I talk about motivating employees and the people we lead. But sometimes I too need help with motivation. I have been running an indie game design and publishing studio for the past 5 years, having released one game per year. This is my side hustle. I do it alongside my work as a leadership trainer. When I tell people I am a game designer and that I publish games, they are impressed. However it is not as glamourous as most people think. I spend much time, effort and money, creating and testing games, traveling and exhibiting at conventions, attending public events, managing logistics and sales. And sometimes I question myself - for what? What have I achieved? Is it worthwhile? Sometimes when I am bogged down by many issues, or tasks I'm poor at, or tasks that are necessary but unpleasant to me, I feel like shutting down and walking away. When you lose passion for your passion project, that project will probably die a slow death.
I try to spend time with my friends and my community. Relationships and people are an important source of support and inspiration. When there are other people as crazy as you are, you don't feel lonely. They are jumping in right beside you. I sometimes take a break, do something else, come back refreshed. I think most importantly I need to remind myself I always have a choice to walk away. If I don't like this, I can walk away. There are costs and losses, and I just have to accept them if I choose to walk away. And then I find that I choose to stay. This is something I choose to do because I believe in the value behind it. I make that choice every day.
