Video Games & Other "Distractions"

TerryJStroud

I don't know about you, but I find it impossible to keep myself motivated for most things. Maybe I'm lazy, maybe I'm just lacking the "oomph" or confidence to get anything done, but I find myself feeling "stuck" in life. Don't get me wrong, I get a lot accomplished, but I feel like I'm in a rut. So I guess I'll spell it out and hopefully somebody can offer some wisdom and insight!

1) Video Games -- It's how my wife and I unwind (it's what we like to do together as a couple!). Of course, I find it devours my time, and even when I give it a time limit, I tend to exceed it. Why? Because in the moment, I tend to not WANT to do anything else. Am I alone in this feeling? Is there a way to overcome it without throwing away our favourite thing to do as a couple?

2) General Motivation -- I've been working at writing a novel, and I'm stuck. Well, I know where it's going, but why in the WORLD can I not find the motivation to sit down and write Chapter 2? It's not like I have writer's block! Oh yeah, I got a weight bench downstairs and an elliptical, and I LOVE doing it, but once again it's that motivation. I *want* to do it, but I tend to "prefer" most other things even if they're not as enjoyable. I honestly feel like an enigma right now.

3) Dissatisfaction? -- I find myself frequently dissatisfied with where I'm at physically and even in terms of that motivation. I guess it's a sick cycle. I'm dissatisfied with being dissatisfied, but too dissatisfied to get up and no longer be dissatisfied.

Anyway, without rambling I'll leave it at that. Hopefully someone has been through this and have some input. Most guys don't seem to like opening up about this stuff (and I'm going out on a limb here), but I'm hoping someone can help. Thanks for your time!

nnylee

For awhile, games did get me. I was stuck on Dragon Age II, Sims 3, and Skyrim for awhile and I just didn't feel like working out or doing homework or anything. But I realized I was sitting on my butt for way too long! What you could do....is do what you need to do BEFORE you play video games. Just get exercise and novel writing and whatever out of your way. Then you have time to hang with your wife and play games with the satisfaction of knowing that everything you need to do is done.

Procrastination is kind of a lot of people's (including myself) Achilles heel. I'm starting to figure it out and it's all about time management. If you want something bad enough, you stick with your schedule and you can do it. Good luck!

penrbrown

I'm not sure my tips will help but this is how I handle distractions...

I schedule every single moment of my life. Isn't that sad? But I know exactly what I will be doing at any given time during the day. I schedule my workout, I schedule my 'play time', I schedule my study time... I schedule work, showers, eating times... everything is scheduled...

And I follow that schedule almost to the T. I AM flexible so if someone comes to visit I will set the schedule aside but that doesn't happen often (I don't really have friends... I didn't schedule them in. ).

It might work better if you have a set time to workout. That time, every day, is your workout time and NOTHING else can fill that time. Too much freedom leads to too much confusion I think. But that's just my opinion.

SOthebomb

I agree with nnyish... Procrastination is the dread evil here. You will feel better about your gaming when you've got all of the necessaries accomplished. Add exercise to the "necessaries" list.

Seems like you are being hard on yourself. Turn that frown upside down, boy, and JUST DO IT. My husband once told me that if I actually DID all of the things I talked/ruminated about I'd be... wait for it... done with that stuff already! Sometimes simplicity is life changing.

Anyway, hope you keep all of your accomplishments in sight. You are halfway to your goal - and that is amazing.

Keep up the good work!
Everyday is a new day. "Yesterday is history. Tomarrow is a mystery. Today is a gift, that's why they call it the present."

JBApplebee

For me, it's all about priorities. If you & your wife play video games, get some that use the kinect for xbox 360 or the wii fit types. We do these as a family & it's both fun & gets you off the couch. I tend to get the "blahs" when I don't get some sort of exercise. When I get done at the gym, whether it's running or lifting, I have a better outlook on everything. Time at the gym is like a recharge for me & it helps me focus better the rest of the day. I also sleep better as well.

thekarens

I love games too. SWTOR is my current love, but it's also my "reward." No, gym and chores = No SWTOR. Obviously I'm an adult and there's nothing stopping me from breaking that rule, but so far I've managed to keep to it. It's my own personal rule. I'm EXTREMELY lazy so I also plan out my day...goes a little like this: work, gym, dinner/chores then SWTOR.

ZombieChaser

For awhile, games did get me. I was stuck on Dragon Age II, Sims 3, and Skyrim for awhile and I just didn't feel like working out or doing homework or anything. But I realized I was sitting on my butt for way too long! What you could do....is do what you need to do BEFORE you play video games. Just get exercise and novel writing and whatever out of your way. Then you have time to hang with your wife and play games with the satisfaction of knowing that everything you need to do is done.

Procrastination is kind of a lot of people's (including myself) Achilles heel. I'm starting to figure it out and it's all about time management. If you want something bad enough, you stick with your schedule and you can do it. Good luck!

^^ this I've had to scale back my gaming with my boyfriend to make time for other things...AND I've done exactly what the above stated - get all my stuff done BEFORE i start killing things (virtually!) So far so good Hopefully this will work for you too!

TerryJStroud

Thanks everyone for your thoughts and suggestions. Sounds like I need to relax a little bit, stop being so hard on myself, and actually start planning my day a lot more. I think you're all right. I'm procrastinating way too much and need to just get my priorities straight. No gym, chores, and priorities = no games.

For some reason, that thought never occurred to me. I should start putting my iPod or my scheduler to better use! Maybe set a goal for myself and then reward myself based on that as well.

nnyish - That's really encouraging. Thank you!!! Procrastination and backwards priorities... Scheduling seems to be my issue.

penrbrown - "Too much freedom leads to too much confusion I think" - Wow. I think you're right. I think that's my problem. You think correct! I may have to take that as a personal motto!

SOthebomb - I'm going to make that list. THANKS!!

JBApplebee - You're right. That's totally me. If I don't get what's healthy for me done, I become a blob of "blahs". The Kinect, our house is too tiny for (and my knee can't handle most of the games), but I'll definitely put some thought into how I could make something like that work!

thekarens - Yeah, SWTOR is my killer right now!! Haha! Plan plan plan, THEN game.

Iciccone - Thanks for confirming what everyone said!! I appreciate it!

Thanks again everyone for the quick input... you really helped me a lot.