Procrastination: The No. 1 Enemy of Indie Developers

For independent game or software creators, getting ideas off the ground is thrilling but tough. Amidst the challenges, one big enemy stands out: procrastination. It’s that habit of delaying work, getting sidetracked, and falling for distractions—a huge problem for many indie developers.

Time is super important for indie creators. Every minute spent on coding or designing adds up towards making their idea a reality. But procrastination sneaks in, making developers put things off, focusing on small details, or endlessly planning without making real progress.

Procrastination tricks you into thinking you’re doing important stuff, but it’s really just fear in disguise—fear of not being good enough or failing. This fear makes creators avoid tasks, hoping for a ‘better’ time that never comes.

Indie developers often work alone or in small teams, without the structure of a big company. This makes it easy to get distracted by social media or random online stuff, wasting time that should be spent working.

Beating procrastination needs self-awareness, discipline, and planning. Recognizing what makes you procrastinate is the first step. Embracing imperfection and uncertainty helps you move forward, even if things aren’t perfect.

Breaking tasks into smaller steps and making a routine helps you stay focused. Creating a good work environment and avoiding distractions are important too.

Sharing your progress with others or finding someone to keep you accountable can motivate you to stay on track. Deadlines, even ones you set yourself, push you to get things done.

Most importantly, focus on progress, not perfection. Each small step counts towards your goal, even if it doesn’t seem like a lot.

Indie developers can’t afford to waste time. Procrastination slows progress and stops great ideas from becoming real. By recognizing it, understanding it, and finding ways to beat it, indie developers can make their projects a success. It’s a tough battle, but with determination, they can win and bring their creative ideas to life.