Quitting video games can be a huge mountain to climb.

 

It’s so easy to fill your time up with shooting sprees on GTA, shooting hoops on NBA 2K18 and shooting it straight into the back of the net on FIFA.

 

But get this.

 

Video games are one of the biggest productivity killers and for some people, a brutal addition.

 

So I’ve pulled in recovering video game addict and member of CGAA (Computer Gaming Addicts Anonymous), Scott Jennings, to share his experience and what methods have worked for him.

 

Game Changer: 5 Tips For Quitting Video Games

 

Many modern video games require large amounts of time for their players to excel.

 

This can create a situation where almost anyone can suffer problems in their relationships, careers and health due to the endless hours poured into games.

 

When the problems and pain grow too large, most people find the motivation to take control, set limits and refocus their lives.

 

But a small minority of problem gamers suffer from a true obsession and compulsion that bring all attempts at effective moderation to failure.

 

It also make all vows to quit gaming short-lived.

 

These five tips are for those who suffer from compulsive gaming.

 

They are based on the many years of accumulated experience of hundreds of people recovering from video gaming addiction.

 

 

1| Give The Necessary Priority To Not Gaming

 

Ask most people what their top priorities in life are and you are sure to hear many of the same answers: family, career, friendships, health, dreams, goals and important causes.

 

For those suffering a crippling compulsion that sabotages any and all of the most important things in life, it becomes necessary to give top priority to doing whatever it takes to overcome that compulsion.

 

Abstaining from games needs to be number one.

 

 

2| Make Your Goal To Not Start The First Game Just For Today 

 

The only day we can exercise any control over is today.

 

Today we can’t abstain from gaming next week or next month.

 

Keep focus where the rubber hits the road and avoid the pitfall of setting abstinence goals.

 

Telling ourselves that we will abstain for a month gives us the message that we may very well game again in the not-too-distant future, a message that sabotages our efforts to live completely free of compulsive gaming today.

 

 

3| Maximize Contact With Those Who’ve Achieved Quitting Gaming 

 

We become like those with whom we surround ourselves.

 

This powerful life principle can be put to work on any goal.

 

Use it by maximizing contact with people who have stopped gaming long-term and turned their lives around for the better.

 

We can read what they have written, seek contact by email, phone, or face-to-face, make friends among them and ask them for support.

 

Support groups such as Computer Gaming Addicts Anonymous and Reddit’s StopGaming can be found online and are powerful resources for quitting video games.

 

 

4| Overcome Denial And Reservations

 

For some, the love of gaming and memories of good times blot out awareness of the negative effects and unpleasant memories of isolation, loneliness, frustration, losses, pain, and problems at work and in relationships.

 

We must allow ourselves to see and accept the unpleasant realities connected to compulsive gaming.

 

By listening to the stories and honesty of those who have already overcome denial, we can dramatically speed up this process.

 

We must also accept that our attempts at moderation have consistently ended in failure if we want to escape endless cycles of repeating those failures.

 

 

5| Try The Suggestions Of Those Who Are Now Where We Want To Be

 

Don’t spend years of trial and error, tripping up on the common mistakes and getting stuck in ruts and repeated cycles.

 

Instead, seek the experience and guidance of those who have already been through the process and start putting the most effective approaches to work now.

 

Many people with years of experience have already achieved results we would like to emulate and are willing to share in support groups what worked well and what didn’t.

 

If we keep an open mind and experiment with new approaches, we are sure to discover which set of tools works well for us.

 

Got any tips for quitting video games? Feel free to help each other out by sharing them in the comment section below.

 

And if you want to fill your time with something more productive, why not start one of my free 30 Day Challenges to become happier, fitter and more productive.

 

 

The post The Expert Guide To Quitting Video Games appeared first on 30Figured.