“Hey, McLeod! What are you doing in there? Let’s go!”
“Give me a minute, would you?” I shouted back through the office window at the group of bikers parked in my driveway.
I had been planning on going on a ride all week. I needed to get out of the house. I had made all the necessary plans: James had been reminded of my absence several times, clients knew I was going to be out for the day, and I was caught up on my work.
So why were the work requests still pouring in, and why did I feel so guilty about leaving work behind for just a day?
Maybe it was because I had previous experience of taking a day off and returning to fires burning all over the place. Maybe I was being a control freak and couldn’t let go. Maybe I thought I’d have a great day of riding only to come back to find out that something had gone wrong enough to throw James in a frenzy.
Anything could happen. The way my mind works, my molehill worries quickly build to Mt. Everest proportions.
What’s The Worst That Could Happen?
Sometimes you have to take a deep breath and disconnect from the Internet. I had done everything possible to cover my bases (and my ass), and there was no reason why I shouldn’t be able to go out and enjoy a day away from the computer.
Still, on the open road with nothing but the sound of the wind and the constant rumble of the engine, you have a lot of time to think. I couldn’t let go of the various projects that were on my desk. They haunted me all the way to Goodsprings.
Finally I asked myself, “What’s the worst that could happen?” Would the world fall apart? No, probably not. Would our clients get pissed I was absent and go to the competition? Not likely. Would James have a fit that I left my post and missed tending to something? Maybe… but he did encourage me to enjoy my trip.
You Can’t Please Everyone
What it all comes down to is how much you feel a need to please other people. I want to please everyone. I don’t like to make waves or have people angry with me. I tend to go out of my way to make sure everyone is well cared for – usually at my own expense.
There comes a time when you realize that you can’t please everyone all the time. Life doesn’t work that way. You have a life, too. No one ties themselves to desks. People take days off and tend to personal errands or enjoy a day away, and so should you.
If you’ve done all you can, that should be good enough. If people don’t respect the fact that you’re not at their disposal 24/7, then that’s just too bad for them.
Signs of Burnout
I always know when I need a screw-off day. My temper becomes short, creativity wanes, and I feel restless the moment I sit down at the keyboard. I know I need to work, but all I want to do is go back to bed. I don’t want to deal with anyone. I avoid interaction, I become belligerent when James asks for something… In short, I’m not the nicest guy to be around when I’m ready for a break.
James has his own signs of impending stress buildup. He has trouble focusing and gets cranky because he feels attention-splattered. His tongue burns (don’t ask.) He speaks with short, snappy words and it doesn’t take much for an argument to break out. He becomes demanding, too, needing everything yesterday. It’s not long before his stress levels have him pacing with pent-up tension.
These are just our own initial signs of burnout, and there are all sorts of warning signs for every individual. The symptoms you feel tell you that if you don’t consider a break soon, you will burn out. Full burnout isn’t pretty. Burnout can cause physical problems like heart attacks or mental breakdowns and depression.
This Far and No Farther
Prevention of reaching the boiling point involves just a few easy steps. You have to incorporate them into your life the same way you schedule your work. Balance is the key, people – in everything.
- Do something for yourself. You are not your job; your job is not you. Don’t become a workaholic and let your work rule your life. In order to give clients your best, you have to give yourself some of your best, too.
- Create realistic goals. Nothing feels worse than setting large goals and then not being able to achieve them. Keep the milestones small and within reach. 10 minutes should take care of that.
- Don’t feel guilty about taking time off. As long as you plan and everyone is aware you’ll be absent, go ahead and enjoy a break.
- Be sociable. Get away from the virtual world. Call a friend on the phone and go hang out at your favorite place or see a movie. Just get out and be with people face to face.
- Do something challenging. Try something you have never tried before. Most of my hobbies, like archery or motorcycles, began on a whim. I had always wanted to explore them, and I did. Now, both serve as a nice break from routine.
Leave the Guilt at Home
Once I arrived at the Pioneer Saloon, had a beer in my hand and my friends chatting and joking around me, the worries I harbored when I left the house melted away. I let go, put my feet up and settled in to watch the people around me. Before I knew it, a couple of hours had whizzed by. I felt refreshed and ready to return to the office.
Miracle of miracles, nothing had fallen apart while I was gone. The house hadn’t burned down, the blog was still intact, and no angry-toned emails awaited me.
The best part? I felt like a new man ready to take on the world again – guilt free.
Harry,
I love the post. Good tips, all. I tend to take care of everyone and everything else first, too, so I can really relate to looking for the life-work balance. I (almost) never get crabby, I just Stop. In. The. Middle. Never in the middle of critical stuff, but when the big deadline is passed and I’m trying to get little stuff done, the Moment will take over and I just walk away. Not a smidge of guilt. It’ll wait. When that happens, there’s a bookstore or a glass of wine in my near future: my two favorite guilty pleasures.
*smiles* You’ll be back with another post on this, ’cause I’ve been reading you for a while and you haven’t conquered the demon yet.
Regards,
Kelly
Kelly’s last blog post..Road Trip: Guest Post at Big Bright Bulb
Harry, I love the way you told the story here (I can picture you sitting at the Pioneer Saloon, beer in hand – hey, the link helped, looks like a nice place!).
The work will always be there when we return.
Brett Legree’s last blog post..the power of one.
Found the blog through Bob Younce’s Writing blog. I love it!
That’s a good story and some common senstastic tips.
Identifying signs of stress build up and acting on them is vital. I’ve had had to do it lately and I let go of my blog discipline for about 2 weeks and it helped me recover and re-prioritize between work, family and hobbies (which include blogging and gaming).
Good show!
The Chatty DM’s last blog post..Pathfinder #7 Preview: Curse of the Crimson Throne #1
@ Kelly – I agree on the “we’ll be back” with this one. Probably sooner than expected and probably with something from each of us. Recent events have found us facing major growth that occurred very suddenly. As they say, be careful what you wish for, eh? (Love it. Love it, love it.)
@ Brett – You should see some pictures Harry sends. It’s surreal. I can’t even imagine places that look like that; they look like another world.
@ Chatty – Writers have the wonderful ability to revel and wallow in all signs of stress and come to near breakdown before they do anything at all about it. Plus, they’re emotional creatures that usually wear their heart on their sleeve. Makes for an interesting situation.
Reminders like Harry’s to take a break are important to drive home repeatedly.
James,
Hint, hint, tune in next time, eh?
Like I was gonna change the dial.
Harry (not awake yet, I know). Find someone to give you a good massage. Takes years of wear and tear off.
I have to hit the road myself now.
Adios,
Kelly
Kelly’s last blog post..Road Trip: Guest Post at Big Bright Bulb
Hi, Harry -
Sounds like you had a great day! The refreshing feeling that comes after a well-deserved break only makes us all more productive.
Gotta run — I hear the coffee pot calling …
Rebecca
Rebecca Smith’s last blog post..You talkin’ to me?
Tired, cranky, burning tongue… Check, check, check…
I’m working on it though!
The quick growth fast thing is what I’m dealing with too. In December I was worried (needlessly) that I’d need to put out for new work when I lost one of my biggest clients. Since January or so, things became insanely overwhelming.
So I’ve been mucho crabby and tired.
I just hired myself a pen woman yesterday. So even if you two don’t have ALL of it worked out, you’ve inspired me into action.
Now all I need is a bike…
Amy’s last blog post..HELP: an Acronym, a Tall Order
@Kelly: Hmmm…a massage, huh? I’ll have to try that. Never actually went out and had one.
@Rebecca: It was great while it lasted!
@Pandora: We shall smite the infidels with crabbiness! Good point though, sometimes to save your sanity you do have to make the decision to take on more help.
Harry,
Yup. I’ve been famous for them for years. I’ll knead little Pen’s shoulders and see if it helps, but in the meantime locate friend with strong hands. In Vegas if you go out ISO massage I’m afraid of what you’ll find!
Until later,
Kelly
Kelly’s last blog post..Road Trip: Guest Post at Big Bright Bulb
Okay, devil’s advocate here:
Harry, great post, tugged my heartstrings, I’m all ver klempt. Pass the tissues.
Glad you had a great day, really, truly, I mean that from my heart of hearts….
And you guys have done a great job of establishing yourselves, creating a niche, growing a business where none existed.
But….
And this is a big but, that is aimed at writers specifically…
Writers need to be especially careful about budgeting time and pushing themselves. Not to the ‘nth’ degree, forsaking all others, this isn’t exactly a marriage contract, but close. Close. Until you’re published, most people look on your new venture as a hobby, something you can do anytime.
Not even close to true.
Novice (and often established) authors need to become habitual writers because we’re generally full-time workers, often mothers and fathers, daughters or sons, and sandwiched among all of those responsibilities is the urge to write which is taken from our “free time”.
For most of us that means either loss of sleep or zero out the rec time theory others take for granted because basic daily duties don’t allow for writing time. Most bosses don’t want to pay you for tapping into your creative muse while checking in patients, parking cars, waiting tables, signing contracts or contacting possible sale opportunities.
Imagine that!!!
So:
To the authors out there, whatever level you consider yourself at this moment: Good times are important. Family time is crucial, and down time helps to clear the mind, but it’s very easy to fall out of the ‘habit’ of writing if you slack off too often, and this is especially true if your story hits a wall, your research breaks down, your time is minimized by everyday life expectations or someone disses your work and messes with your superego.
When those things happen it’s time to pull up your big girl panties (or boxers) and get back to work. Pushing through the rough spots is what makes a writer, and while writers aren’t technically “web workers”, we’re on this machine either writing or researching the bulk of the time, and it’s easy to let things lure you away.
The gift of time will come once you’re established, but nothing is achieved without pain and sacrifice.
Harry’s paid a bunch of his dues. We’ll slot him a few hours now and again.
Make sure the same is true of yourself before your whimsy takes over.
Ruthy
Harry – About the massage thing, it really does help. The concept of it seriously skeeved me out for a long time, but once I finally had one I was a changed man. Er… you know what I mean.
Ruth – What you say makes sense to me, because I tend to be very all or nothing. I go go go and then hit a wall — although mine is with clients rather than characters — and then I fantasize about escaping to Canada. But Harry… well, he’s more balanced than that. At least, I’d like to think so, since he is the Voice of Reason around this Pen Men Shop. So sure, we’ll let him go biking and take his cats for afternoon walks, as long as he makes sure to find his way back.
Amy’s last blog post..HELP: an Acronym, a Tall Order
@Kelly: so…you’re saying that the “Happy Endings Massage Parlor” downtown might not be a good idea?
@Ruthy: Like buttah, Ruthy, like buttah. I agree that in the beginning you have to stay on top of everything, but the thing is, you get into such a habit of “Must do – can’t slack” that when the time comes for slacking just a smidge, it’s way hard to let go.
What do you think?
Hehehe. The whole sordid picture is in my head. Oh dear, must think serious thoughts now.
Ruthy,
I agree that slacking can lead to stagnation (in any sphere), but not putting yourself first can lead to poor work and burnout, no? Little splurges, even before all the dues have been paid, otherwise what’s the point of paying them?
Until later,
Kelly
Kelly’s last blog post..Road Trip: Guest Post at Big Bright Bulb
“Give me a minute, would you?†I shouted back through the office window at the group of bikers …”
It ain’t often a man can get away with sayin’ something like that …
Dave Navarro – Freelance Smackdown!’s last blog post..Catch Yourself Making Excuses, Then Do Something About It
Amy, you’re right, our Harry seems pretty well balanced.
And James?
He comes off as the tightly strung ‘e’ string, with a fine appreciation for good food and change of seasons.
Harry, I know what you’re saying. I don’t care if they call us type ‘A’ or OCD, some natures are more driven than others and it’s hard to draw a line and say enough: take a break. I loved the parameters you offered for the signs of your two distinct personalities. Funny boys.
I enjoy a good time, taking a night out with my buds, have some fun, play with kids, plant some flowers….
But I’ve watched many a talented writer come and go because they lacked the daily resolve and that’s my caution.
If you’re the see-it-through-at-all-costs type, you’ll hang on until they build you a box.
Nora Roberts claims persistence is more important than talent. Smart lady. Rich, too. Writing’s an easy job to quit and a difficult one to master, but I think the end justifies the means.
Let me just say I HOPE the end justifies the means, LOL!
And Kelly, that’s where frappuccinos come in handy for me. When I really need a boost, a shot in the arm, something decadent and wonderful that makes me feel delightfully spoiled…
Yup.
I’ve discovered Starbucks.
Dagnabbit, who’d a thought a stinkin’ $4 cup of iced coffee with whipped cream could or should taste so good.
Addicted.
I confess.
Ruthy
@Dave: Well…these guys aren’t exactly 1%’ers, but they’re not weekend warriors either. Believe me, if that were a group of Hell’s Angels or Vagos out there I wouldn’t have bothered shouting – I would have fired a warning shot with the M14 instead.
@ Harry: you fire a warning shot with an M14, you generally don’t have to shoot again…
Brett Legree’s last blog post..the power of one.
@Brett: My point exactly.
@Ruth – A good Starbucks does work wonders. I’m still looking for that IV drip of caffeine though… But if it comes with whipped cream and/or peppermint, I’m generally a big sucker.
Amy’s last blog post..HELP: an Acronym, a Tall Order
Ahh, Ruthy, I had to give up the coffee except on rare occasions, because I only like it with flavors, sugar, cream… and then I might as well go to Friendly’s and have an ice cream. Metabolism can’t handle it anymore, have to cut out where I can. (A fine wine, on the other hand? Heck with metabolism! Have to have the priorities straight.)
Diet Coke for me, an i.v. would do nicely.
When I want to splurge, I’m for books and magazines the way some ladies are for shoes. Amazon calls to tell me when they’ve added new wings to their warehouses in my honor, and the local Barnes & Noble just hangs a shingle that says, “Kelly, waiting for amazon takes too long, come on in…”
Until later,
Kelly
Kelly’s last blog post..Road Trip: Guest Post at Big Bright Bulb
Can we keep Ruthy? She *knows* me. Besides, Kelly didn’t offer MOI a massage. I mean, really. Then again, Amy’s running away with the Canuck…
@ Ruthy – Harry and I are like Bon Cop, Bad Cop. We wouldn’t be able to do what we do and survive as a partnership if we were similar people. Common goal, but different strengths.
Also, your caution, I believe, is about balance. Balance is good in everything and very necessary and vital. Harry taught me that.
Kelly – Don’t get me started on my Amazon.com addiction. Do they have an Amazon Anonymous recovery group? Because I could be captain. LOL
Amy’s last blog post..HELP: an Acronym, a Tall Order
Shiraz. Ice skating. Stephen King. Anne Bishop. More Anne Bishop. Horse riding. Sunshine. Lots of sunshine. Love sunshine. The forest. Lakes and rivers. Good music in the car while I’m driving alone. Shiraz.
James,
You told me you had forsaken me. I was crushed. I spent entire seconds in agony.
Ahem.
Kelly’s last blog post..Road Trip: Guest Post at Big Bright Bulb
Kelly, what we women won’t do to look good in those danged jeans, LOL! But I totally understand.
And you and I can take out stock in Diet Coke. Pad our retirement funds instead of our waistlines.
James, you and Harry are like Dunkin’ Donuts original coffee….
A great blend.
Oops.
Maybe I should say Tim Horton’s. Forgot the point of origin for a moment there.
Ruthy
@Ruthy: Either works for me. East Coast boy, remember? You should have seen the mob scenes at the new Dunkin shops that opened up down here a month or so ago. Would you believe when I moved out here, there was only one? (in NoTown, aka North Las Vegas – very bad part of town)
My favorite coffee though is Kona straight from Maui. That I can drink with no embellishments it’s so good.
Hey Harry. I never heard of Goodsprings. I’ve been to Bonnie Springs. Is it something like that?
Do you think I’d get beat up if I waved Brett’s lightsaber around in front of a group like the Hell’s Angels? Or do you not recommend that?
Also, I know a great message place here in town if you’d like a recommendation.
About your article.
Love it. It not only is nice to get out and smell the roses, so to speak, when talking about working and business, but it is a necessity. There are a select few oddities like Donald Trump and Bill Gates who rarely take vacations, but for us mere mortals taking a break to empty useless thoughts and emotions are great.
Here are some other thoughts that might help when you’re feeling a bit stressed over work but don’t actually have time to take a day off.
- Sit quietly with a loved one or by yourself and watch a sunrise.
- Start a morning exercise routine
- Try your hand at 10 minutes of meditation every day
- Unless you’re Brett and can read a book in 20 minutes, read something that takes you away from where you are today.
- Buy a punching bag
John Hoff’s last blog post..Is Your Website Web 2.0 or Corporate?
@ Harry and Ruthy – Kona coffee rules and so does Dunkin. It’s funny you’re talking about this because for the first time in a year I went up to Krispy Cream, bought some donuts and a coffee.
*Krispy Cream coffee does not equal Kona* – in case you were wondering.
John Hoff’s last blog post..Is Your Website Web 2.0 or Corporate?
@John: Goodsprings isn’t like Bonnie Springs, less family oriented and more for the adults hanging out at the saloon type place. On any given day, it’s a big biker hangout, but still friendly. Just check to make sure there aren’t any bike runs going on the day you go, or it’ll be packed.
There’s another nice place on the way out to Pahrump at the top of the mountain called the Spring Mountain bar. If you were to come out of Bonnie Springs and make a right, follow that to the end, then make another right and follow that to the top of the mountain the bar will be on the right.
It’s also a pretty good bet that unless you have the real thing, a light saber won’t help.
@ John: unless I had Harry’s M14
about the only thing I’d wave around in front of a group of Hell’s Angels would be my wallet (as in, “take everything you want, brothers”)
I agree with you on everything you listed also as stress burners (although, I do sometimes read my books in a few days if they are good, savouring it like a fine wine… mmm, wine, think I’ll open a nice bottle of Italian red)
For exercise I’ve yet to find anything that beats kettlebells (if you’re going for weights) – those funny looking things I have on my blog at http://6weeks.ca/?p=32
Linking for the pic, not the hits, honest
but anyway you really, really have to concentrate when doing the exercises and it sort of clears the mind. Almost like a morning run…
I’m lucky, too – I just lay down on the carpet and my kids drive their little cars all over me. Very nice…
Brett Legree’s last blog post..the power of one.
Harry, you are such a gifted storyteller. I felt the wind in my air as I was reading! I’ve learned (but often need a refresher course!) that what I imagine is far worse than reality. Even if something does go wrong while you’re off, it will not be the end of the world. Our own expectations are the greatest enemy. Last week, wrapped in a blanket, crazy sick I worked to finish an editing project on time. The client has been too busy training new people to review my work… a week later! I am constantly reminded that people actually assume I’m smart enough to take care of myself. D’oh! Live long, ride strong!
@Karen: Isn’t that always the way? Hurry up and wait. Trust me, I so feel your pain.
Brett,
That thing is unreal! You lift that? And then move? Yowee.
(How come I missed that post? Oh, yeah, because I can’t subscribe by email yet and I didn’t click around enough. Harry, now that you’re all rubbed down, y’think you could fix Brett’s email subscriptions?)
Happy Friday night, folks.
Later,
Kelly
Kelly’s last blog post..Road Trip: Guest Post at Big Bright Bulb
Kelly,
The exercises are really effective, if a bit intimidating at first. Here’s a pretty crazy video showing some of them:
http://youtube.com/watch?v=GO61k3EODY4
(I’m not this fit yet, so I can’t do a lot of these exercises. But I’m getting there. It has really increased my overall strength and improved my posture.)
Brett Legree’s last blog post..the power of one.
Okay, Brett, that video was just plain e-vil. OUCH. Since it was 99 3/4 guys, I’m just gonna say the only thing that ran through my head for all 5+ minutes of watching it: Men are weird. I mean, why? You’ve got four babies, your wife does not need you to be more sexy. (I don’t know if it was building sexy bods anyway.) What is the point of such torture?
I know, I know. There’s something I don’t get there. What?
Kelly’s last blog post..Road Trip: Guest Post at Big Bright Bulb
I don’t think you missed anything. Men are weird, and a bit crazy. We do strange things as children, like put metal buckets on our heads and run into the wall, just to hear the sound…
(What do you mean none of you guys ever did that? Come on brothers, help me out on this one…)
Seriously it is just a good way to improve your core strength, overall body strength. I got a lighter one for my wife to try as well, I guess she noticed my bod was starting to look sexier LOL and wanted to see what it would do for her!
(not that she needs it, I like her the way she is)
Brett Legree’s last blog post..the power of one.
Now Kelly, women do some pretty weird things, too. Men are just more open about it.
*starts putting on the flak-jacket and making sure the bunker is stocked*
For us, it’s like why do mountain climbers climb mountains? Because they’re there.
No, I’ve never put a bucket on my head and ran into a brick wall just to find out what it sounded like. However, I did stuff a toy whistle up my nose to see if it would fit. I think I was 4.
I’ve also seen a lot of women in the gym day in and day out working just as hard as the men. Why? Sometimes it’s not solely for the opposite sex. Sometimes it just makes the individual feel better.
That’s about all the sage advice and introspection I can offer at the moment.
She chases those babes all over, that’s plenty of exercise. My one used to run me ragged, although I did always wish there were more. My grandmother had seven, she always said once you get past two they take care of themselves. I wouldn’t want to test it with that many…
Bucket on head ROFLOL! Just me and a sister growing up. We weren’t girly, but nobody ever banged their heads into walls for fun.
Kelly’s last blog post..Road Trip: Guest Post at Big Bright Bulb
I shoved a peapod up my nose when I was three. My mom likes to tell that story to strangers…
In sixth grade, my girlfriends and I dared each other to sled down a hill into a ditch that was only halfway frozen over. We had no sleds, so we used trash sacks.
As teenagers, we would dare each other to to make out with the smelly boy in algebra class.
So girls aren’t always too bright either….
Amy’s last blog post..HELP: an Acronym, a Tall Order
I work out, but I don’t want to be in intense pain to amuse myself, and those dudes in the video were doing the grownup bucket-on-head thing for sure.
I know, I know. Saying “men” are weird is too much.
Wait, what do we do? I need specifics so I can decide whether I agree. Generally, I probably agree. My daughter has a phrase I love, that she got from some little dude at school: “Everybody’s weird, in their own way.”
Can I relate this back to guilty pleasures so I don’t feel too bad?
Yes. My guilty pleasure is watching MWP comments run off-topic.
Kelly’s last blog post..Road Trip: Guest Post at Big Bright Bulb
Oh, Amy, I love you.
Kelly’s last blog post..Road Trip: Guest Post at Big Bright Bulb
@ Kelly: well, that’s what I figure! I looked after them for a week (March break) – it was a lot of fun for sure, but they are busy little turkeys…
The bucket was only the beginning – ah, the stories I could tell over a good pint of ale…
most of them start with, “I wonder what would happen if we tried *this*”
Brett Legree’s last blog post..the power of one.
Yeah, that’s a weirdism I have I guess. I had a friend buy me my heaviest weight (53 pounds) a few weeks ago. I kept forgetting to pay him back for it, and then I finally said, “kick me in the butt on Thursday if I don’t pay you”.
He said, “dude, I’m not gonna kick you in the butt, you swing that stupid cannon ball up over your head and I’d be scared if you got mad…”
@ Amy: I have to say it too, I love you for that… awesome.
(so that’s why I couldn’t meet girls in algebra class – I showered)
Brett Legree’s last blog post..the power of one.
Brett – off topic of the off topic, but what line of work is Cathy in?
Kelly – back atcha, ya Irish nut.
Im starting to wonder about your daughter. She sounds a little too well-adjusted to be your spawn. Hehehe.
Amy’s last blog post..HELP: an Acronym, a Tall Order
@ Amy: she studied social work, and then when she went back to work once the kids were old enough, she was Director at our local nursery school. She now works where I work as an administrative professional (better money), and will likely go into projects.
I keep encouraging her to strike out on her own. Her level of personal organization frightens me, actually. She would make a good freelance *anything*. Someday she will do it, I know.
Brett Legree’s last blog post..the power of one.
Honestly, about the exercise… It doesn’t look any crazier to me then step-aerobics. I’ve seen women do that and thought “why? Do you not have a full set of stairs you could climb someplace? Instead, you buy one step that costs a hundred dollars, then pay to take a class??”
Amy’s last blog post..HELP: an Acronym, a Tall Order
Brett – That is very cool. I can see you and her in ten years, working from your home business with a lot of teenage helpers.
Amy’s last blog post..HELP: an Acronym, a Tall Order
It is actually sort of fun too, because it is different, and the movements are pretty effective if you do them properly. I have a range of weights, from 16 to 53 pounds. In many ways, the lighter ones are harder to work with because they whip around much faster and you have to do it right… or the weight bites you
Brett Legree’s last blog post..the power of one.
Amy – thank you! That is a nice vision, isn’t it, and it is the one I see too. Our little private army
Brett Legree’s last blog post..the power of one.
Welcome to Brett & Amy’s chat room
Hi guys!
Melissa Donovan’s last blog post..Jeff Buckley: Grace (Album)
@ Melissa: yeah, I’m thinking the Men might have to charge us admission as we’re using up their space…
Brett Legree’s last blog post..the power of one.
Brett,
They secretly love it. It’s all about engagement, and they’ve got it like other bloggers would kill for. I mean, remove all the whips and chains from your site, and some people still can’t get engagement anything like this. Ahem. Harry and James know this love is bloggers’ gold.
Later,
Kelly
Kelly’s last blog post..Tip of the Week: Thank-You Knowts—So Old They’re New Again
@Brett, Charge admission? What are you saying? Are you crazy? Don’t give them any ideas!
Melissa Donovan’s last blog post..Jeff Buckley: Grace (Album)
@ Melissa: I’m delirious, something in my cold medication LOL (just kidding) I don’t need to give them any more ideas, they have all of them already
Brett Legree’s last blog post..the view from the other side.
I love this post! I’ve been so stressed out lately and ended up abandoning the things that I love, in favor of getting my work done. Bad call. Now I’m all burned out and wondering how worth it this college education is.
Next time, I’m taking this advice!
I’ve been re-reading that “you can’t please everyone” section – hopefully one day, I’ll get it through my thick skull.
RLD: Taekwondo Happiness’s last blog post..Whoops!
@ RLD – I think it comes and goes in cycles, honestly. I have “f**k it” moments myself, then I take a break and I’m okay for a while until the next f**k it.
Studying’s tough. I feel for you.