A few obstacles for which I need some advice

[SomebodySomewhere]

I love to develop games, I also love to do other stuff. I really want to develop a game and start a business from it, maybe with you as my partner, but there are a few obstacles facing me right now. I already have a basic shell application for the game but nothing more.

Here are the obstacles;
1. After working 8-9 hours a day doing software development related activities, I'm a bit tired of programming by the time I come home. I don't really feel like opening up Visual Studio, I don't even want to sit in front of the computer but I do it anyways because of games, tv shows...etc

2. As I was growing up I never did do much activities with friends, maybe 1 or 2 people, but not much and nothing extravagant. Since I recently moved to a much more lively and outgoing city I feel that I should be doing as much as I possibly can and be enjoying myself as much as possible, and I feel that I'm cheating myself if I don't and wasting away youth, also possibly as a way to make up for lost time during my teenage years. Obviously if I'm doing this then I don't much time for other time-intensive tasks. However I'm conflicted between this point and wanting to develop my own games which take a considerable amount of time.

3.I love to sleep. I routinely sleep 10 hours or more, and have developed the habit of becoming tired during the day just so I can go back to sleep. I don't like this, so much time wasted. All that time could be better used for something more productive like developing games or having fun outside.

What are you thoughts on this and can you give me any advice on how to improve or resolve some of these conflicts? I know a business doesn't build itself, but these I believe are the biggest practical obstacles to achieving my goals.

[SomebodySomewhere]

93 views and no one is able to offer up any advice?

[ThoughtAddict]

I'll take a stab at some advice... I've gotten enough good stuff here that maybe some can be regurged...

1. Motivation. Why do you want to make your own game? Is it because you want to do it or you want to have it done? If you're just wanting to have the accomplishment, then you're missing the point. Unless the journey itself is enticing, or the end goal is a burning desire, then you're not likely to get on the path without motivating yourself to it or making it a habit. Perhaps some NLP tips would help here...? Have you checked out Steve's articles on cultivating a passion for life?

2. Do you feel the compulsion to go out and do these things, or do you feel you should do them? By all means, live! But make sure you know what that means to you. To me, a quiet dinner with my sweetheart is a treasured night. To some of my friends, that would be mind numbingly boring. Know thyself. And maybe your ideal is chatting in a coffee shop, maybe it is joining clubs, maybe it is hitting the clubs. Your life, your choice.

3. I like sleep. I like it a lot less when I have compelling things in my waking life. I also sleep a lot less when I exercise. If sleeping gets in the way, try some cardio during the day. Even if it doesn't, cardio is a great, great way to wake up your life.

Be well.

[Rafael Perez]

[quote=SomebodySomewhere;185346]I love to develop games, I also love to do other stuff. I really want to develop a game and start a business from it, maybe with you as my partner, but there are a few obstacles facing me right now. I already have a basic shell application for the game but nothing more.

You will find the answers in your statements. You said you love to develope games, you also love other stuff. Is developing games something you really want to do or is it something you believe you can do because you have experience in it. Question closely why it is you want to do something and make sure it is inline with what you really want... In order to do this you must acknowledge that you can do anything you want to do, it doesn't matter what it is, do not place a limitation on yourself. I only question this because when we do something that we truly love, time stands still.

another factor that could play into this is thinking about something else while doing what you love. If it is truly what you love focus on the things you love about doing it... Live in that moment, do not think about all the things that will be involved in developing the business simply concentrate on the task at hand. You love developing games, just do that... follow what feels good and makes you happy. Stay positive about it and focus on having fun, it should be fun.

The following statements I have underlined some of your dominant beliefs when it comes to doing this and simply ask that you take a close look at what you have written.

Here are the obstacles;
1. After working 8-9 hours a day doing software development related activities, I'm a bit tired of programming by the time I come home. I don't really feel like opening up Visual Studio, I don't even want to sit in front of the computer but I do it anyways because of games, tv shows...etc

Doesn't really sound like it is much fun for you. I could be wrong but it may have something to do with negativity associated with your job... Is it what you really want?
2. As I was growing up I never did do much activities with friends, maybe 1 or 2 people, but not much and nothing extravagant. Since I recently moved to a much more lively and outgoing city I feel that I should be doing as much as I possibly can and be enjoying myself as much as possible, and I feel that I'm cheating myself if I don't and wasting away youth, also possibly as a way to make up for lost time during my teenage years. Obviously if I'm doing this then I don't much time for other time-intensive tasks. However I'm conflicted between this point and wanting to develop my own games which take a considerable amount of time.

Most of this is attributed to feeling like you are running out of time. There is no such thing as running out of time. When you understand the physics of time you understand that the only time that exist is right now. Your past, your future, all of it is happening right now.

You have an opportunity every second of everyday to define who you are by being what you want out of life right now. Do not think about how much time you have because time is running out, this will set limitations of guilt and resentment and will keep you paralyzed.

Learn to see time as limitless and live for the moment. This entire email is very concentrated on time. How much time you work, time you sleep, running out of time, time wasted, time time time... Just live in the now and follow what makes you happy... sleep if you want to sleep, work if you want to work, go out if you want to go out... Just live in the now and try and stop the clock watch.

3.I love to sleep. I routinely sleep 10 hours or more, and have developed the habit of becoming tired during the day just so I can go back to sleep. I don't like this, so much time wasted. All that time could be better used for something more productive like developing games or having fun outside.

Sleep is good... I love sleep, but when you are feeling tired a lot, this tends to mean something else is going on, usually involving stress. I have a sneaking suspicion it may have something to do with time... Get rid of the guilt of sleeping if you feel like taking a nap, then do it... Make sure you are not sleeping as an escape of time and reality.

Just have fun... Don't worry about time, it is relative to your belief, make it work for you and remind yourself that time is not an issue, you have more than enough... I'll say it again, have fun... this is your life, live it in the moment.

QUOTE]

[viscapes]

The answer to all three of your problems comes down to motivation. If you're not motivated to do something (develop your games, socialise with friends, stay awake) then either:

1. They are the wrong goals for you; or
2. You have not identified a good enough reason for doing them.

For each of your problems, consider firstly why you want to do it. Write down the reasons. How will you feel once you've done it? How will it change your life? How might it affect other people or things in your life? Secondly, consider the consequences of not doing it. What might happen to you if you don't do it? What are you missing out on?

Then, take a look through your reasons. If you still don't feel motivated then as I said, you've either not given yourself a good enough reason for doing it or your goal is simply not right for you.

Success is 80% why and 20% how. If you give youself a compelling enough "why" you'll find a "how".

[Rafael Perez]

Originally Posted by viscapes

The answer to all three of your problems comes down to motivation. If you're not motivated to do something (develop your games, socialise with friends, stay awake) then either:

1. They are the wrong goals for you; or
2. You have not identified a good enough reason for doing them.

For each of your problems, consider firstly why you want to do it. Write down the reasons. How will you feel once you've done it? How will it change your life? How might it affect other people or things in your life? Secondly, consider the consequences of not doing it. What might happen to you if you don't do it? What are you missing out on?

Then, take a look through your reasons. If you still don't feel motivated then as I said, you've either not given yourself a good enough reason for doing it or your goal is simply not right for you.

Success is 80% why and 20% how. If you give youself a compelling enough "why" you'll find a "how".

Paul is brilliant. How passionate are you about developing these games... How passionate are you about being passionate. there is my two cents, well maybe one cent and a little lint.