56 - Procrastination

[matt]

Stefan suggested I post these in the forums as well as on the blog, so here it is!

[sunsetbrew]

I write software for a living as well. I am bad at procrastination, but I somehow always get the work done. I think a certain amount of procrastination is a good thing. To begin with, it gives your body a rest. Lack of a break leads to burnout which is the worst possible outcome. And over the rest time, your ideas and software designs tend to mature making the actual work go smoother.

[Grabthehoopka]

This might not be the best advice in the world, but I find that nothing gets the engine for creativity in your brain going faster than the high-octane fuel of panic brought on by an approaching deadline.

Also, I thought it was funny how in a developer diary for procrastination, you spend the first 30 seconds of the video bringing up two different topics before dismissing them and saying you'll get to them later.

[Stefan8000]

wow, matt, nice, that you post it here too. thanks.

[sunsetbrew]

Over the years, the leading driver for procrastination for me has been diversion. And perhaps the activity I find most diverting is social forum activity. Sort of ironic.

[matt]

Fortunately, checking the forum is part of my job.

[Grabthehoopka]

If you don't mind us (me) asking, how did the initial experiments with enemies go? Do you feel like you're making progress? Was it everything you'd feared it'd be?

[matt]

Unfortunately, I didn't really get started until Monday I think. More stuff came up! However, it is going quite well I think. There is still a lot of work left to do, but I feel like what we have so far is quite promising.

I am currently experimenting with adding a run. While I was on the fence about adding run, I think it is important for gameplay considerations that when a monster is barreling after you, there is something you can do other than just walk away slowly.

I'll have to see how my asthma/endurance idea will work out, but I have a good feeling about it.

The short answer is my fears were unfounded, and I think it is turning out well.

[haitechan]

Procastinating sounds like me trying to finish my bachelor thesis. Two years later, I'm still procastinating to make another thesis for my license .

[Reinik]

Oh man, my eternal dilemma: wanting/needing to do the thing but also not wanting to do the thing.

I sometimes use this site for a little extra motivation. It's fantasy RPG-themed to-do lists.