MOTIVATION PROBLEMS

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Originally, this was just going to be a rant about my RPG Maker game that I haven't worked on for like the past half year (excluding the little map fixing up I was doing and did a whole 3 maps). But felt this is a better use of a topic...

So, as of lately I've been having a severe lack of motivation to do anything really outside of working on the Fire Emblem wiki and doing Let's Plays (even then, sometimes I don't do either of those). Well, more like I've had a motivation problem for the past 5 years, but been getting worse and worse as time has gone on. I'm seeming to find it more and more difficult to keep wanting to do things that I used to do a lot. I'm pretty sure it's more to do with that things get tiresome/old after some time and I just need something new, but the few new things I've done/attempted (i.e. Fire Emblem hacking, which I've worked on for like a week and is still wanting to work on, and drawing, which some of ya'll have seen from me here, but I haven't done anything with for the past month now) I haven't been able to keep my interests in.

So, is there any advice you guys can give on how to improve this motivation problem that I have? Or any ways of dealing with it? I hate just sitting around doing nothing for hours on end, so I try to keep myself busy, but then I get into that rut where I just don't want to do anything, but want to, and it's just uuuugh...


(If you're curious about what I do, it basically boils down to this: Doing videos for Let's Plays, working on the Fire Emblem wiki (with a side of Final Fantasy wiki since I have nothing to do there really after 5 years of being there), my Fire Emblem hack, art, and obviously my RPG Maker game. That's literally all I do...no luck on job hunting because the jobs around this town all suck and either seem to never be hiring despite how much I pester them, or when they say they're hiring they say they're not or to try again in 1-2 months...)
Marrend
Guardian of the Description Thread
21781
You could argue that I have a similar motivation problem in regards to a project. I tried to do something different, but, obviously, that didn't work very well. So, I tried something else, and that's been going at a pretty decent clip.

I could just be weird.
Do what you need to do, whether you want to do it or not. If you want to get something done, work on it, motivation be damned - it's not actually required to do any work, you just have to force yourself to sit down and do the work and keep focused on it.
Ratty524
The 524 is for 524 Stone Crabs
12986
Recently, at least in my case, I've found that lack of motivation comes from two main personal issues:

1) You are not working with a clear guide or plan as to how to approach your project.

2) You are not creating a reminder or day-plan as to when you are going to work on your project and for how long.

At least for me, when I create a plan, or give myself an artificial deadline, it motivates me to work on the project more, and when I know I need to work on whatever in a series of steps, the project becomes more engaging for me.

Another tip is that if you are ever stuck on some feature in your game, or you don't feel like working on one particular feature in your game, figure out what you CAN do that you enjoy more. For instance, lets say I get really bored with eventing and I don't feel like doing it. I'll go make some graphics instead, because I'd still be doing something productive.
Find other shit to do. When you do the same thing over and over again for years on end, you get burnt out. Life is about growing and learning, and if you're not, you get tired of it. Branch out and find new hobbies, not to replace the ones you have, but to supplement them. Refresh your mind and how you approach life.
I'm noticing a theme in your activities; it's all video games, and it all involves you working on something. You are likely out of creative energy. Spend too much time creating and you're bound to hit a wall.

Take some time to relax and/or appreciate the works of others. This will allow new ideas to come into your head, and perhaps inspire you to take your work in a different direction than you might have once thought. I'm not suggesting that you just straight-up jot others' ideas down for your own use, just to allow yourself to draw inspiration from them.

I've had the same problem many times. Change up your routine for a while, and then go back when you feel you're ready.
Aye, I'll admit that all I do is play/work on games (or working on something in general, as I hate not progressing in anything. The moment I stop working on something, I get bored really fast). I honestly don't know HOW to relax and/or enjoy myself, truth be told. The few things that I'm interested in are well...the only things I'm interested in for the most part. I've been told to get some new hobbies or something, but there's just nothing that either I CAN do or am interested in. Kinda sucks in a way. ^^;;
pianotm
The TM is for Totally Magical.
32347
There is this thing called writer's block. Here is the trick to destroying: every day, when you are finishing writing, don't finish. Never commit your complete thought to paper. That way, when it is time to return to writing, you will always know what happens next. When you end the cliffhanger, save your hero and eliminate the immediate danger, you go to bed fulfilled, with the new ideas in your mind running their course, and when you are awakened, they are gone. Then when you go to write, there is no, "what happens next?" because you've already written it. Meanwhile, the ideas that generated while you were writing the day before are gone and now you have no way of easily stimulating them. THIS is writer's block.

author=Xenomic
Aye, I'll admit that all I do is play/work on games (or working on something in general, as I hate not progressing in anything. The moment I stop working on something, I get bored really fast). I honestly don't know HOW to relax and/or enjoy myself, truth be told. The few things that I'm interested in are well...the only things I'm interested in for the most part. I've been told to get some new hobbies or something, but there's just nothing that either I CAN do or am interested in. Kinda sucks in a way. ^^;;


For you, this is relaxing. This is what you enjoy, so enjoy it, and if you have stopped enjoying it, enjoy something else for awhile. I enjoy working on pianos. It's job, but then again, it isn't.
author=Feldschlacht IV
Find other shit to do. When you do the same thing over and over again for years on end, you get burnt out. Life is about growing and learning, and if you're not, you get tired of it. Branch out and find new hobbies, not to replace the ones you have, but to supplement them. Refresh your mind and how you approach life.
Yeah, I agree with this. Do other stuff in-between production so you have a fresh mind-set upon resuming your project. Helps like you wouldn't believe.
Rave
Even newspapers have those nowadays.
290
The best advice I can give is just sit down, open up RM, FE wiki, screen recorder (to do LP), and start doing it. After first few minutes you'll get into "flow" and you'll keep doing it until some distraction happen. Works for me, maybe it'll work for you as well.

Also I've learned that listening to good pop music (The Wanted, One Direction, One Republic, even some tracks of Britney) while you are doing what you should helps with motivation. Some say dubstep/trance/techno works as well, but for me it never worked.

//edit: Feldschacht's advice is sound as well.
author=baoxiaotian
Anyone can buy art, and for almost any reason. Many individuals buy an paintings simply because they like it, even ifSPAM the paintings may be by an unidentified specialist.
Sneaky spambots.

As for how to get motivation, I find that taking breaks is a must, as some said. If you do gam mak nonstop as soon as you get free time, you'll tire pretty fast. Especially since some of the stuff you do is pretty repetitive.
Playing other peoples games and watching movies is also a great way to get inspiration for your own game, so it's like a double bonus, yay!
author=Xenomic
Aye, I'll admit that all I do is play/work on games (or working on something in general, as I hate not progressing in anything. The moment I stop working on something, I get bored really fast). I honestly don't know HOW to relax and/or enjoy myself, truth be told. The few things that I'm interested in are well...the only things I'm interested in for the most part. I've been told to get some new hobbies or something, but there's just nothing that either I CAN do or am interested in. Kinda sucks in a way. ^^;;


Yeah, you have to go out and actually live your life. If you do nothing all day but the thing you've been doing, even if you love it, it will become stagnant very quickly without new things for it to be relative to.
{As for how to get motivation, I find that taking breaks is a must, as some said. If you do gam mak nonstop as soon as you get free time, you'll tire pretty fast. Especially since some of the stuff you do is pretty repetitive.
Playing other peoples games and watching movies is also a great way to get inspiration for your own game, so it's like a double bonus, yay!}

100% Agreed.
Linkis
Don't hate me cause I'm Cute :)
1025
Don't know where you live but have you considered things like long walks ?
Really long walks :)

Stay away from what you enjoy doing for a while and you might find yourself
anxious to get back to doing what you enjoy.

Also, friends and relatives. Talk to them since they should know you best.
Spend time with them doing what they enjoy doing and try to forget what you
enjoy doing so much....maybe when you get home you might what to jump on you
equipment and get back to work :)
@FeldschlachtIV: The only thing I can think of is to get a new job (I've been needing one for years (yes, years...I've been kinda half-arsing it but also having terrible luck with even getting one around here. Makes no sense when jobs say their hiring, I put in my application and call about a job, and then suddenly, they're not hiring anymore when they just put up a sign that says they're hiring...). Outside of that, I can't think of anything else I'd want to do outside of better myself on art (which I'm still not motivated on either). Yeah...I'm a pretty cut and dry guy I suppose you can say. ^^;


@Linkis: Well, I would do that if my folks actually did anything (we don't go out very often, and the things everyone else likes to do, I don't care for. Not a movie person, or a work-out person, or someone that likes to just walk around a store for hours and not accomplish anything). As for friends...I only see them once a month, if I'm lucky. They're usually busy with their own stuff until the "gaming party" day...at which point sometimes they spend 4 hours talking about random stuff while I sit in the corner drinking my drink or sleeping. Yeah...I don't honestly have much to say nor do with anyone I know. ^^;;

Though doing the walking thing probably wouldn't hurt. I do need to get some exercise after all...
author=Xeno
Not a movie person, or a work-out person...etc


Maybe you need to be some of those things. Branch outside your comfort zone and give other stuff a try. Working out in particular is something that everyone should do, like, objectively. Being out of shape is pretty bad, bro.
Rave
Even newspapers have those nowadays.
290
Heh, if only I'd like to be tired...


Anyway, I hope those hints given by me and others will help you, Xenomic. I've once seen great motivational video on YT, but lost link so I couldn't post it - if anyone knows what I am talking about please post it, it referred to gamedev specifically (not Extra Credits or any other YT show, I recall it was one-shot video). May have been by some famous gamedev persona, though I am not sure here.
Yeah like, when people say 'I've lost motivation in games what games will help me get motivation' I just kinda :/. Lost your motivation for playing or making games? Try;

Hanging with friends. Working out. Developing a new hobby. Get laid. Learn to play an instrument. Play games other than RPGs. Catch up on world news. Travel. Read some books.

Seriously, going from a guy who sat around playing video games all day to becoming a well rounded person was the best thing that could have happened to my creativity and perspective.
Yellow Magic
Could I BE any more Chandler Bing from Friends (TM)?
3154
Glad to see you're your usual self, Mog. Never change (before you accuse me of anyhting, I should point out I mean this in the most sincere way possible).

Don't know about you guys but when it comes to RM, I only really get motivated when I'm working to tight deadlines - that's why all of my games/demos to date were the result of competitions.

This phenomenon's also pretty common outside of RM (at least in my experience): Having a shedload of free time but being too lazy to do anything versus having other priorities (full-time work, etc.) and thus requiring you to use your time more wisely.

As such, maybe personal deadlines would be a good idea? e.g. telling yourself to complete work on that chapset by the end of the week or else you're a miserable failure (...maybe not as harsh as that but you get the idea).
(Has no idea who Mog is!)

@Feld: Well, I HAVE been playing a variety of games lately (God of War was the last one I played...didn't quite enjoy that one as much as Devil May Cry 3 though, and I've been in the Fire Emblem business as of late), so there's that. But outside of that...there's nothing that catches my interest. Doesn't help the town I live in is terrible for anything ever, and never any money to do anything (I don't work myself...been trying to get a job again for the past 6 years now. No go for whatever reason. Part of it is my fault yes, but as mentioned before...when places are hiring, you apply and check-in the day they have the hiring sign put out, and they say they're not hiring...).

I didn't get to really DO much when growing up either, so maybe that contributes a bit (wake up, go to school, come home, sit there and do nothing for 8 hours or so...that's how 20 years of my life went. Because gaming was restricted to 2-3 hours and on the weekends only. If I got to go to friend's, had to be home by 6 PM all the time. Not much time to do much of anything after school due to that so...yeah. :< ). Who knows I suppose? Though again, that workout thing is something I should do aye...just...ehhhhhhh....


@Yellow Magic: I once tried personal deadlines for various things that I did. Never followed through with them though as I always thought of them as well...they're never that important for me to make personal deadlines on. Maybe that's why my game has been going on for over 5 years now. Hm...
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