[Sarcast]

Hello guys, I play a lot of video games and what not(online) and I I do tell myself " 3 games then study", but then I start losing and my rank(league of legend elo) goes down and I am left with a desire to get back what was lost and improve my rank. It is all in my head the rank is nothing significant, but I just find it difficult to balance and organize myself , please I need help.


Last year I didnt have a computer and I studied every single day, but I still played Playstation 2 a considerably large amount of time. Now that I am in College and the courses require a bigger deal of effort I am here presented with an issue, that consumes my everyday life.


Issue: Play games, lose games, Play more games, lose games, Play more games. There is no end because there is no end goal. This is similar to a gamblers addiction.

[Opressoliber]

One of the best thing that happened to me is that I didn't have enough money for a good computer so I was stuck with my crappy 1.6 ghz P4 + Geforce 2 until 2010!!!!

It's a cruel, cruel way of doing things but it might work.

[Hellraiser]

It has to do with stress. If our life sucks, where no one is supportive and hope is seemingly lost or we're just plain tired of having to do things to improve ourselves when goals will not be reached we do repetitive things such as intense research on things which has little practically in the world or we do repetitive things like playing games all the time. Doing things to self preserve our sanity.

Examples:

1. Playing video games non-stop for several hours repeatedly every day or every other day.
2. Going to wikipedia, and then spending 3-5 hours looking up other information unrelated to the original search.

Believe it or not, it all stems from having access to technology: smart phones, laptops, etc. This doesn't affect only INTJs but most other types. If there's no one or nothing to pull us from a certain addiction we become too self involved. INTJs can become massively aimless if there are no goals or something to strive for despite what others claim that we have things under control.

[Swanee]

So what does playing games do for you that studying for a better future does not?

[mastermind23]

It has to do with stress. If our life sucks, where no one is supportive and hope is seemingly lost or we're just plain tired of having to do things to improve ourselves when goals will not be reached we do repetitive things such as intense research on things which has little practically in the world or we do repetitive things like playing games all the time. Doing things to self preserve our sanity. Examples: 1. Playing video games non-stop for several hours repeatedly every day or every other day. 2. Going to wikipedia, and then spending 3-5 hours looking up other information unrelated to the original search. Believe it or not, it all stems from having access to technology: smart phones, laptops, etc. This doesn't affect only INTJs but most other types. If there's no one or nothing to pull us from a certain addiction we become too self involved. INTJs can become massively aimless if there are no goals or something to strive for despite what others claim that we have things under control.

That is very true and insightful. What would you propose as a solution to such a situation? It seems to be an addictive cycle.

[Quiet Riot]

Go 5 days without playing. Learn to live without it for a few days, and you will gain more self-control. Giving in to your desire to keep playing is a positively reinforcing cycle: you think you cant stop yourself, so you dont try to stop yourself

[Sarcast]

	Originally Posted by Quiet Riot To view links or images in this forum your post count must be 2 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.
	Go 5 days without playing. Learn to live without it for a few days, and you will gain more self-control. Giving in to your desire to keep playing is a positively reinforcing cycle: you think you cant stop yourself, so you dont try to stop yourself

Well, it's more so that I do so out of habit and just continue on. I say: "Ok im done" and just continue because it annoys me that instead of an imaginary progress I declined. In my case losing urges to keep playing.

---------- Post added 02-06-2011 at 12:54 PM ----------

Originally Posted by Hellraiser To view links or images in this forum your post count must be 2 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.

It has to do with stress. If our life sucks, where no one is supportive and hope is seemingly lost or we're just plain tired of having to do things to improve ourselves when goals will not be reached we do repetitive things such as intense research on things which has little practically in the world or we do repetitive things like playing games all the time. Doing things to self preserve our sanity. Examples: 1. Playing video games non-stop for several hours repeatedly every day or every other day. 2. Going to wikipedia, and then spending 3-5 hours looking up other information unrelated to the original search. Believe it or not, it all stems from having access to technology: smart phones, laptops, etc. This doesn't affect only INTJs but most other types. If there's no one or nothing to pull us from a certain addiction we become too self involved. INTJs can become massively aimless if there are no goals or something to strive for despite what others claim that we have things under control.

Even when I was young if it wasn't gaming, it was looking at information that could be beneficial to me. For example, "what does headstand do", benefits of proteins, benefits of exercising, etc

[Beric]

I, admittedly, have a very similar issue. I tend to be good about not playing games or watching anime until I have a slot of free time, with nothing urgent. But browsing the internet/researching cool topics/visiting forums, that's another matter. ADHD doesn't help, nor do my habits and rather addictive personality (if I get into something, I get into it big-time or not at all). I frequently say, "I'll study for the next 3 hours." But then I "just have to check my email to see if I got an email from a professor", and then 5 hours are wasted.

My current issue is that here in my junior year of college, I have no problems maintaining a 3.3 GPA with barely any effort whatsoever. I test extremely well, even on topics I know nothing about. I write B-grade papers in one go, barely any time taken. But I know I'm easily capable of a 4.0, if only I actually studied and put in some serious effort.

Tomorrow I'm going in to chat with the director of the academic skills center here at college. Should be very helpful, as he's an expert at organization, time management, and study skills. I know it would also be great if I could enlist a friend to help keep me accountable. I'd recommend you do things like these, and see where you go.

[Sarcast]

Originally Posted by Beric To view links or images in this forum your post count must be 2 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.

I, admittedly, have a very similar issue. I tend to be good about not playing games or watching anime until I have a slot of free time, with nothing urgent. But browsing the internet/researching cool topics/visiting forums, that's another matter. ADHD doesn't help, nor do my habits and rather addictive personality (if I get into something, I get into it big-time or not at all). I frequently say, "I'll study for the next 3 hours." But then I "just have to check my email to see if I got an email from a professor", and then 5 hours are wasted. My current issue is that here in my junior year of college, I have no problems maintaining a 3.3 GPA with barely any effort whatsoever. I test extremely well, even on topics I know nothing about. I write B-grade papers in one go, barely any time taken. But I know I'm easily capable of a 4.0, if only I actually studied and put in some serious effort. Tomorrow I'm going in to chat with the director of the academic skills center here at college. Should be very helpful, as he's an expert at organization, time management, and study skills. I know it would also be great if I could enlist a friend to help keep me accountable. I'd recommend you do things like these, and see where you go.

God, you should tell me your secrets

[Luciferus]

It's about acquiring a habit. Just set a goal and do not do anything else than doing things toward reaching it. If it's a long-term goal, create a short-term milestones and follow these.

You get "success" hormonal reward into your brain after reaching each milestone so after some time you behaviorally learn to do this instead of games for a gratification.

[Night Runner]

Nothing we can tell you, no gizmo or gadget will help you break your addiction - in the end, it's all up to you. (Just like everything else in your life.) Do a logical analysis of certain tasks' cost/benefit. For example, if you play your game, your life won't change too much. If you ace your classes and get a degree (with honors, distinctions, etc.), you'll be able to get a good job and your quality of life will go way up.

When I had a hard time concentrating on my studies in college, I'd reward myself with a few minutes of video games/Internet/whatever in exchange for doing a certain amount of work. For example, I wouldn't touch my computer until I read 25 pages of my homework assignment.

[Sarcast]

Well for my first step I unistalled the games that I play which highly annoys me, but whatever. I just think I will get tired of following this routine :
School, study, shower, sleep.

[Beric]

	Originally Posted by Sarcast To view links or images in this forum your post count must be 2 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.
	God, you should tell me your secrets

So do you have things about school you're good at? For example, I'm ADHD, gifted and an INTJ. Those things all compensate for each other, and it's kind of a lazy existence of under-performing compared to my capabilities. However, because I've "survived", I was, for example, only diagnosed with ADHD last year (and a pretty strong case of it too - little doubt of a misdiagnosis here). The main problem I have (and you probably do too), is that we're much more capable, and want to be, but we're not "bad enough" to be in dire straits. I've only gotten one grade below a "B" in my life (not even a B-), and when I got that D, it was a significant event in my life. It's almost like a trap...

[Spanishiwa]

I wish you the best of luck, Sarcast. I've found that having something to do during the down time that you would normally be playing games is very helpful. Just be careful that that something isn't just as unproductive and addictive as the original problem..

I'd recommend socializing as a replacement, but it's very difficult (at least for me).

[Night Runner]

	Originally Posted by Sarcast To view links or images in this forum your post count must be 2 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.
	Well for my first step I unistalled the games that I play which highly annoys me, but whatever. I just think I will get tired of following this routine : School, study, shower, sleep.

Going cold turkey right away isn't likely to help you, either. The dieting industry came up with this little factoid - when people make the switch from junk food to eating healthy and being active, most of them end up burning out and going back to their original habits, simply because the transition was too rapid and radical. Take it slow. Cut down on your gaming gradually. (People who quit smoking use similar strategies.) I predict that if you try to go from gamer to zero (like you just did), you'll have a relapse within the next two weeks.

And as for your boring routine, I think the answer lies in time management skills. Unless you're taking eight classes at the same time, you should have more than enough time left over from all the school, homework and showering.

[Beric]

Originally Posted by Night Runner To view links or images in this forum your post count must be 2 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.

Going cold turkey right away isn't likely to help you, either. The dieting industry came up with this little factoid - when people make the switch from junk food to eating healthy and being active, most of them end up burning out and going back to their original habits, simply because the transition was too rapid and radical. Take it slow. Cut down on your gaming gradually. (People who quit smoking use similar strategies.) I predict that if you try to go from gamer to zero (like you just did), you'll have a relapse within the next two weeks. And as for your boring routine, I think the answer lies in time management skills. Unless you're taking eight classes at the same time, you should have more than enough time left over from all the school, homework and showering.

Garr! How do you guys do this? I've been browsing the internet, learning more about various Myers-Brggs types, interactions, etc. for the past 3 hours when I need to be doing some website and internet research for my academic club (I'm in an officer's position). I seem to be an incredibly organized procrastinator. My roommate is an INTP, and oftentimes he simply doesn't care if he doesn't get around to something. I care. Yet it still doesn't translate into action.

[karenann33]

Last year I went through some financial difficulties and as a result I cancelled my internet. It was the best thing that ever happened to me. Then when the crisis was over I got the internet back and truly I wish I hadn't. I'm not a gamer but I spend way too much time on-line unnecessarily.

[zergonipal]

	It's about acquiring a habit. Just set a goal and do not do anything else than doing things toward reaching it. If it's a long-term goal, create a short-term milestones and follow these. You get "success" hormonal reward into your brain after reaching each milestone so after some time you behaviorally learn to do this instead of games for a gratification.

Luciferus is 100% right - don't say to yourself, "today I am quitting games forever", say "today I am not going to play any games". One day feels like an achievable goal whereas a perpetual 'forever' can seem impossible. And once you have that one day under your belt, another won't seem so bad. Keep it up, study more, and you'll start to notice improvements in class, you'll find you have more time for other friends and other interests, and the sense of success you get from that will in time be so much more than the one you get from beating your highscore - since, after all, you'll have achieved something concrete and real.

(if it helps, can you do without a computer at all for a few days? Lock it in a cupboard or put essential cables in a friend's sock drawer? It's not a permanent solution, but it can help for the first few days of breaking the habit)

[Paul Siraisi]

I've had multiple episodes of that problem. They ended when, having obsessed sufficiently, I lost interest in the game. And now I've obsessed sufficiently over computer games in general....

I can still go past my bedtime when some interesting email/forum discussion comes up, but it was the computer games that really caused a problem. Answer: grow out of them.

[BuShinJu]

Can you do your study at the library, physically get up away from your computer and go stay at the library, with your books and study pals even.

[Sarcast]

	Originally Posted by Paul Siraisi To view links or images in this forum your post count must be 2 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.
	I've had multiple episodes of that problem. They ended when, having obsessed sufficiently, I lost interest in the game. And now I've obsessed sufficiently over computer games in general.... I can still go past my bedtime when some interesting email/forum discussion comes up, but it was the computer games that really caused a problem. Answer: grow out of them.

You got tired of gaming is what you are saying? I enjoy games and I have played since I was a child with very minimal of human interaction so replacing it is rather difficult when the next best thing is forced learning. Now I love learning, but forced learning I do not.

---------- Post added 02-06-2011 at 08:29 PM ----------

	Originally Posted by BuShinJu To view links or images in this forum your post count must be 2 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.
	Can you do your study at the library, physically get up away from your computer and go stay at the library, with your books and study pals even.

That is possible. I can do that in order to get out of my home-viornment(yes I know).

[Axion004]

Originally Posted by Sarcast To view links or images in this forum your post count must be 2 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.

Hello guys, I play a lot of video games and what not(online) and I I do tell myself " 3 games then study", but then I start losing and my rank(league of legend elo) goes down and I am left with a desire to get back what was lost and improve my rank. It is all in my head the rank is nothing significant, but I just find it difficult to balance and organize myself , please I need help. Last year I didnt have a computer and I studied every single day, but I still played Playstation 2 a considerably large amount of time. Now that I am in College and the courses require a bigger deal of effort I am here presented with an issue, that consumes my everyday life. Issue: Play games, lose games, Play more games, lose games, Play more games. There is no end because there is no end goal. This is similar to a gamblers addiction.

Make some "friends." That way, instead of going back to your computer and playing the game you will have something else to do. If that fails get a job or get involved in a research project. I had the same problem(Not so much with playing video games in general but more so with the lack of desire to do the schoolwork).

[Sarcast]

	Originally Posted by Axion004 To view links or images in this forum your post count must be 2 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.
	Make some "friends." That way, instead of going back to your computer and playing the game you will have something else to do. If that fails get a job or get involved in a research project. I had the same problem(Not so much with playing video games in general but more so with the lack of desire to do the schoolwork).

Gosh, it's rather difficult for me to make "friends". I make acquaintances, but most of the time it's a in class friendship. By research project what exactly do you mean?

[Atrer]

	Originally Posted by Hellraiser To view links or images in this forum your post count must be 2 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.
	2. Going to wikipedia, and then spending 3-5 hours looking up other information unrelated to the original search.

To view links or images in this forum your post count must be 2 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.


Hmmmmm......
I do that a lot. I never really thought of it as an addiction though.

[VF1J]

I have an internet addiction... I need the internet for research... but I get sidetracked alot. Like the time I spent about an hour researching shrimp and land crab keeping.