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dislekcia
28-11-2007, 03:31 AM
Having just run out of rusks, I've realised how many little tricks and habits I have that keep me developing. So I thought it would be a good idea to allow people to share their quirks, tips and advice on how they stay motivated while working on a game or project...

Here are some of the things I do:


Use snacks and treats as rewards for completing things... I'll promise myself a glass of coke or a mug of something + rusks (awesome dev food, especially if you rig up an auto-dipper) if I get it right. Great motivation to keep working, especially if it's a thirsty day.
Schedule breaks. If I'm devving all day I'll make sure that I get up and move around at least every half hour. If you're really crazy busy, it helps to do something a little strenuous to get your body releasing endorphins and happy. My current fav is to do a few pull-ups once in a while.
Music. On headphones. It's difficult not getting distracted sometimes, especially in a house with other geeks. There's usually a game, movie or interesting TV series playing once people get home from work. Headphones help me isolate what I'm doing, plus they're becoming a sign to my housemates that I'm working and don't want to be disturbed.
Not beating your head against something on your own... We all hit problems, be they bugs or logic issues. Generally I'll try to figure it out until it's sorted, but sometimes you just don't feel like you're getting anywhere. That's when I go bounce the problem off someone else, preferably in person, because it's not the answer you want from them, it's the act of explaining the problem. Usually I figure out a solution while I'm explaining, instead of getting something new from the other person... Non-technical listeners help too, they ask great questions.
Paper. I write most complicated algs on paper first, I find it lets me test them in a number of situations in parallel, so I can see if they'll give the results I need without having to code them.
Feedback. All feedback is good feedback. Especially when it helps you make the game better, or it gives you a motivational boost. The trick is to keep the end product in mind so that you can feel jazzed about even the most negative feedback ever: You'll use it to get to that cool end point, don't worry about the current issues.
Game rewards. This is probably one of my biggest motivators: I won't let myself play something if I feel I've still got outstanding stuff to do. The nice thing about working from home is that I can play whenever I want, but the trick is to control how much that happens ;)


Thought that might be an interesting exercise for everyone, tell us what you do to stay working!

-D

cairnswm
28-11-2007, 06:02 AM
Deadlines - This to me is the biggest motivator - I go to bed everynight BEFORe 11pm - thats a mini deadline each night. If I'm working on something for my game it has to be finished before 11 each night.

No Other more important Things - When I've got other things that I want to do more, I cant do any dev (or article writing as is happening now). So when I've got an important project to get done I make sure I dont get interested in something else, unless the other thing can be used as a deadline :)

edg3
28-11-2007, 06:37 AM
If I can sit and listen to music non stop I feel more motivated and willing to work then if I try anything, so thats pretty much what works for me.


Use snacks and treats as rewards for completing things... I'll promise myself a glass of coke or a mug of something + rusks (awesome dev food, especially if you rig up an auto-dipper) if I get it right. Great motivation to keep working, especially if it's a thirsty day.
Im definitely going to try this one! :P It appeals to me.

Saige
28-11-2007, 07:40 AM
- Preparation is the key to completing an objective. Trying more prepping with all tasks, it's sorta falls into the measure twice, cut once philosophy.

- Listening is a action. Listen, it becomes the platform from where you will be able to voice your opinion. And as important as it is to you that you listen, it's important to other people that you voice your opinion.

- Enthusiasm is the electricity of life. Shock yourself and embrace every experience, there's something to learn (even about yourself) when doing the things that seem a waste of time.

dislekcia
28-11-2007, 03:23 PM
Great stuff people :)

I'm definately going to work on using Cairnswm's daily mini-deadline idea... I tend to use sleep as a reward, as in I can only go to sleep once X is finished, which means that I tend to work till 5am far too often ;)

-D

Squid
28-11-2007, 03:59 PM
(awesome dev food, especially if you rig up an auto-dipper)

How exactly does an auto-dipper work?

dislekcia
28-11-2007, 04:39 PM
How exactly does an auto-dipper work?

Spoon or other correctly-shaped implement (forks work really well, depending on the type of fork) leaning in the mug, provides a surface that you can balance the rusk on so that you don't have to hold it in the hot liquid yourself. Remove when sufficiently dipped.

-D

edg3
29-11-2007, 08:48 AM
I am seriously going to rig a dipper now, esspecially since these last few days have been cold! lol.


- Preparation is the key to completing an objective. Trying more prepping with all tasks, it's sorta falls into the measure twice, cut once philosophy.
I am often nprepared, and just jump straight in, I know its bad. :( well, Im hoping that Im able to change this soon.

Dipso
29-11-2007, 09:11 AM
1) Remind myself that no one else is going make my dreams happen.

2) If I'm feeling lazy in the evening then I force myself to work for half an hour. This adds up to a minimum of 3 and a half hours a week.

grigi
29-11-2007, 03:18 PM
After being in a(as in one) "Workshop" (Read: Meeting) for the last 6 hours, reading this, well I just HAD to comment.

For motivation:

I AVOID meetings, as a rule. Too bad I cannot always do that.
Headphones
Sleeping on my keyboard
Giving myself some ridiculous targets, such as "You will finish this documentation". I scarily often meet the more idiosyncratic ones.
Talk about ANYTHING to my friends colleagues. It makes you loose focus, so when you get back to work it is often like sleeping, so you look at the problem with fresh eyes.
Ask lots of questions
Go walk around on the Cricket Field (Next door to where I work), and see how many backflips I can do before I'm too dizzy to continue(not very much).


I typically "browse" the web as a "reward".

dislekcia
29-11-2007, 03:27 PM
1) Remind myself that no one else is going make my dreams happen.

2) If I'm feeling lazy in the evening then I force myself to work for half an hour. This adds up to a minimum of 3 and a half hours a week.

That first point is a good one, I use that sort of logic all the time. Also, don't you find that after you've worked for half an hour or so, you start getting into it and keep going? I do.

So what are you working on in your own time, or is that not something we should be asking just yet?

-D

Tr00jg
01-12-2007, 12:42 PM
That first point is a good one, I use that sort of logic all the time. Also, don't you find that after you've worked for half an hour or so, you start getting into it and keep going? I do.
-D

Yep.

Ironically most of my motivation comes from surfing the net when I should be devving. I stumble upon other indie games, and think gosh, I can do a better job. Then I get right back to work.

Other things are taking big-ish breaks like a week or 2. You get so "worked up" to get back at it.

Feedback. Any feedback really.

Music lots of it. If I am not testing music in the game, I am listening to music all the time. It keeps you in "the zone".

The End Goal. This is my biggest motivator. If I keep going, I know I will eventually reach the end goal. And when I reach it, copious amounts of rewards will come my way. :P

01DT!m3r
01-12-2007, 08:34 PM
1)COFFEE 2)MUSIC 3)MORE COFFEE 4) I usually get a little fresh air hourly . eg walk around the block, play with dogs .