Burnout

Players experience burnout when they become exhausted and no longer care about completing tasks. Plenty of players struggle to avoid this situation. The following article lists some common causes for burnout and various approaches to preventing and managing burnout when it occurs.

Unrealistic Expectations
Most people are optimistic about the time and energy they have available. While this can encourage you to challenge yourself, it makes it essential to re-assess now and then. Dailies may need to change into habits, or to dos into dailies. Things you simply do not have time to work on can be removed, or you may want to put a to do list entry to consider them again in a month. It's also common to set goals somewhat arbitrarily at first, using round numbers, and then adjust them to really suit you.

For example: you may start with a requirement that you exercise for half an hour a day. It's a reasonable starting point, but not terribly flexible. If you feel guilty about this not working for you, you might be tempted to avoid the whole thing. However, if you ask for advice from a fitness coach, you'd probably tweak the habit instead. They might suggest changing to an every other day schedule, learning a light and short workout for busy days, and a fun challenge twice a week. You can keep adapting to suit your needs, and to keep challenging yourself. You might also need to drop parts of your routine during certain months. If you plan for this, you can add a to do for starting again.

Insufficient Challenge
It's easy to get bored if you're never getting hurt, or aren't taking on challenges that interest and push you, or aren't expecting yourself to contribute anything. Try picking two new things you need to do, and are interested in doing, such as a daily, and a challenge.

Unsatisfying Rewards
Do you have reward costs set so high you rarely buy them, or so low you don't have to make an effort? Are you making sure to have real life rewards that make you genuinely happy, such as a meal out with a friend? Are you only buying in game rewards? (see: Don't forget custom rewards )

Social Engagement
Friendship and advice can really be helpful in fighting burnout. An interesting conversation can keep you hooked, and other players have probably fought similar obstacles. Introverts and extroverts may be satisfied with very different levels of socializing, but in small doses, it really is genuinely useful for everyone. A party can be fun, a guild can be full of good advice, and the tavern usually has a fun challenge to offer.

If you can, find a way to contribute that suits you (code, the wikia, social groups, gems). The more you've invested, the more you'll get hooked.