Notes from a Hired Pen: How to prevent writing burnout

Readers!

 

 

Time to open the mail bag! A reader writes: “How do you rest from writing so you don’t get burned out?”

I’m going to answer this in two parts. I suspect the second part is what the reader is asking about, but the first part might be worth your time too.

Micro view: Burned out and on deadline.

You don’t think you can write another word, but you have two more (or three, or four) deadlines ahead of you, all bunched up together. As much as you’d like to quit, you can’t, because your reputation/professional relationships/mortgage payment depend on it. Despite the advice I give in the second part of this answer, this still happens to me sometimes. So here’s what I do:

• Make a to-do list. Ugh with the to-do list, I know, but they work! I write a to-do list for every work day, so I’m used to it, but if you’re not in the habit of doing so, make one about everything you have to accomplish while on deadline. And make some of those items quick, easy wins, so while you might have “finish story for X,” you can also add items like  “reach out to Y source” or “follow up on Z statistic.” Breaking down the impossible into small bites can help move you along.
• Change the tunes. I usually listen to WRTI, Philadelphia’s classical musical station, when I’m working. I have it on right now! But when I’m really in a crunch, I put on something else to push me ahead, like the Walt Disney World Magic Kingdom entrance audio loop, Epcot entrance audio loop, or Train Journey to the Norwegian Arctic Circle. I’ve also put on B-list 1950s movies on my iPad, and used one of the free Spotify stations that play Disney piano, Italian dinner music or dub step. It may take some trial and error to find what works for you (my brother, for example, listens to orchestrations of video game music) but if you can change up your musical background, it can help and also become a signal so, in the future, when you put this on, you know it’s time to get to work.
• Take a break. I know this might seem impossible on deadline, but unless you’re dealing with super fast breaking news, you can probably afford to take 10 minutes to change the laundry, 20 minutes to walk your dog, or a half hour to an hour to do a workout or take a shower — or even a bath — just something that doesn’t involve screens. I too can get in a deadline tunnel when it feels like I’m trapped and if I try to leave, the world will end, but in reality, we can take a few moments to yourself even if it’s just five minutes to stretch a bit. And giving your brain a break from staring at a computer could also help you solve a problem you’re facing. There’s a reason why my best ideas come when I’m running or in the shower: taking pressure off my thoughts allow them to breathe. And if you feel bad about taking a break, think about how many old journalism movies show people smoking a cigarette when they need to think. This is the same thing, but without the harmful side effects.

Macro view: Preventing burn out before it sparks.

• Negotiate deadlines to fit your schedule. Like just about anything else on an assignment, deadlines are often negotiable. If I want to take something on, but I know it’s too much for my schedule, I’ll ask if they can move back a deadline, or if there’s any wiggle room in case I need it. I rarely get a no. Think about it this way: how many times have you turned something in and not gotten feedback on it for days or weeks? There’s often space, though if you can, ask for a different deadline up front rather than dropping that request close to the deadline, because by that point, there may not be any give.
• Say no to aggravating work. Sometimes it’s not the writing itself that burns you out, but who you’re writing for, because some clients can be exhausting. They won’t answer emails on time, they send you 15 rounds of edits, they want you to work holiday weekends, they pay too little, or they don’t pay you on time (and make you feel bad for daring to ask where your money is). Or it may be that you just don’t want to write about this thing anymore, and continuing to do so is dragging you down, even if you’re good at it, it pays well, and you like the people you’re writing for. As I’ve said many times before, if a client is keeping you up at night, and not in the fun way, they gotta go. I know this is hard, especially if you’re starting out or you’re struggling, but investing some time to find a replacement for this work can lift such a mental load, and potentially address a big chunk of the burn out issue.
• Have non-writing interests. Doing things other than writing can stop you from overloading yourself with it. I run, obviously, and surf, but I also cross-stitch, and I’m earning a proficiency in Italian certificate. While writing may overlap some of these (I did write a book about running, after all, and I’m seeing English differently by learning another language), all of these interests are their own thing. I’m grateful that I can do something else with my noggin.
• Enjoy the down times. I was in a weird spot the beginning of this month where I had signed contracts for $15,000 of work in a short span of time, but didn’t have the details to start any of the assignments. I did some marketing, but I also took naps, saw a mid-day movie, took Bonnie to the dog park, and ironed out the details of a planned July vacation. So by the time all those details for all those assignments came in, I was rested and ready to rock and roll.
• Take a break. While I’m happy to be busy again, and had some deadlines changed to work with my schedule, I still have a lot due by the end of May. I can get it done, but because I know it’s going to get hectic, and I’ll be tired after that sprint, I’ve blocked off a few days in June to not work. I know this is not an option for everyone, especially if you have another full time job, but giving my brain a rest is helpful — and I can because of the work life I’ve created for myself.

Recent Bylines

“Is the learning industry facing disruption again?” for HR Dive

“Culture continues to be an HR challenge. Here’s what to do about it.” for HR Dive

 

What I’m Reading

• You Only Call When You’re in Trouble by Stephen McCauley. Zach Wilcha, who writes the wonderful newsletter Book ‘Em, Zach-o, called this book “gentle” and “pleasant,” which is just what I was looking for.
• Free Fire (Joe Pickett #7) by C.J. Box. I learned more about Yellowstone National Park in this crime novel than I did when I visited the park, which honestly is on me. But still: I’m glad I caught up, even seven years after my first time there!
• Beyond All Repair. This is a podcast, but since I put audiobooks here, I am going to fudge the rules a bit, about this investigative series from WBUR Boston. I gasped more than once as the story unwound.

What I’m Watching

• Mr. Bates vs. the Post Office. This four-part mini series is based on the true story of how the UK Post Office ruined people’s lives in defense of a software system. Toby Jones continues to take on interesting roles that make me not scared of him after being so frightening in Armin Zola in the Avengers movies. The Detectorists are also good for this — and a lovely series if you haven’t caught it yet.
• Call the Midwife (season 13). Not my favorite season of this long running British show about midwives on the east end of London, now into the 1960s. They don’t seem to know what to do with Trixie (and I won’t say more because I don’t want to spoil it for anyone!) It’s still very good, and the season finale had me crying per usual, but this season was a bit of a dud.
• The Fall Guy. I loved loved loved this movie. It’s big and bright and funny and fun. I know that’s not how everyone feels (my mom loved it; dad hated it), but if you just want to slip into another world for two hours with the goal of having a good time at the movies, you couldn’t make a better choice. And if you need another reason to go: I haven’t seen practical stunts this good since Mad Max: Fury Road.

 

 

Nail polish of the week
Bikini So Teeny by Essie. I love my Philadelphia Phillies, and I love their powder blue uniforms, which is why I picked this color. It’s also one of Essie’s most popular shades, and perfect for warmer weather.

Until next time,
Jen A. Miller
Notes from a Hired Pen ebook series

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