Game Diagnosis Worksheet

When to use this

• The same freelance problem keeps returning under different names.
• You feel reactive and want to understand the structure before acting.
• A client situation feels messy and you want the cleanest next move.

How to use this worksheet

This worksheet is for the moment before the emotional reaction takes over. The goal is not to theorize forever. It is to name the structure clearly enough that the next move becomes obvious.

1. Name the visible symptom in one sentence.
2. Map the players and what each side wants.
3. Identify what is hidden, rewarded, or repeating.
4. Choose the smallest structural fix and make it a default if it works.

Use with

• Freelancing is game theory
• Client signaling and screening
• Outside options and negotiation
• Freelance contracts: the clauses that matter

FAQ

How detailed should I get?

Only detailed enough to change your next move. If the worksheet becomes procrastination, stop and act.

Can I use this for workload problems too?

Yes. Burnout and overload get clearer when you map incentives, commitments, and concentration.

How to customize

1. Add your own common failure modes if you keep seeing the same stress pattern.
2. Keep answers short enough that the worksheet still leads to action.

Related Codex pages