Five Ways to Avoid Burnout

All industries, all careers have a certain element of burnout. A rate at which those who work that job eventually don’t want to work it any more. Including writers. So what can we each do to avoid that within ourselves and in our friends/writing buddies?

If nothing else, the shut down of 2020 forced some people to realize that they had been burning the candle at both ends, and then made them try to slow down. But for some authors, 2020 and 2021 was when their businesses blew up bigger than they’d ever expected. No matter which camp you’re in, here are some things you personally can do to avoid the big burnout.

Be passionate.

If you’re writing for the big bucks, this might not be the career for you. But if you can’t stop yourself from writing because the stories and characters in your head don’t shut up, then you have a higher chance of making it. If you really love what you do, you won’t burn out nearly as quickly.

Be strategic.

Take the time to sit down and plot out a brand, business plan, strategies that are going to be most effective with the least amount of effort. Track everything so that you know what’s working and what’s not. Then focus your time on that 20% of work that brings 80% of the results.

Be aware.

Notice your responses to things. Does that one particular activity always leave you feeling drained? Resource that out, or automate it so that you can do the activities that leave you energized. Is a particular decision stressing you out and raising your anxiety? Get wise counsel then make a decision and move on. Does that person always seem to be negative and drag you down? Limit your time with them.

Be resourceful.

Set up as many things on automation as you can. The less you have to think about it, the less it will wear you out. Along the same lines, recognize what you’re not good at and hire someone to do that thing(s). Build yourself a team that all complements each other’s strengths and weaknesses rather than trying to do everything yourself. Rely on your Tribe.

Be brave.

The other side of the coin to Kevin J. Anderson’s Popcorn Theory (say yes to every opportunity) is to be wise enough and brave enough to say no when it’s appropriate. Don’t be afraid to step out into a new adventure. But also don’t continually overload yourself until you’re ground into apocryphal dust.