Comments on: Are You a Burnt Out Freelance Writer? How to Tell http://www.freelancewritinggigs.com/2008/08/are-you-a-burnt-out-freelance-writer-how-to-tell/ Freelance Writing Jobs for All Writers Sat, 11 Feb 2012 17:52:56 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: 10 Bad Freelance Writing Habits You Need to Break | Freelance Writing Jobs http://www.freelancewritinggigs.com/2008/08/are-you-a-burnt-out-freelance-writer-how-to-tell/comment-page-1/#comment-41509 10 Bad Freelance Writing Habits You Need to Break | Freelance Writing Jobs Fri, 29 Aug 2008 14:45:42 +0000 http://www.freelancewritinggigs.com/?p=1115#comment-41509 [...] always good to have backup. As a result, I’m seeing many freelancers suffering from burnout or not being able to complete projects on time. By all means, have a diverse list of clients, but [...] [...] always good to have backup. As a result, I’m seeing many freelancers suffering from burnout or not being able to complete projects on time. By all means, have a diverse list of clients, but [...]

]]> By: Aurora http://www.freelancewritinggigs.com/2008/08/are-you-a-burnt-out-freelance-writer-how-to-tell/comment-page-1/#comment-37919 Aurora Thu, 07 Aug 2008 11:44:51 +0000 http://www.freelancewritinggigs.com/?p=1115#comment-37919 Thanks Amy, that was very helpful. I think I should just throw caution to the wind, and do it (easier said than done, I'm sure). Possibly if I suggest a time that is a couple months from now to give plenty of preparation time it will work out okay. Thanks Amy, that was very helpful. I think I should just throw caution to the wind, and do it (easier said than done, I’m sure). Possibly if I suggest a time that is a couple months from now to give plenty of preparation time it will work out okay.

]]> By: Amy Derby http://www.freelancewritinggigs.com/2008/08/are-you-a-burnt-out-freelance-writer-how-to-tell/comment-page-1/#comment-37854 Amy Derby Thu, 07 Aug 2008 00:52:03 +0000 http://www.freelancewritinggigs.com/?p=1115#comment-37854 Aurora -- I have several lawyers I blog for daily, and I was forced into taking time off at the beginning of the year because I had mono. Looking back, I don't think I would have gotten so sick if I hadn't worked myself into physical and mental burnout beforehand (as I tend toward workaholism and was working 15+ hr days, including weekends). My advice for taking a much needed break, for physical or mental health (whatever the case is), based on what worked for me is to offer to find a replacement and/or to give as much notice as possible (so that they may find someone to replace you or so that the transition in training the new person goes as smoothly as possible). I think it would largely depend on what type of work you're doing. I had a few jobs where literally no one could do what I do -- at least not without spending a month or more getting familiar with my clients' cases -- and in those cases my clients were really hurt by it. I did lose one client because of having to take time off. But in my case it couldn't be helped, as I literally couldn't sit up and could barely see, let alone type or think. I think the important thing is to do what you have to do for yourself and just do the best you can to make sure your clients are covered. Be prepared that reality may play out that you may lose some work, so if possible have a bit of reserve pay saved up before you take off and/or a plan in mind for how you will make up for the lost pay once you return to work. If it's only a week, it might not be that big of a deal. In my case, it was more like two months before I could go back to working a full load. So hopefully you'll have it easier than I did. :-) Aurora — I have several lawyers I blog for daily, and I was forced into taking time off at the beginning of the year because I had mono. Looking back, I don’t think I would have gotten so sick if I hadn’t worked myself into physical and mental burnout beforehand (as I tend toward workaholism and was working 15+ hr days, including weekends). My advice for taking a much needed break, for physical or mental health (whatever the case is), based on what worked for me is to offer to find a replacement and/or to give as much notice as possible (so that they may find someone to replace you or so that the transition in training the new person goes as smoothly as possible). I think it would largely depend on what type of work you’re doing. I had a few jobs where literally no one could do what I do — at least not without spending a month or more getting familiar with my clients’ cases — and in those cases my clients were really hurt by it. I did lose one client because of having to take time off. But in my case it couldn’t be helped, as I literally couldn’t sit up and could barely see, let alone type or think. I think the important thing is to do what you have to do for yourself and just do the best you can to make sure your clients are covered. Be prepared that reality may play out that you may lose some work, so if possible have a bit of reserve pay saved up before you take off and/or a plan in mind for how you will make up for the lost pay once you return to work. If it’s only a week, it might not be that big of a deal. In my case, it was more like two months before I could go back to working a full load. So hopefully you’ll have it easier than I did. :-)

]]> By: Beth from Avenue Z http://www.freelancewritinggigs.com/2008/08/are-you-a-burnt-out-freelance-writer-how-to-tell/comment-page-1/#comment-37823 Beth from Avenue Z Wed, 06 Aug 2008 20:44:34 +0000 http://www.freelancewritinggigs.com/?p=1115#comment-37823 I'm more worn out than burned out, I think. I'm coming to realization that I can't bill more than about 4 hours in any given day. I just go brain dead. Anyone else? That being said, I have lamented the lack of a real vacation numerous times on my blog, and I'm really starting to whine. I’m more worn out than burned out, I think. I’m coming to realization that I can’t bill more than about 4 hours in any given day. I just go brain dead. Anyone else?

That being said, I have lamented the lack of a real vacation numerous times on my blog, and I’m really starting to whine.

]]> By: Aurora http://www.freelancewritinggigs.com/2008/08/are-you-a-burnt-out-freelance-writer-how-to-tell/comment-page-1/#comment-37782 Aurora Wed, 06 Aug 2008 18:15:26 +0000 http://www.freelancewritinggigs.com/?p=1115#comment-37782 I myself am starting to feel the edges of burnout, and both mind and body are crying for a break (a real vacation-like break). As a freelancer and contracted writer in some cases, I don't have any entitlement to off-time. I do worry about the loss of income, as well as potentially losing a freelance job. In some cases my clients, where I am in a contract agreement, might need to find another freelancer to do my tasks if I am unavailable. Has anyone else dealt with these kinds of issues? Would love some advice, if any of you have some to spare. :) I myself am starting to feel the edges of burnout, and both mind and body are crying for a break (a real vacation-like break).

As a freelancer and contracted writer in some cases, I don’t have any entitlement to off-time. I do worry about the loss of income, as well as potentially losing a freelance job. In some cases my clients, where I am in a contract agreement, might need to find another freelancer to do my tasks if I am unavailable.

Has anyone else dealt with these kinds of issues? Would love some advice, if any of you have some to spare. :)

]]> By: Alik http://www.freelancewritinggigs.com/2008/08/are-you-a-burnt-out-freelance-writer-how-to-tell/comment-page-1/#comment-37779 Alik Wed, 06 Aug 2008 17:57:16 +0000 http://www.freelancewritinggigs.com/?p=1115#comment-37779 I just pulled out of a big burnout...and not a moment too soon! I just pulled out of a big burnout…and not a moment too soon!

]]> By: Jodee http://www.freelancewritinggigs.com/2008/08/are-you-a-burnt-out-freelance-writer-how-to-tell/comment-page-1/#comment-37698 Jodee Wed, 06 Aug 2008 13:21:40 +0000 http://www.freelancewritinggigs.com/?p=1115#comment-37698 Looking at the list, I realized that I was burnt out at different times at previous jobs. I'm starting to learn how to set a better schedule for myself and not to say Yes to everything, or at least say Yes, I can do [such and such] but I won't be able to start until.... and it's worked out well. Looking at the list, I realized that I was burnt out at different times at previous jobs. I’m starting to learn how to set a better schedule for myself and not to say Yes to everything, or at least say Yes, I can do [such and such] but I won’t be able to start until…. and it’s worked out well.

]]> By: Jaq http://www.freelancewritinggigs.com/2008/08/are-you-a-burnt-out-freelance-writer-how-to-tell/comment-page-1/#comment-37675 Jaq Wed, 06 Aug 2008 11:35:44 +0000 http://www.freelancewritinggigs.com/?p=1115#comment-37675 I don't think I'm a burnt out writer. I'm just a burnt out worker from working too much. I don’t think I’m a burnt out writer. I’m just a burnt out worker from working too much.

]]> By: Kathryn http://www.freelancewritinggigs.com/2008/08/are-you-a-burnt-out-freelance-writer-how-to-tell/comment-page-1/#comment-37665 Kathryn Wed, 06 Aug 2008 10:21:07 +0000 http://www.freelancewritinggigs.com/?p=1115#comment-37665 Interesting list - I think I'm a burnt out mom ;). Even when you are doing what you love, it is easy to overwhelm your schedule to the point that you begin to resent it all. Take breaks, be realistic about your work load, and don't put "it" off until tomorrow. Interesting list – I think I’m a burnt out mom ;) .

Even when you are doing what you love, it is easy to overwhelm your schedule to the point that you begin to resent it all. Take breaks, be realistic about your work load, and don’t put “it” off until tomorrow.

]]> By: Deb http://www.freelancewritinggigs.com/2008/08/are-you-a-burnt-out-freelance-writer-how-to-tell/comment-page-1/#comment-37641 Deb Wed, 06 Aug 2008 09:31:09 +0000 http://www.freelancewritinggigs.com/?p=1115#comment-37641 There were times I suffered from burnout. I think it's important to take time and think about how WE"RE doing - not everyone else. Freelancing is great but not at the expense of your health and your sanity. I don't like being cranky all the time. There were times I suffered from burnout. I think it’s important to take time and think about how WE”RE doing – not everyone else. Freelancing is great but not at the expense of your health and your sanity. I don’t like being cranky all the time.

]]> By: Roberta http://www.freelancewritinggigs.com/2008/08/are-you-a-burnt-out-freelance-writer-how-to-tell/comment-page-1/#comment-37590 Roberta Wed, 06 Aug 2008 00:47:41 +0000 http://www.freelancewritinggigs.com/?p=1115#comment-37590 I'm a burnt out 9 to 5'er...does that count? I'd love to freelance full-time.....soon soon :) I’m a burnt out 9 to 5′er…does that count? I’d love to freelance full-time…..soon soon :)

]]> By: Dr. Beverly Potter http://www.freelancewritinggigs.com/2008/08/are-you-a-burnt-out-freelance-writer-how-to-tell/comment-page-1/#comment-37573 Dr. Beverly Potter Wed, 06 Aug 2008 00:12:00 +0000 http://www.freelancewritinggigs.com/?p=1115#comment-37573 For a lot of information about job burnout with quizzes see docpotter.com For a lot of information about job burnout with quizzes see docpotter.com

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