I recently read 2 of my favourite writers sharing about how they overcame some form of burnout. I don’t mean writer’s block. As I’ve said before, I do not believe it (i.e. writer’s block) exists. But burnout – just like it happens in other areas of endeavour, such as sports – does really occur in writing.
What Does It Feel Like, and Why Does It Happen?
I like to think of it as having nothing left to “burn”. Like when a car runs out of fuel. That means you come to a complete halt. In writing, you literally become unable to get yourself to write more. Your blog gets stale with no new content, and in serious cases, you may even struggle to deliver new writing to agreed deadlines for clients.
To write productively on a continuing basis, you must keep replenishing yourself with new ideas. And you must have sustained passion for what you do.
Burnout typically occurs when the above is no longer there. We can run out of ideas, and our passion for a chosen subject, topic or theme may fizzle out. This can happen to anyone.
How Can You Prevent Burnout?
It pays to make careful choices of writing themes or topics. Choose those you can maintain adequate interest in. Passion for the subject is a crucial requirement for long term sustenance.
Next, identity the source(s) you draw on for writing ideas. Common examples include your personal experience, material provided by clients, Internet resources etc. Diligently nurture each one of them, to boost your writing output.
Recognize however that sometimes you may have to look elsewhere to be sure you deliver quality output. Indeed sometimes the above sources may fail to turn up the ideas you need. That’s often when burnout begins to threaten. So, you need to know about other places you can go.
I offer a few suggestions…
1. Start Reading Everything Around You: Not Just Books!
Reading helps us feed our minds with ideas we can mould into new writing.
Now stop for a minute. ‘Reading’ I propose here is a little different.
When writers see the word ‘read’, our minds readily go to books, e-books, websites and other conventional formats on which writing can be found.
But in reality, you can get even better ideas, when you “read” random stuff you see around you.
So start paying attention to quotable quotes you see as you move around. You will encounter them on office walls, flyers, billboards etc.
What about tag lines people include in their calling cards? Useful inspiration can also come from there.
Bill boards litter most areas in many societies, announcing some idea or promoting some product or service. Stop more often to reflect on what is written on them. Seriously – do this.
Keep pen and notepad with you to capture them – as may be convenient.
Sometimes, someone may say them to you – or around you.
I’m always alert to these magical opportunities. And most times when I lack pen and paper, I quickly type what I hear into my smart phone memo pad.
Your aim will be to tweak such quick reads into a write-ups that will be truly useful for your intended audience.
One Example: I once stumbled on the following quote credited to Mahatma Gandhi. And it inspired me to write a new blog post (within 30 minutes).
“First they ignore you, then they laugh at you, then they fight, then you win.” – Mahatma Gandhi.
I used each of the four highlighted actions he mentioned, as a subtopic in my article titled “Four (4) Phases Great Achievers Often Pass Through, to Succeed”.
Isn’t it amazing how having a logical outline to guide your thoughts can making writing much easier?
2. Use Anything Useful That Happens Around You: Be Alert!
In writing for a client here in Cotonou, I’ve had to unhinge my brain – almost literally speaking.
He is a legal consultant, and also provides private university educational services – in addition to professional language translation, for various cadres of clients.
The required writing was meant to cater for each of his fairly different areas of focus – all three of which I’d not written on previously.
To ensure I met his expectations, I carefully studied happenings in and around him, to gain useful insights I could apply to my work…
One day we went out for lunch. His young chauffeur made the mistake of failing to specify the size of bottled Sprite he wanted, when the waitress took orders.
As a result, when she came back with a large sized bottle, he requested she get him a smaller one.
My client was displeased with that – scolding him for making her do two trips, when she could have done one.
He said “Other customers are waiting on her, and some may also be due to pay up. Making her waste valuable time could upset waiting customers. Or she could forget to collect payment from some. That could cost her the day’s pay, or if a client leaves without paying a hefty bill, her job!”
That incident inspired me to write the first issue of a weekly newsletter targeted at his university undergraduates, on Acting with Emotional Intelligence – by treating others with consideration.
Final Words: This Article Is Likely to Become Part 1 of a 2 Part Series
I have some other ideas to share. This is a subject I’m quite passionate about – as a Performance Enhancement Specialist.
I’m tempted to make it a 2 or 3 part series (each one with 2 tips).
There are so many things you can do – honestly. I know because I write as if connected to a never ending source daily – literally at will – using these ideas!
A new post appears on this blog daily – even as I do similar writing for clients.
One basic assumption is of course that your love of writing, and your subject/theme (will) persist(s)…otherwise not even steroids will help you avoid a burnout 
What Kind of Help Do You Need?
1. Coaching support to write without burning out?
2. Writing support to get through a difficult period in your writing?