Superbetter

Thanks to TED Talks (www.TED.com) I was introduced to an app that is the buzz of the self-help world.

"SuperBetter" (available through App Store) is a small app set up as a quest/challenge game for people looking to change some aspect of their lives. The TED talk by Jane McGonigal is worth watching. It seems like a simple concept, but it's also true that as busy human beings we no longer take the time to do the small things that add up to better health, greater wisdom, more leisure, etc.

In my case, using the language of SuperBetter (which is free for a limited time), my ultimate Bad Guy is "Time Tyrant." I have convinced myself, and truly believe, that I don't have time for these things. It's twenty seconds I could be doing something productive rather than choosing to take my eyes off my computer screen to look at something restful for twenty seconds. I don't have time to do three minutes worth of isometric exercises at my desk - I could write a letter or email in that three minutes and cross another task off my endless "To Do" list. I know the most help I need is to change my perspective about caring for myself. This certainly seems to be hallmark of my generation, and I know it needs to be different. This morning on FB a friend had posted a wall pic that was so appropriate and I repeat it here because it's certainly something I need to remember.

Unexpectedly, I find myself checking in willingly. The app is structured as a Quest, and in order to unlock the clues/next level, you have to complete challenges. I am nothing, if not competitive. But this competition is with no one other than myself. And I chose the challenge. I further guaranteed that I would check in regularly by inviting my husband to be an Ally in SB. As an Ally, he knows which challenges I've completed, which levels I'm stuck on, and he can add challenges or quests to my game which are in keeping with the goal I've set for myself. (To have completely changed my lifestyle by the time I turn 50). Since I am also his Ally on SB for his challenge, we support and encourage each other. You choose the challenge yourself. Each level has a range of choices, and at every possible juncture one can access a short helpful video about the quest they've chosen. There's a "Science Behind..." section that allows you to know and understand why the things you're doing are good for you, and you receive encouragement and reminders by email.

I'm impressed, and I didn't expect to be.