I used the word game because game implies a sort of "formal structure" or "submission" to a set of rules and constraints. This kind of structure relieves us of the anxiety of choice. It's so powerful it can be euphoric, that's why people pay for others to dominate them . I think it's also why we get into drug habits and a lot of other vices that add structure to our lives.
It's fine in moderation but tackling ambiguity regularly makes magic happen.
Most of us are scared by the ambiguity of actual creative work, so unless we are under the threat of deadline, we seek out "structured games" to play so that we can put off the anxiety of freeform work. These games are:
(1) Tool Game: Researching and setting up tools
(2) Learning Game: Books, podcasts, courses
(3) Maintenance Game: Cleaning up our desktop, desk, house, etc.
(4) Process Game: Setting up new processes and following them
The knowledge that things are actually easy and straightforward means we actually need to do the creative part of the work--many people are not ready to face that knowledge.
It's fine in moderation but tackling ambiguity regularly makes magic happen.