So I set a goal to finish my revisions by May 25th.
Ha. Hahaaha. HA!
I set the goal because I was having a hard time getting motivated. But in this case, a deadline just made my problem worse. I wasn’t 
having a hard time focusing and working because I was lazy or distracted. I was shirking because I was on the verge of burning out.
Burn out, for me, happens when I push myself too hard just for the sake of being done. I find myself completely blocked. If I do may any progress at all, it’s just throwing something on the page so I can move on and be done with it, often not really improving the problems (or simply noting them and moving on).
I can work quickly, especially when I’m really excited about a story. But if I’m not excited about the story at the moment (or just overwhelmed by it), I need to allow myself to slow down. So I am. I might flirt with a story I shouldn’t be writing if something strikes me. I might just work on my crafts or play the piano, or explore another creative outlet.
But I still have good news for you: I’m going to do some website/blog critiques! Sign up in the comments before noon EST on Friday, and I’ll randomly draw three sites to critique. Website designer Ted Finch will also be on hand to critique the visual aspects of the lucky websites!
Don’t have a blog or website yet? Don’t worry! I’m also looking for one volunteer who doesn’t have a website or blog. We’ll be working together to get you set up, with the results posted as a tutorial! Again, this will be chosen at random from the comments left here before noon EST Friday.
The lucky winners will be announced on Friday. The critiques and tutorial will be posted starting June 6.
How do you avoid burnout? (Or just volunteer in the comments 😉 )
Photo by Patricia Espedal
I take some time off and just read. Other times I work on another project.
Oh – a website critique!! Nice! When I start getting burned out with a story I let myself sketch out one of my new shiny ideas. I just make sure to come back and finish what I started with. When I get burned out on writing I go do something really fun (roller coasters anyone?!).
I think I’ve done it. I’ve been following you forever and have never been able to figure out how to comment. Yahoo! Maybe I can’t comment on the email form of the blog? Anyway, Yay for me. I’d love you to critique my blog. I’m new and need all the help I can get.
I have to take a break and read to avoid burnout. It has to be a really good book though, to get my heart into the craft again. After that I’m full steam ahead.
As for the blog critique…I’d love to sign up! email: deanabarnhart@gmail.com and blog: http://www.deanabarnhart.blogspot.com
Well shoot, my computer messed up so I don’t know if it took my comment…
To get out of my burnout rut I read a really really good book. That fires me up again!
I’d love to sign up for the blog critique:)
deanabarnhart@gmail.com
http://www.deanabarnhart.blogspot.com
Gosh, I SOOOOO know how you feel right now. LOL. I’ve just blogged (again) about my slacker ways lately 😉 But I figure I need a change of pace/activity, and I’m okay with that! With BuNoWriMo coming up in June, I feel inspired!
I don’t deal with burnout very well – I admit. I just keep trying to find another gear until I crash. Then I’m forced to rest and recuperate and find a semblance of balance again. I am getting better though – kinder to myself. It’s just hard to cut the ties and walk away sometimes. Running helps.
I’d love to have my blog critiqued.
I’m up for a website critique, but since Ted designed mine, I’m not sure how fair that will be. lol It would still be interesting to get your feedback and hopefully increase the web presence. Sign me up! 🙂
I would love some feedback on my blog. I just started in October and have been winging it. What should be there? Where should stuff be? How to find interesting tools for design?
*waves* Pick ME! PICK ME! I’d love to have a blog and/or website critique. And as far as burn out goes, it usually means I need to take a break and read a few good books. That always seems to energize me.
I just finished making my website, like yesterday. So how cool if I win! 🙂
I’ve found that if I don’t write, even if I don’t feel like it, I won’t get where I want to go with my writing. For me, the actual creation process is the hardest part of writing, so if I can at least get something down on the paper, even if it’s not great, the next time I look at it I have something to work with. Not the dreaded blank page. Thanks for offering this contest, Jordan. 🙂
Burnout. Yeah. Sometimes I can’t avoid it and I take a long, long break like I’m doing right now. 🙂
Oh, oh, this sounds like fun! I’d love a kick in the right (write) direction. I know my blog could use some help, I wouldn’t mind knowing what I should look at first.