Burnout is the equivalent to running across the room at full speed, tipping over at the moment you least expect it (still at full speed), slamming your head on the edge of a coffee table, and finding rug burn on both your hands and knees. Best feeling in the world, right? Of course not! But seriously, burnout sucks.
If you’re like me (type A perfectionist), work never stops. Not because people are breathing down your neck, but you want everything to be done with perfection, reflecting the best work you can possibly produce. On top of that, creative work encourages sensitivity like grown adults to chocolate chip cookies. (Or is that just me?)
Sensitivity can lead to sensory overload. Sensory overload rams into burnout. And burnout turns into the dreaded writer’s hiatus. Don’t let burnout get to you. Instead, consider the following steps to prevent burnout.
Prevent the Burn
Step 1: Create a Mission Statement
I know you’re excited to conquer as many of your fantastic dreams as quickly as possible with your hard-hitting awesomeness. As a curious, wanderlust-driven creative, my mind whirs with completing writing projects, devouring books, planning vacations, and organizing my space all at once! If my brain was a browser, so many tabs would be open that it’d shut down the entire program. But a mission statement creates focus for your long-term goals, giving you the permission to say no to projects that don’t lead you towards your dreams. It’s okay. The projects that need your attention will benefit from you powering it up. We are finite beings with finite hours of the day. We should make sure that our time and energy is applied to the most important parts of our lives.
Step 2: Stick to a Writing Schedule
Use a system that works best for you (I combine the blocking system with the Bullet Journal‘s analog system) and set aside a particular time for writing. Whether or not the muse has arrived at that time, write. Punch out all the creativity you can during that specific time. Then let it rest. And try not to force yourself to keep writing at a different part of the day if your brain is waving in surrender. You can quickly jot down ideas when the muse decides to pass by. That’s fine. But you don’t want to run yourself ragged. Take control and remind yourself to rest, which leads us to . . .
Step 3: Commit to a TRUE Day Off
Just like settling on an actual time to write, commit your day off to full-on relaxation. Absolutely no working! Too much of a good thing becomes poison. If you work seven days a week, you’ll eventually start hating what you do. And if you hate what you do, your work will reflect that. You may write for your daily goal that you’ve committed to the #WriteChain or jot down a brilliant idea down that popped into your mind for your next project. However, try your best not to expound too much. Let it simmer ‘til your next scheduled writing session. What if you lose the idea? Then perhaps it wasn’t meant to be. Think of it this way. If you saw the car of your dreams in a showroom, would you ever forget what it looked like? I don’t think so.
Focus and accomplishments are definitely admirable. But remember that, as a writer, our mind and soul are where the best storytelling comes from. To keep doing what we love and to prevent burnout from creeping up to steal that love away, we need to show our mind, body, and soul self-love by sticking to our mission, setting a writing schedule, and committing to a true day off. Say no to burnout; invite productivity into your life.
Write Time
What effective ways do you use to prevent burnout? I’d love to hear your tips in the comments below!
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