instant gratification, so making tasks more engaging can boost motivation.

How to do it:

• Set Clear Goals: Break tasks into smaller, manageable steps. For example, instead of “Clean the entire house,” set goals like “Tidy up the kitchen counter” or “Organise one shelf.” (Read my blog on ‘Decluttering with Neurodiversity or Chronic Illness’ for more tips!)

• Assign Points: Allocate points for completing each task. The more challenging the task, the higher the points you earn.

• Star Chart: These may be originally intended for kids but who doesn’t love stickers and visual reminders of how amazingly well they are doing? I love using these to motivate me to either continue good habits or start new habits.

• Choose Rewards: Decide on rewards for reaching certain milestones. This could be treating yourself to a snack, watching an episode of your favourite show, or taking a well-earned break.

Try This: Apps like Habitica transform daily tasks into quests, rewarding you with points and items. It’s a fantastic way to visualise progress and stay motivated.

2. Use Time Challenges

For many people with ADHD or autism, time-based challenges can provide a powerful motivation boost. The urgency of racing against the clock turns tasks into a fun and engaging game. Can you beat your record time?

Ideas to Try:

• The Pomodoro Technique: Work for 25 minutes and then take a 5-minute break. After completing four rounds, take a longer break. This approach keeps you focused while avoiding burnout by giving you time to unwind, walk about, stretch or rest.

• Beat the Clock: Set a timer and challenge yourself to complete as much as you can within a specific time. Apps like Forest and Focus Booster are great for implementing this technique.

🎵 Pro Tip: Playing a favourite song or game soundtrack can help you stay focused, making you feel like a hero on a quest!

3. Use Gamification Apps

Several apps are designed specifically to gamify daily tasks and enhance productivity. These tools make mundane responsibilities feel more adventurous and rewarding.

Some Favourites:

• Todoist Karma: Earn karma points for completing tasks and aim to level up based on your productivity.

• ModernSam: Level up your inner Warrior, Ranger, Magician, or Healer by doing tasks and turn your task list into a fantasy world.

• EpicWin: Turns your to-do list into an RPG where tasks help you level up and earn loot. You get to destroy your chores in animated battles!

• Finch: My personal favourite! This app lets you care for a cute virtual bird friend, rewarding you with fun items like dye for your bird’s feathers, furniture for its home or clothing for it to wear. It’s reminiscent of Neopets for anyone who loved those growing up. You can even get pets for your bird friend!

  You can find more apps to support you in my ‘5 Free Apps for Helping You with Your Neurodiversity & Chronic Illness’ blog

4. Incorporate Visuals and Storytelling

If you love story-driven challenges, why not turn your to-do list into a heroic journey? Creating a story around your tasks can make them much more engaging. Imagine you’re a hero on an epic quest, and each task is a mission that brings you closer to your ultimate goal.

Ideas to Explore:

• Draw a progress path (e.g., a forest trail) and add milestones or obstacles along the way. Maybe there are friendly animals or allies to assist you as you move forward.

• Create a quest log – Write tasks like “Defeat the laundry monster” or “Conquer the paperwork dungeon.”

• Use a progress bar – Seeing your advancement makes tasks feel more rewarding.

5. Social Accountability and Friendly Competition

Sharing your goals with friends or family can boost motivation and increase accountability. For those who enjoy social interaction and competition, this can be a great motivator.

Ways to Stay on Track:

• Friendly Competitions – Challenge a friend to see who completes the most tasks in a week.

• Body Doubling: Platforms like Focusmate, Flown, or BodyDoubling.com connect you with others for shared accountability sessions.

6. Customise Your Gaming Experience

One of the greatest benefits of gamification is its flexibility. Tailor your system to match your interests. Love sci-fi, fantasy, or retro games? Build a system that excites you!

Ideas:

• Create themed reminders – or visuals around your home to keep you inspired: “Side quest: Wash the dishes.”

• Create enemies, allies and settings that fit with the gamification – Procrastination = Boss Battle!

• Use themed rewards – Level up by earning XP towards a weekend getaway or new book.

7. Celebrate Your Wins

Recognising progress is essential for maintaining long-term motivation and reinforcing positive behaviours. No achievement is too small to celebrate!

Ways to Reward Yourself:

• Create a “Rewards List” of activities or treats to enjoy when you reach milestones. Consider it like a bucket list that you get to pick something from and don’t forget to include a range so you can pick from big or small rewards. (E.g. 5XP for a favourite snack, 500XP for an art class or cinema trip, 5000XP for a weekend at your favourite theme park.)

• Share your achievements – Post your progress in online communities.

• Reflect on how far you’ve come – Acknowledge your efforts and enjoy the success! Give yourself a pat on the back. Bask in the gratitude in the glory like a hero returning from an epic quest!

Celebrating small wins creates a positive feedback loop, keeping you motivated and reinforcing your efforts. For more on staying motivated, read my blog on building sustainable habits with a Dopamenu!.

Ready to Gamify Your Life?

Gamification isn’t just about making tasks fun—it’s about finding systems that work for you. If you need help developing a personalised strategy, I’m here to support you.

As a neurodiversity and chronic illness coach, I specialise in working with neurodivergent individuals to develop personalised strategies that harness their unique strengths while ensuring sustainability and balance. Get in touch today to book a free discovery session, and let’s unlock your full potential together.