Objective Secured

I find myself in, what I like to think we all suffer from time to time, a hobby slump. What’s interesting about this for me right now is that I have not had more passion for the 40k game and my local community than I do right now. I want to be doing hobby – and I have plenty to do! Just ask any of my closest mates and they will tell you I have more than enough projects to be on with.

The problem, at least so far as I can narrow it down – stems from a couple of key factors.

Firstly, I have a lot of terrain to paint – ALOT. I am running a 70 player event in about 3 months time so there is a lot of work to do just to be able to get this many tables sorted. Terrain and I have always had a rough past and I would always rather build and paint pretty much anything else than this. I now find myself in a position where I not only need to do it, but I HAVE to do it and that’s making me procrastinate like any good gamer when faced with an obstacle they just want to avoid.

Secondly, I still have a lot of background work to do for the event. Testing the scoring software, arranging the catering, organising the logistics of moving 35 tables worth of terrain… and the list is growing each day.

Lastly, I want to be painting my Word Bearers. I have Lorgar sat here in box as well as Gal Vorbak in transit along with the 80 odd cultists and 30+ marines… and I want to be building and painting them – but if I start them then the terrains chances of being done are low at best!

Throw in renovations happening at home, 3 kids to help my wife with as well as spending time with her and working full time and I quickly realised that by the time I am able to do any hobby, I am too damn exhausted to do anything anyway!

So how do I break this self perpetuating cycle?

For me – its a simple fix if I am honest.

I need to suck it up and get started! Sounds straight forward, but once I actually decide to do something, I get it done. I have painted many a 1850 army in a matter of weeks simply because it had to be done. The difference here is that due to the sheer volume of terrain and outside things to get sorted, I think I am going to have to do something I don’t normally do…

Make a list!

I need to break up the things to do into manageable chunks and tackle them in small stages so I feel like I am making progress. I know this about myself and I just need to commit to it and do it.

Rather than just putting a list on my desk though – I have decided to let the blog be my motivator.

I have my first trial video I need to edit and upload

I have a table worth of terrain built that needs to be painted

I have much more terrain that needs building/repairing/painting

I have a scoring system I need to test

I have score cards I need to design and get printed

I have a meeting with an App developer that I need to finalise

I have promo items for the tournament that I need to lock in and get sorted

All of this I will be documenting daily here. What am I actually achieving towards these goals and am I on track to be sorted for 27th of November.

Each day I will commit to a new task for the next day and then post the success or failure. Only by making myself accountable will I get it done. It works for me and I am sticking to it!

What helps you get out of your hobby slump? Got any suggestions to keep me motivated? Let me know in the comments!