I am having trouble balancing work and fun

[The Protagonist]

I have uninstalled all my computer games, restricted access to certain websites, and taken other measures to ensure that my time is not ill spent. As a result my productivity has increased, but not substantially because I have found other ways to spend my time. I feel like I am not focusing on doing the right thing. I want to be able to remain productive, but at the same time be able to enjoy playing the occasional game of Halo. The thing is I dunno how to do this, to have such self discipline as not to play any games until I get all or enough work done. I don't like this idea of having "x->y" time for work and "y->z" time for play. I don't want to zone my time out, I just want to be almost Spartan about my time and efficiency, but still be able to play a little or go out for some time.

thoughts/opinions?

[The Universal Call]

The thing I do is that I set up a certain time that shall be spent doing my homework, not doing it in front of the computer, but rather downstairs helps a lot (but downstairs is quite troublesome when my parents are home - single noises have always disturbed me). After that I may assign a good 15-30 minutes spent on the computer, playing a game of my choice or simply watch the favorite show on YouTube. If I DON'T get the work I have assigned to do in that time I usually feel the urge to "still go upstairs", however, a bit of discipline have taught me how to give myself a mental slap and say: "Don't postpone your intelligence! To do that would be like cheating yourself" So by that I simply WANT to get that work done. This of course lasts only for a good 30-60 minutes, and if I haven't done the work in that time (still) I do what feels best. If I'm bored to the life of my then maybe a break is better than beating yourself up for something that is a drag. Living quite seperated from the outside world nowadays though I am rest assured that the work will get done in the time of the weekend at least though.

The trouble comes however if the homework assigned is something to be written/researched at the computer. I still have some trouble not opening that webpage to see what new posts has been written (read: Stevepavlina.com/forums). I don't know a precise way to deal with this yet though, but something that might work since it works for about anything could be to meditate! If all you can do is think about games then not any decent amount of "But I should get it done...!" will help you to focus on your goal. Walk away for a second, lie down on the bed, meditate. Basically, if you can find that sweet spot, i.e., when you can really feel that renewed focus of your goal, then you will have no trouble continuing with your project.

Lastly, I find it amusing of you to pose this question considering your nickname. Maybe that's the problem.

[dadeon]

You need to take back control of yourself and realize that you are ultimately in charge of everything that you do. You are the only one that can make you do anything. It's true that a bit of outside motivation sometimes gives you a nudge, but it's your time.

A key factor in self control is self dissipline. Self dissipline is not something you 'get' - it is something you already 'got'. The issue is with how you choose to use it. Dissipline is not about doing that which you don't want to do, but about being true to yourself and doing what you ultimately desire for yourself infavour of short term comforts (which are often only habits). It is something you need to practise and the more you practise it the better you get at it...until you can direct yourself to do absolutely anything, whenever you want. Start small and don't punish yourself. Develop balance and DO the things you love, but do it in the 'right' amounts.

Self Mastery is the ultimate challenge in life and it starts with being dissiplines in your thinking.

[Shaden]

I think another good piece of advice is to find a link between your work and what you find fun. Make them the same thing and you fulfil both at the same time. This can take a bit of exploration but ultimately it is a great state to reach because theres no longer any conflict between the two. This results in inner peace and greater productivity.