Breaking Free from Gaming: A Journey to Accomplishment
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Chapter 1: A Wake-Up Call
Recently, I completed Atomic Habits by James Clear, which reminded me of Stephen Covey's works. Both authors excel at synthesizing complex subjects into accessible formats. This reflection on my time usage led me to a stark realization: I have been squandering precious time. Instead of producing tangible results, I often focus on merely keeping my mind engaged. This could stem from my family’s history with dementia or perhaps a subconscious aversion to work. Regardless, it became clear that I needed to reassess my habits and initiate change.
The Allure of Gaming
One of my favored pastimes is playing video games. I have a nostalgic fondness for early PlayStation titles like Jet Moto 2 and R4: Ridge Racer, as well as the classic Tekken 2. My gaming journey began with Atari's Pong, a budget-friendly introduction to the gaming world. Today, I have moved away from consoles and predominantly engage with computer games. Currently, various solitaire games, including card games and chess against AI, occupy my time.
The Time Drain
I recently evaluated my gaming habits over the past year, particularly focusing on the time spent on my primary Linux computer. I also occasionally used a Windows laptop for card games. Here’s a breakdown of my gaming activity:
- Solitaire: Bear River — 6,036 games
- Seahaven — 1,200 games
- Klondike — 802 games
- Golf — 635 games
- Freecell — 436 games
- Block Ten — 344 games
- Diamond Mine — 267 games
- Accordion — 18 games
Total: 9,738 games
Assuming an average of 2 minutes per game, that equates to approximately 19,476 minutes, or over 324 hours—essentially 13.5 days of gaming.
When it comes to chess (on chess.com), I typically play about 5 games a day, averaging 6 minutes per game. This adds up to 30 minutes daily, or 10,950 minutes in a year, translating to about 182.5 hours, which is just over 7.5 days.
All told, that’s around 21 days spent gaming in a single year—about a month’s worth of weekdays. A month dedicated to gaming amounts to 8% of my time.
What might I have achieved instead?
- I could have penned a short story or even part of a novel.
- I could have authored 21 articles on Medium.
- I could have expanded my knowledge of my wife's language.
- I could have launched my first podcast.
- I could have crafted lyrics for several songs.
"I coulda been somebody…" — a line from On the Waterfront resonates here.
Mantras of Intent
I often find myself saying:
- I’m going to…
- I’m planning on…
- I want to…
- I will…
My Action Plan
Confronting these statistics has compelled me to acknowledge the reality: I am investing far too much time in gaming and losing sight of my true aspirations. The challenge lies in breaking this habit. However, I've made progress in recent days by limiting my gaming time (one day, I played only 3 solitaire games and 1 chess game). I am also implementing a reward system—allowing myself to play only after completing more important tasks.
I have articulated my aspirations and distilled them into a succinct statement: I am a creative. This broad declaration gives me the freedom to explore various creative outlets, aligning with my personality that values diversity.