Have you ever got lost in a game of Candy Crush? Or pushed yourself harder to outpace a Peloton rival? If so, you’ve been played—by gamification.

Games set off powerful response triggers in our brains. And gamification works because it taps into primal instincts in a way that motivates hard work and builds habits. 

That’s why businesses in almost every vertical widely embrace gaming elements to drive engagement. And thanks to our smartphones and watches, nearly every aspect of our day-to-day lives can be quantified.