Your brain’s favorite illusion: “It’ll only take an hour.”
Spoiler alert… it won’t. On average, you underestimate by 40–50% every time. This isn’t optimism… it’s a cognitive bug that wrecks your motivation when the real-world boss fight takes 3x longer than planned. ⚔️
💡 How to Spot It:
You’re always behind schedule, even when you work hard. You feel frustrated, but the truth is… your timeline was a fantasy quest.
🧭 Counter-Strategy:
Double or triple your estimates. Build in buffer quests. Plan for the worst-case timeline, and finishing early will feel like a critical hit 🎯 instead of a crushing defeat.
✅ Action Checklist:
🔹 Review your last 3 “completed” projects… real vs. estimated time
🔹 Triple your next time estimate
🔹 Add 25% buffer between commitments
🔹 Track estimated vs. actual time for one week
💭 Ask Yourself:
When was the last time something took less time than expected?
What tasks always take longer than I think?
Am I setting myself up for success or disappointment?
⏳ Stop setting your quests to Nightmare Mode… plan for reality, not fantasy.
👉 Read the full breakdown on Vitality For Gamers:
🌐 https://www.vitalityforgamers.com/gamer-mindset/lifes-main-quest-7-traps-that-keep-you-grinding-side-quests/
