Ideas for managing overwhelm and burnout.

Show Notes:

Hello Indie Authors!

This is Episode 17, Season Two, and it's 7/17//2019 as I record this.

In Season Two, I'll be talking about Mindset and Work/Life Balance, and all the things that might fall under that category. If you have a particular topic you want to discuss or a question you want the answer to, please contact email me at valerie@ValerieIhsanAuthor.com.

But first Author Life segment:

• I've been thinking a lot about ways that I can help the writing community and that means YOU. I do have a coaching program that I'm designing with the help of business coach Racheal Cook, MBA--she does the Promote Yourself to CEO podcast. Highly recommend it! And also with the help of some author friends and some prior students. There are a lot of writing coaches out there and I want to make sure I can stand out in the crowd, and offer the help that writers need. Mostly, right now, that means I'm looking at what my strengths are and how I can translate that into a viable service that writers will pay for. Because, maybe like you, I want to make a living with my writing and with my author brain.

• Minnesota was a great experience. I reconnected with my sister, whom I hadn't seen in twelve years, back when we were more judgmental people. ;-)

• I'M READING: In fiction, The Reckoning by Louise Penny. And before that, Lost Lake by Sarah Addison Allen. Non-fiction: Twyla Tharp's The Creative Habit: Learn it and use it for life. (Recommended by Racheal Cook.)

• I'd like to remind everybody that this podcast is sponsored by my supporters at Patreon. And being a patron of the arts is a totally cool thing to do. Joining my Patreon community also gets you sneak peeks into my creative world. For less than a $1/month, less than a pack of gum, you too can become a patron of the arts, and me! Find me at: Patreon.com/valerieihsan.

Resources: Promote Yourself to CEO podcast by Racheal Cook, MBA

Main topic: Taking a day off vs. Goofing off (Managing Overwhelm and Pre-Burnout)

Taking time off to recharge is a necessity. Everyone seems to agree with that, but lots of entrepreneurs, stay at home parents, and grad students seem to agree with it in principle, rather than reality.

I'm good at taking time off when I need it. Saying Yes to myself, watching British gardening shows and Queer Eye on Netflix, or diving into a novel with a dog on my lap. Even napping or sitting in the hot tub when the day has just gone wonky. BUT, I'm afraid I'll Yes myself into laziness.

Where's the line between taking the day off and goofing off?

I know. And I bet you do, too.

The trick, I think, is to plan ahead--like budgeting--for the inevitable need to take time off--trying not to have it happen during a deadline or when my reputation, client satisfaction, or money are on the line.

1. I could plan one afternoon a week off to recharge.
2. I could say Yes to myself until I detox and naturally want to create and accomplish. (For burnout or extreme overwhelm.)
3. I could scale back and lighten my load so that overwhelm doesn't happen as frequently. (Requires some checking in and time budgeting.)
4. I could start saying No to things I want to do. I've mastered the saying No to things I DONT want to do.
5. Create systems so that projects take less time to do. (I'm still working on that. Read Running Down a Dream by Tim Grahl for help with that.)

In conclusion, when overwhelm or burnout occur, try on a little compassion. Things don't always go according to plan. Course correction, making a new plan, or sitting out the next dance are all successful tactics of successful authors.

What do you do when you hit overwhelm?