Here's how you can effectively handle your workload as a game developer and avoid feeling overwhelmed.

Task prioritization is essential for identifying defects promptly. Without it, significant delays can ensue, and time lost may not be recoverable within the current project timeline. When a key feature of software is either undeveloped or riddled with bugs necessitating extensive refactoring, deprioritizing it could jeopardize the success of the software. Focusing on task prioritization ensures that vital features are developed and refined from the outset. It prevents setbacks and potential project failures that emerge from flawed or missing elements critical to core functionality. By concentrating on the most important aspects, you can sidestep inefficiencies and ensure that every effort enhances the overall vision and caliber of the game.

The summary to this section gives good broad highlights to breaking down your workload into something more manageable. The elephant is eaten one bite at a time. One should also give strong prioritization to tasks that may block other peoples' work. Not only is that vital to keeping "the machine" going, those are high-optic tasks, because they will be discussed if you slip on them. The person you're blocking will be asked why they aren't moving forward with a task, and the answer will be that they're waiting on you. Try not to let that happen, and be the first to bring them up before they're a problem if they do start to slip. Bringing attention to slippage ahead of time is the way to get support and potentially mitigate it.

Much as task tracking software like JIRA can be a pain as a creative-focused team member, it is essential for team management to understand how the big picture of the project is going. You're doing yourself and the rest of your team a huge favor by keeping tasks updated. If you're blocked on something, flag it as such and comment within the tasks why it is blocked. Then, talk with Management/Production to discuss options for unblocking and/or deprioritizing the task.

If you look at your workload and begin feeling overwhelmed, talk to your Manager and/or Producer about it. We all want to be seen as capable at our jobs, so that can feel like we're failing to meet the bar, but as specialists in our positions, we often know better than anyone else what is possible in a given timeframe. Remember, part of your job is being good at predicting what is achievable in the schedule and assisting with project scope. This should of course be balanced with being efficient at your job and growing toward that if you feel slow or are told you need to pick up the pace. But if your track record is solid, you should receive assistance when feeling overwhelmed. Keep the lines of communication open about your workload!

Being mandated to return to the office can be a major disruption. Losing personal time to commuting affects your health, from the need for an earlier start to the stress and dangers of driving. You might spend hours in traffic that could have been spent on healthier activities like a neighborhood walk. Remember to prioritize your health by using facilities like an onsite gym, walking during breaks, stretching, avoiding excess snacks, and drinking plenty of water.

Focus! One thing at a time, game development is hard (when simple), focus on the task at hand. Celebrate each milestone completed as you move forward in development, and set times for rest, distraction, and of course playing more videogames

To effectively handle your workload as a game developer and avoid feeling overwhelmed, prioritize tasks by urgency and importance, using tools like to-do lists or project management software. Break projects into manageable chunks and set realistic deadlines. Communicate openly with your team about your workload and seek support when needed. Schedule regular breaks to maintain focus and prevent burnout. Practice time management techniques such as the Pomodoro Technique. Ensure a healthy work-life balance by setting boundaries and making time for relaxation and hobbies. Regularly review and adjust your workload to stay on track and stress-free.