Have you ever been in a situation where you know that you have to make decisions, but there seem to be just too many options available to choose from and you end up putting off making those decisions.
This is the situation I am currently in with regard to my ongoing Belle Époque project. Whilst I was on our recent cruise, I tried drawing a basic campaign map that showed the relative locations on the imagi-nations ... but somehow, the end result was not very satisfactory. Likewise, I tried working on a draft of my Portable Belle Époque Wargame rules ... but I just didn't feel that the end result felt right.
Things have not changed since I got back, and I seem to be in the doldrums*.
I then happened to watch a YouTube video by a Canadian railway modeller in which he described exactly how I was feeling ... and he defined it as 'analysis paralysis'. This is:
'a state where overthinking or over-analysing a situation prevents a person from making a timely decision.'
This is EXACTLY the situation I find myself in. I need to stop dilly-dallying (i.e. Constantly answering myself questions such as 'Should I draw my campaign map before I write my rules?'; 'Should I use a hexed or squared grid?'; 'Should I add a couple more armies or should I crack on and fight some battles?') and make a decision. As the YouTuber pointed out in his video, it might end up not being the right decision, but a decision is better than no decision and will at least take your project forward.
* The Cambridge Dictionary defines 'the doldrums' as:
- Unsuccessful or showing no activity or development and
- A period of being sad or bored and with no energy or enthusiasm.
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I'm sure a lot of us experience what you are going through, Bob. Things will fall into place at some point though - hopefully sooner rather than later!
ReplyDeleteBest wishes,
Aaron
I'm familiar with this. Especially as a railway modeller. A friend of mine used to say "the thickest book ever would be titled Planned, but never built layouts". And I've found that it's better to lower the ambitions sometimes and do SOMETHING and not ending up as an "Armchair modeller". That same friend also said when I built the smallest garden railway ever (just an oval with a couple of switches); "Congratulations ' you've built and completed a layout and that's more than many in this hobby does. So at least you have somewhere to run your trains". And he was right. Start with something small or easy.
ReplyDeleteBOB,
ReplyDeleteI'd crack on with a number of games on Hex Terrain with your 15mm Armies- a campaign map can wait. Cheers. KEV.
This reminds me that, perhaps every year or so, the Guardian runs an article about procrastination (am attribute I sometimes share). One year, I recall that the article referred to a SURVEY of people who procrastinated. But surely, I thought, really committed procrastinators wouldn't have got round to replying to the survey!?
ReplyDeleteAt some point I think many of us go through this. My own usually starts with what to work on next? Plenty of starts and stops often finds me nowhere.
ReplyDeleteThe best cure I have found is beginning something, anything. This cracks through the barrier and what I may have started might not be were I finish but I do finish things. I also get more productive when I set myself dates to complete things. That upcoming finish line reminds me to get going on things. I hope these suggestions help. Very much looking forward to new rules, battle reports and all the other inspiration you provide.
I am absorbed with fantasy campaigns, maps, character development and random events. However, my view is if I get to much into over thinking something to take a few steps back to keep the playability aspect. For example, I don't get to deep into the economic and character family aspects. The supply rules are kept consistent but also relatively simple.
ReplyDeleteAnalysis paralysis...the story of my life lately! I sort of wonder if its an age thing. It now takes me forever to "push the button," so to speak, on a decision whereas 20 years ago, I would just do it and not go back and forth second guessing myself.
ReplyDelete