Overcoming Project Burnout

There are mechanisms within our mind we use to complete specific tasks. Each uses its own battery to power each project. Like the spoons concept, we have a limited amount of fuel for each thing we do. If we access too much of this energy we might completely drain the battery. If this occurs the battery loses its charge, and we can no longer draw from it. This effectively means we no longer have the desire or drive to complete the project. When this happens, we have officially fallen prey to burnout.

Recovering from this is incredibly challenging. The best way to avoid burnout is by protecting our energy reserves. We achieve this by refraining from pushing harder than is healthy and by integrating our dreams, passions, and purpose into every project.

When we work on projects that are not tied to our dreams, passions, and purpose it erodes our desire to create. If we focus on these projects too long our will to work on them will cease. This is why it is essential to search for ways to integrate our purpose into every project. Though this approach is valuable it does not guarantee we will have the energy to maintain our enthusiasm.

There are many pitfalls creative people face when working on projects (even when they are directly tied to our dreams, passion, and purpose). For example, we should avoid grinding in place. This means we are constantly working on a project without any meaningful gain. It is stressful in a unique way. While in this state we feel over and under stimulated at the same time. This breeds emotional confusion and as a consequence it may cause us to feel listless and sad.

Business and Creative expression parallel each other in a myriad of ways. Perhaps this is due to the emotional, spiritual and time investment required by both endeavors. Just like in business when we realize we are grinding in place we must pivot. This is a major change in the direction of the project or company focus.

All change is accompanied by a degree of stress and uncertainty. If we are already overwhelmed, this course correction may result in total burnout. In many respects this circumstance is “a damned if you do, damned if you don’t” situation. This is why personal awareness, discipline and self-maintenance is so important. The goal is to preemptively avoid this potentially catastrophic scenario by following the cardinal rule of entrepreneurship. “You must always protect yourself.” A story won’t write itself and a company can’t run without you, so you must take care of yourself.

When we are grinding in place, we must make a change or face burnout. When we realize our actions are not leading toward the results we want, we must rethink our approach. Business parallels creative expression in this way. When something isn’t working, we need to pivot. The cardinal rule of any pivot is every change must remain within the purview of the brand.

In the context of creativity, the pivot must remain true to the vision. If a project already has a fan base the content must remain within their expectations. If we deviate too far we will lose the audience we are attempting to entertain. Over the past few decades, the entertainment industry has consistently broken this rule and as a consequence fans have turned away from the stories they once loved.

The way we respond to our audience’s reaction to the pivot is equally important. People like what they like, and we should refrain from blaming them when they do not want to purchase our product.

Blaming fans in my opinion is a symptom of society’s most threatening disease: diabetes of the soul. We have been told so many times that we are amazing beyond belief that the experience of rejection has become intolerable.

As a creative we must be ready for rejection, because every time someone consumes our content there is a good chance they won’t like it. Showing our work to the world is akin to asking someone out on a date. We must be ready for them to say no, while having the confidence and personal power to push forward until someone says yes.

Rejection is a complex experience. It often hurts and it can incapacitate us, but it can also inspire our eyes to see new avenues and opportunities. If someone doesn’t like what we have to offer, we need to ask ourselves why. Why is our content unattractive and what can be done to improve it?

This is an important exercise of creative exploration. We must consider the thoughts and feelings of others, especially our target audience. If we allow ego to obstruct our opportunities for reflection we are doomed to repeat the same mistakes.

Like any emotion, rejection has nuance. We must be willing to listen, but we must also keep these voices outside of our mind.

Creative writing and leadership parallel each other in this circumstance. When leading it is wise to listen to our team, but we must limit the amount of information we are willing to receive. If we are not careful their ideas and vision will become our ideas and vision. While this may seem to be an indication of a well-oiled and effective running team. It is not. As a leader we have the ability to see the entirety of the business, while most employees are only aware of their immediate environment. Their role typically focuses on the micro level and as a consequence they cannot see the bigger picture.

When we are developing a project there are more moving parts than our audience can see. If we start changing all sorts of little details, it may result in catastrophic problems for the narrative. Even if it improves the story it may cause us to lose interest in the project, or altogether burnout creatively.

First and foremost, we write for ourselves. It is pleasurable to share our thoughts, feelings, and experiences with the world. If we only tell stories people request to hear, we will never create the ones we want to share.

Rejection can guide us toward a better path, but it may also knock us off the road. The key to managing rejection is to build emotional mechanisms that help us make the most of our moments while minimizing our hurt. How do we create a mechanism that is capable of insulating us against rejection? We have to create two stages of creative development.

In the first stage we need to be solely focused on finishing the concept. All we need to do is get the concept in a readable format on paper. If you are anything like me, I need outside energy to complete a project. I love positive affirmations, especially when it involves content I have mustered from my mind. Receiving encouragement throughout the first stage is essential. This means we must share our content with enthusiastic souls who are guaranteed to lift us up. The reason we do this is because new ideas are fragile. Even the slightest sliver of rejection may be enough to end the project prematurely.

The second stage is focused on refinement and correction. This is the time when we seek out critical souls who are eager to provide useful feedback. The key word here is useful. A lot of people will read it and offer you nothing in return. Others will say “oh it was good” and many won’t even read it at all. When this happens, it is heartbreaking and it may lead to burnout. It sucks when the significant people of our life are unwilling to participate in our interests, especially when they are directly linked to our purpose, passion, and dreams. Pick people who will honor their offer of helping improve the project. Set a deadline when the feedback must be received and offer them something tangible for their time and energy.

Our time and energy is valuable and as adults we don’t have enough of it. This is why it is essential we respect the time of others and our own. If we want to live the life of a creative person we must build it into our schedule. We must write every day without exception. When something is created, put it in a place where it can be found later. I like to post my little snippets to social media. I do this because first and foremost I am a storyteller and I thrive when others enjoy reading what I write. It also builds my resolve when facing rejection, it helps keep track of my ideas, and it introduces my thoughts to the world. I want to write professionally so this method suits me.

Some creative people refrain from sharing their content with the public because they are afraid, others don’t want to give anything away for free, while most just aren’t ready. At our core we need our ideas to be heard, experienced, and explored. If we don’t take the necessary steps to fulfill these needs, it will wear on our heart until even the most sweet and tart flavors taste boring and bland. We need to feed, so we must find ways to eat.

The key to avoiding burnout is by setting and maintaining effective personal boundaries. Not only do we have to protect ourselves from others, but we must also protect ourselves from our own harm. We are passionate people and as a consequence we often find ourselves pulled completely into a project. At times I know I have gone days without eating or sleeping to finish an important task. This behavior is unhealthy, and we must take steps to make sure we are taking care of ourselves.

I want to see you thrive while living your best life. I want to watch you grow, become bolder, and read your stories until I become old. I want to serve as your muse, inspire you to achieve great things, and encourage you to feel free enough to print all of your ideas.

If you have enjoyed my insight, schedule a coaching appointment with me and I will help guide you toward achieving your dreams.

Schedule a session with Shawn White to receive his Inspirational Guidance.