Why Overextending Yourself As A Writer Won’t Work

Two steps forward, five steps back.

Photo by Airam Dato-on on Unsplash

I took on jobs I didn’t have the time for. So I found a way to make it work. And by making it work, I mean late nights and weekends, working weeks at a time without a single day off.

I remember chugging RedBull and trying to prop my eyes up. Writing those last few words or answering those last few emails.

Does this sound familiar to you?

If it does, it’s because overextending yourself is actually pretty easy. Here’s the recipe:

1. You want to be successful.

2. You set out to be a freelance writer

3. You tell everyone you know what you’re doing before you’ve landed a single client

So of course you’re going to take on everything you can get your hands on. But there’s a price. And I paid it.

I burnt out within months as I threw all professional boundaries out the window. I never stopped checking email. I ghosted out of my personal life. I turned in subpar work that I rushed through.

Why it doesn’t work (but also kinda works)

It wasn’t pretty because I overextended myself and I lost control over my schedule.

On the flip side, those late nights are why I can write so quickly now. I pushed myself to get it done.

Now I know exactly how long it’ll take me to do something. And I can trust myself to always get it done — even if I make a mistake or double-book my calendar with tasks. I know I can get it done, but the difference now is that I set myself up for success by managing the workload.