- 11.18.09
- Filed Under: Blogging, Business, Home Life
- 18 Comments
I’ve been noticing that a few of my favorite bloggers have been getting the burnout blues these days. And I totally get it. In this industry, it’s really hard to stay on top. To stay fresh and innovative and to approach each new day with a different set of enthusiastic phrases. And although I love what I do, the blogging blues can bite you when you least expect it. So today, I thought I would remind myself and all of you how to bring back that sparkle to the job that you know you love…you just might have forgotten why you love it.
1. Keep a gratitude journal. Sounds big time cheesy, I know. But writing down the reasons that we are grateful for our jobs, for our creative brains, for our lives…will remind us all as to just how lucky we are.
2. Take a break from the mundane and for one day, make it all about the fun. What does this mean? Well…if you are a florist and are bogged down in the business of being a florist, set aside one day to design flowers for your closest friends. Totally YOUR designs, influenced only by your love of your craft. For a wedding blogger this might mean spending a day with a cup of hot chocolate, sifting through all of your favorite vendor sites, finding inspiration in back copies of domino magazine, poring through galleries of your favorite weddings. Even reading your OWN blog to rediscover your voice, your passion.
3. Reserve a day just for housekeeping. It will be a brutal day…paperwork, number crunching, computer cleaning…but in the end, it will free up your brain space to get back to what you love.
4. Reserve a day just for brainstorming. Tait and I had a 2 hour meeting the other day to hash out all of the little details we needed to in order to move forward. It was hugely fulfilling and definitely reignited my motivation and excitement. Getting together a brainstorming meeting with your team will definitely bring back a little buzz. By encouraging everyone to participate (interns too) in your session, you’ll inspire them, you’ll potentially discover a different perspective, you’ll get the fun brewing among everyone.
5. At the end of the day, shut the computer off, swear off emails and grab a glass of wine or a hot cup of tea. Take a moment to think about your day and to find the bright spots, the spots that make your stresses all worthwhile.
I know that these aren’t particularly mind blowing ideas, but these are little things that I do to give myself a pick-me-up. Of course, we all struggle with different parts of our lives. Running a family, keeping a nice home, maintaining relationships with our friends, running a business. It’s basically impossible to do all of these really well but it isn’t impossible to fall in love with the journey.
THANK YOU!
Your business related blogs have done wonders for me! Maybe more than anything, its nice to know you’re not the only person dealing with the same struggles. Thanks for bringing the business end out in the open!
These r lovely ideas! Thank u for sharing!
It’s funny, I’ve been getting a little bit of bad buzz about backstage…mostly good, but a few criticisms here and there. But you know what. When I started my stationery company 6 years ago, I totally and completely relied on other people in the industry to help guide me. Without them, I wouldn’t have found any success at all.
Ladies take these truths in today or tomorrow. I can be a workaholic never realizing that I have nothing more to give out to myself, my family and my clients. These are not only great tips but essential ones, so don’t be afraid to “take the day off” business will be there tomorrow and you will be there sharper than the day before. Thanks for reminding us.
That is SO true Patricia. I think that I have taken 2, maybe 3 days off in the last 2.5 years and I always freak out that my traffic will dip and not return to normal. But I am always wrong…we have a loyal audience and a good brand and a day off is totally necessary to maintain the level of quality that we do. Great point Patricia.
Excellent points for new and veteran bloggers alike! And FYI I love the backstage section, as well. Great business info and strengthens the name of your brand at the same time!
This is some of the bets advice that I’ve read. Thanks so much for opening up your business because its really giving me some insight and clarity.
Abby,
While I love love looooove the wedding porn on your site, I’ve really connected with your backstage series. I’m pretty surprised that you’ve had criticism regarding this. I’m not a fan of women who pretend that they’re Superwoman, because it’s impossible to be perfect.
Keep it real, sister!
I truly appreciate your backstage blog, and I’m so bummed to hear that you get criticism. It’s probably the one sight that keeps me rolling on this journey of changing careers and following my passion in weddings. I admire you soo much, and hope you know that the work you do keeps me going when I get burned out. Thank you for doing what you do!
Thanks for the post! I was just emailing with a fellow blogger about blog-atigue (blog fatigue) and how I need a blog-acation (blog vacation). Definitely nice to hear I’m not the only one out there feeling burnt out.
I have been feeling a little blogger burnout as well. Great tips to take into consideration!
All great suggestions!!
Thank you, what a well-timed and great reminder.
Thank YOU! I always enjoy reading your blog and soaking in all the amazing eye candy. Your site inspires me!
I really like the addition of backstage as I too am a small business owner and mother of a beautiful baby girl… always trying to find balance with all of the things I like and need to do.
I think … that Abby’s advice about going back and reading some of your own earlier posts is spot on! Sometimes, when I do that, I think, “Wow … did I write that?!” (in a good way!)
All super ideas! I keep a thankful journal too, it really helps to keep me grounded.
I have to add and admit that I sometimes blog-cheat and prepare for a day or two off (or a busy day or two of work away from the computer) by writing 2-3 posts at once and then using the feature that schedules the posting date/time… one for the next 2-3 days.
I heart backstage and hope you don’t let the minority voice of criticism ruin it for the rest of us!
thanks for posting this! It seems that everytime I come to backstage to see what advise you have to offer, there is usually something that hits it dead on! Ive totally been in the rut. Finding a million other things to do besides get near the computer (its not hard to find those other things to do with a 2 year old!).
I am surprised too that you have received criticism about backstage. I think that a person that shares the wisdom that they know is a humble and respected person.
Thank you!
BTW, I think I could be speaking for others with this…but Id love to know your favorite blogs! You have a great eye for beautiful things and would love to know a few of the blogs that you find amazing. I love finding new blogs that are great!