Gaming is more than just a hobby—it’s a passion, a way to unwind, and for some, even a potential career. But let’s be real: balancing gaming with work, family, and other responsibilities isn’t always easy. Whether you’re grinding ranks in competitive games, exploring vast open worlds, or speedrunning your favorite classics, finding time for both gaming and real-life tasks can be a challenge.
That’s where a task manager like Planndu comes in. With the right tools and strategies, you can enjoy your gaming sessions without sacrificing productivity. Whether you game casually in the evenings or dream of going pro, here’s how you can use the app to upgrade your time management and ensure you’re winning in both virtual and real-life quests.
The Gamer’s Dilemma: Time Management
We’ve all been there—you sit down for “just one more round” and suddenly it’s 2 AM. Or maybe you planned to complete a project after a quick gaming session, only to find yourself deep into a raid that took way longer than expected. The biggest struggle for many gamers is managing time effectively while still making room for their favorite games.
If you:
- Work a full-time job and want to relax with gaming in the evening
- Want to take gaming more seriously but struggle to balance practice with responsibilities
- Keep missing deadlines or appointments because of gaming sessions that go overtime
…then it’s time to approach your gaming schedule with a strategy. And the best tool to help? Planndu.
How Planndu Can Help Gamers Stay on Track
✅ Use Checkboxes for Your Daily Quests
Just like in RPGs where you have main quests and side quests, your real-life tasks need to be tracked. Planndu lets you create simple checklists so you can easily organize your day.
Example: Before diving into Elden Ring, I check my Planndu list:
- Finish work tasks
- Walk the dog
- Pay bills
- THEN, conquer the Lands Between!
Checking off tasks before gaming makes the session guilt-free and more rewarding.
For those taking gaming more seriously, checkboxes can also help track in-game progress and training goals:
- Competitive players: List daily skill drills (e.g., aim training, strategy review, or mechanical practice).
- Streamers: Create checklists for content planning, setup, and engagement tasks.
- Speedrunners: Track runs, times, and specific techniques to refine.
Using checkboxes like in a quest log helps ensure that each gaming session is productive and intentional.
⏳ Pomodoro Timer for Focused Gaming and Work Sessions
Ever heard of the Pomodoro Technique? It’s a method where you work in short bursts (e.g., 25 minutes) and take short breaks in between. It’s perfect for gamers who need to focus on work before jumping into a long session.
- Set a 25-minute timer in Planndu to complete a task.
- After four cycles, reward yourself with some gaming time.
- If you’re practicing for esports, use the timer to focus on training sessions without burnout.
- Customize your time settings in Planndu—it doesn’t always have to be 25 minutes!
- Want to enjoy 50 minutes of uninterrupted gaming before a short break? Adjust the timer to fit your schedule and optimize both work and play.
This technique helps avoid procrastination and ensures that both your work and gaming time are efficient.
⏰ Reminders and Repeat Reminders to Stay on Schedule
Sometimes, you just need a little nudge. Planndu’s reminders make sure you don’t forget important responsibilities.
- Example: I set a reminder for 10 PM—”Time to log off Elden Ring and sleep!” (Because let’s be honest, I’d keep exploring if I didn’t.)
- If you’re training for competitive gaming, set repeat reminders to practice specific skills daily.
- Want to stream regularly? Schedule reminders for setup and preparation.
- Set reminders for when to start and when to finish your gaming session. This ensures that you stay on track and don’t lose hours without realizing it.
When you get consistent notifications, you’re less likely to lose track of time.
🎮 Collaborate and Share Tasks with Friends
Gaming is even better when played with friends. Whether you’re running a raid, practicing team-based strategies, or planning a co-op stream, keeping everyone on the same page is crucial.
- Use shared tasks in Planndu to assign roles and responsibilities within your gaming group.
- Plan game nights or training sessions together by sharing scheduled tasks.
- Make a checklist for group objectives, such as tournament prep, team strategies, or even just deciding which game to play next.
By collaborating with friends, you ensure that everyone is prepared and sessions run smoothly, making gaming more efficient and enjoyable.
How I Use Planndu for Elden Ring
Elden Ring is a masterpiece, but it’s also a time vortex. There’s always another boss to defeat, another area to explore. I used to start playing after work and suddenly realize it was way past midnight.
Now, with Planndu, I manage my gaming sessions better:
- Checklist: Before playing, I make sure my essential tasks are done. I also create a list of in-game goals, like farming runes, defeating a boss, or finding a specific item.
- Pomodoro Timer: If I need to do some work first, I set a 25-minute focus session. If I’m grinding an in-game task, I might set a 50-minute timer to make sure I take breaks and don’t get burnt out.
- Reminders: I set a reminder for when to start my gaming session, so I don’t push it too late and mess up my sleep schedule. I also have a “final boss” reminder—when it goes off, I know it’s time to wrap up my session or at least find a good stopping point.
- Shared Tasks: When I’m playing with friends, we set shared objectives in Planndu—whether it’s clearing a dungeon or setting up a co-op night, we stay organized together.
This method has not only improved my time management but also made gaming more enjoyable because I no longer feel guilty about skipping responsibilities.
Gaming and productivity don’t have to be at odds. With Planndu, you can make time for both work and play, ensuring you stay on top of your responsibilities while still enjoying your favorite games!
Ready to take control of your time? Download Planndu and start balancing your quests today! Happy gaming! 🕹️
