Game development can be demanding, exciting, and relentless all at once. If you’re feeling overwhelmed by the workload, here are some tried-and-true strategies for staying sane.
1. Prioritize Tasks – Writing down specific tasks and creating a timeline can make an overwhelming task manageable. Start by tackling the most important tasks first, and break bigger tasks into smaller chunks to make the process seem less daunting.
2. Take Breaks – Continuous work can be exhausting. Whenever you’re feeling overwhelmed, take a break to clear your head and come back to the task at hand with fresh eyes.
3. Get Outside Perspective – A second opinion can help you keep things in perspective. Consulting with a trusted peer or mentor can help you make realistic goals, and bounce ideas off each other.
4. Streamline Communication – Having too many stakeholders means too many opinions. Streamline communications by identifying the most important people who need to be looped in at each step.
5. Get Help – Many game development studios have the resources for additional help. Don’t be afraid to tap into those resources when feeling overwhelmed.
6. Celebrate Wins – It’s easy to forget the successes along the way when enduring a large project. Celebrating small wins can help keep momentum going and boost morale.