How do you avoid burnout as a grant professional?
Sometimes, after we write proposal after proposal with the same language, it becomes difficult to see any potential errors. It's natural for us, so familiar with the text, to glaze over it at times. Also, under constant deadline pressure, burnout can sometimes come easily. How do you identify it? How do you cope?
To avoid burnout, I switch over to graphic design projects or a more creative type of writing like children's fiction. It keeps my brain fresh and creative and makes my writing stronger. I also wait at least one overnight before re-reading a draft and making any adjustments. What's your approach?
To avoid burnout, I switch over to graphic design projects or a more creative type of writing like children's fiction. It keeps my brain fresh and creative and makes my writing stronger. I also wait at least one overnight before re-reading a draft and making any adjustments. What's your approach?
Replies to This Discussion
-
Permalink Reply by Dena Hartigan on -
Glazing over is my sign that I'm not only burned out, but dangerously close to losing control of my project. Haunted by errors that occurred while I was burned out by emotional stress, I now have a dependable "treat" that helps me cope. When I hear the din of grant speak buzzing in my ears, I know to walk away from the writing. I make myself some coffee (love that instant Startbuck's VIA) and find something chocolate to go with it. Since I work out of my home, I can either sit in front of the TV and do some easy watching like the Food Network, QVC, or TVLand. I might, instead, sit at the kitchen table and fold clothes. If a deadline is really close, I will still make the coffee but I will return to my desk and make some phone calls to clients just to check-in. This prevents getting caught up in a movie or distracted to point of cleaning the entire kitchen. Drinking the coffee is a segwey that takes about 20 minutes. My brain is trained to get back to work after the coffee is done. At my busiest times, I may switch the routine from cups of coffee to herbal tea to avoid the buzz in my head from keeping me awake at night.
-
Permalink Reply by Caroline Leopold, GPC on
-
This week I attended a 3-day grant writing training targeted toward community leaders with minimal grants experience. I thought I would be bored, but instead I ended up refreshed and energized. I realized that I am not as expert as I thought I was and that I needed to start learning from other people. Hearing the passion of community activists reminded me of why I got into nonprofit work in the first place.
That training was uplifting and now I'm ready to conquer my workload in a less mechanical and more creative way. I want to attend more trainings tailored to community leaders in the future.
-
Permalink Reply by Derek Link on -
I walk! Every day for a hour, all over town. I love it and it has been such a good de-stresser. I also like to work in a variety of settings. Anywhere I can find wifi, I can write and research. Some are more distracting than others for sure, and sometimes there's no substitute for my desk in the quiet of home. But I find it is refreshing to get out and about.
I also enjoy doing graphics projects with my Photoshop and Illustrator programs, taking pictures, making videos, drinking a beer, reading, writing for fun, etc. Grant season can be intense, so we all need diversions.
-
Permalink Reply by Lori Bumgardner on -
Chiming in late; nevertheless, this is a critical topic for professional grant writers who expect to have a long career!
I have been writing grants for nearly 20 years. At any given time I am responsible for leveraging $10 million a year for an institution of higher education as well as juggling four or five client projects, often on tight time lines.
It IS all about balance (and being honest with yourself that you have the personality, countenance, endurance, and sense of humor cut out for this work).
I often work intensely, sometimes 18 hours a day for days on end, lap top in my lap with junk food all around me. Then, I take a few days and do absolutely nothing or nothing grant-related. Well, that is not entirely true as I have a comic strip called "goddess of grants" -- it is an outlet that keeps me both sane and civil at work, and has been published by a number of community colleges. I also publish romantic poetry. Otherwise, my Friday night stop at the wine bar to chat with good friends about anything BUT grants is oh so essential to my well being.
Lastly, celebrate successes. It is too easy to say "check" and move on. Don't take yourself for granted, ever!
© 2012 Created by Melanie R. Negrin, GPC.
