When it comes to personal productivity, I've probably tried them all - GTD, the Pomodoro Technique, timeboxing - you name it.

They all work at first. Until they don't. In the end, I realized the only way for me to be productive was to find a method that works for me.

And that "method" is to simply keep things interesting! 🎲😜🎮

This means mixing things up and not doing the same thing for too long, or else I get bored and start to procrastinate.

It also means creating mini-challenges for myself like racing against the clock or creating a reward system.

This led me to dive deep into the concept of using gamification as a productivity tool. Not only is it a fun way to get things done, but it's also backed by research. Using elements like points, badges, and levels, this playful thinking can increase motivation and engagement in lengthy projects that would otherwise be daunting.

So here are some designs I created for a guided journal based on this principle. The original design was intended for e-ink tablets but I've recently been experimenting with book mockups.

Check out my other shots to see how I turned ideas into simple but meaningful illustrated versions.