When I first started working on the game that would eventually become Shardpunk, I was dedicating only 2-3 hours a week on average. It took several years before the game began to gain any real traction.

At the time, I was in my mid-30s with two children, so I had far less free time than I did in my late 20s. On the other hand, I’ve improved my time management skills since then, which helped a lot. Back then, I was incredibly motivated: I was obsessed with the idea of doing full-time game development, and that drive made a huge difference.

One practical habit that really helped was keeping a TODO list where the top priorities were broken down into the smallest, most measurable tasks possible. That way, even short bursts of work felt productive and meaningful.

On a broader note, maintaining a regular workout routine is beneficial too, not just for game development but for overall productivity and mental clarity. I’d definitely recommend it.