Motivating Matters

    I’ve been keen on learning more about web3 and the infinite possibilities it will provide for many people around the world. For those of you who don’t know what that is, it is the inevitable future of the internet and technology, so let this be your introduction. Essentially, a vague explanation of it would be the implementation of different concepts such as decentralization, cryptography, and blockchain technology in society. Here is an article to get you started in learning more about web3. A great book about blockchain technologies is, Blockchain Revolution by Don and Alex Tapscott. That’s enough of an introduction, let’s move on to a recent development in my life thanks to web3.

    Back in April 2022, I was looking to learn more about web3, and I’m not even sure how it happened exactly, but I came across a project called Step’n. It’s known as a web3 lifestyle app that rewards users for movement. I don’t want to go into detail about all the aspects of the app, but basically it’s a game that allows users with a Step’n sneaker to earn tokens, which can be exchanged for US dollars, for walking, jogging, or running. I thought it was a neat concept and wanted to learn more, so I read the whitepaper, which is a much more in depth run down of the app.

I decided to give it a go and purchased my first pair of sneakers. Just a bit of a disclaimer before I get too far, but an idea like this has never successfully been executed before, and the app is still in beta, which means that there are a lot of things the development team is trying to fix so that there is a healthy economy and user ecosystem. In other words, don’t enter the game expecting to be able to earn enough to quit your job. Also, there are official brand ambassadors for Step’n and I am not one. Everything I’m saying about the app is based on my personal experience. After purchasing my first pair of sneakers for a little over $100, I started to run daily and a month went by when I realized that the Step’n app was helping motivate me to run.

There’s a reinforcing nature about the app that continues to push me to run. I never used to enjoy running long distances, but now a run has become part of my daily schedule. It’s human nature to start strong and give up on things because we get too busy or don’t feel like doing it, but with the Step’n app if I miss a day, I am just as motivated the following day to go for a run. I have ran about 100 miles in the four and a half months since I started. That might not sound like a monumental achievement, but to me it is, because I know for a fact I wouldn’t have run that much without the app. I even plan on running my first half marathon next month thanks to Step’n.

The Step’n app has helped many others besides me overcome our basic human tendencies to give up in the face of challenges by incentivizing users to exercise. It is a proven fact that if we are rewarded for doing something we will do it more often. I can definitely see this app playing a beneficial role in many more people’s lives by helping to create healthy habits, as well as, influencing more people to learn about web3 and all of its possibilities.

If something like this doesn’t interest you, there are plenty of other ways to reinforce your habits. We are more likely to do the things that our friends or family are doing so hold each other accountable by doing it together. It can be something as simple as moving a paper clip after we finish writing a page for a paper to as extreme as signing a contract with repercussions if the contract isn’t fulfilled. Get creative with how you motivate yourself to continue your daily habits.

What things do you do to help reinforce your healthy habits?