Every feel like you just need a break? As a freelancer, we work a lot, especially in the beginning. If you’re like me you feel like turning down a job is a bad thing, so you keep building up your client base and doing more work. I’ve had to learn when (and how) to just walk away from the computer and let me mind focus on something else for awhile. So today’s topic: burnout!

Freelancer burnout can come from too many assignments, too much query writing, an uncertainty on the income front… and more. While these are all valid concerns, you as freelancers need to understand that while writing is your job, it isn’t your life. (I know, so easy for me to say.) But I had a hard time with this and that’s why I want to share. It’s okay to step away from the computer and trust that the work will still be there upon return.

Here are some times I’ve felt burnout, and also a few from some of my writer friends.

Writing for Too Many Blogs

This has been a big one for me, and even today I can get caught up in it. I think a lot of bloggers feel the same way. Blogging is a flexible job and that’s exactly the problem. Because the work can be done any time of the day or night, many writers take on many more blogging assignments than they have time for. Writing for several outlets and thinking of new material can quickly take a toll on even the most organized bloggers.

One way to combat this is to cluster post, in which you work on one particular blog for a certain amount of time writing up several blog posts at once. When a writer is already working on one particular blog, it’s easier to continue thinking of (and writing) topics for that site, as opposed to jumping to a new blog. With this strategy, writers can also create related blog posts and search for pictures in a much quicker manner. I do this a lot.

Dealing With Too Many Negative or Demanding Clients

I’ve had mainly good freelance clients, but I know a few people that have really struggled with clients that don’t treat them well. Of course, as a freelancer you always have the choice to dump the client, but as we know sometimes you just need to make money for your family and as a result sometimes you put up with bad behavior. For a while. If you continually look for new clients, you’ll eventually be able to dump the baddies and keep the ones you enjoy.

When a freelance writer has a negative client, it can make for some long days. Demanding clients may want more of a writer’s time, more rewrites, or even more work done for less pay.

One option for dealing with negative clients is to limit the amount of time available to them. Rather than accepting messages all day, writers can limit the time frame in which they will respond to messages. Another strategy is to get the terms of the work in writing at the beginning of the project. That way clients will not be able to add new work on without paying for it.

Too Many Low Paying Clients

When you’re new as a freelancer you may take on several lower paying clients to help make ends meet. I’m not saying it’s the right thing to do, but it happens. I did it. A lot of my friends did it too. The point is, keep going for larger paying clients. You won’t have the time or resources to continue with low paying work, so always look for the better options when it comes to getting work.

One way I do this is to continually monitor my assignments. If I have several long-term clients that will pay the bills nicely, I consider dropping the lower paying clients. It’s hard to let go of any client, and I know that. But think long term when it comes to your career, and it will be easier to make this type of decision. Before taking on any new work, I evaluate my time to see if it will be a worthwhile investment in my freelance business.

More on burnout:

• Avoiding Burnout: A Principal’s Guide to Keeping the Fire Alive
• Making Your Emotions Work for You: *Coping with Stress *Avoiding Burnout *Overcoming Fear …and More
• Teamwork in the Workplace: Managing Stress/Avoiding Burnout (DVD)

 

Image: Morguefile