What do you do if you’re sick and tired of what you do?
You’ve been writing and speaking and talking about [media and PR strategy, salary negotiation, whatever] for a zillion years. If you have to write one more blog post or record one more video and say the same damn thing one more time, you’ll scream.
But you’ve spent years building your empire. You’ve become known for [media and PR strategy, salary negotiation, whatever] and you’ve worked hard to become the thought leadership and sought-after expert you are. People trust you, people need you.
But your marketing activities are making you want to stay in bed forever. It’s just the same thing in a new format (Instagram, podcast, live videos) and you’ve said everything you could possibly say.
3 Reasons You’re Bored
If you feel this way, one of these is probably going on:
- It’s a phase and it won’t last. One of my clients talks about her three-year creative cycle. Every three-ish years she gets bored, and she knows it’s time for the next juicy idea. It’s rare (impossible?) to feel constantly jazzed about everything – sometimes you get bored. It’ll either pass, or….
- It’s time to pivot. Your marketing might bore you to tears, but what still brings you joy about your work? Maybe it’s your clients and relationships. Maybe you’ve been doing negotiation coaching and you’re tired of it, but what you love is helping your clients prepare their negotiation stories. It might be time to pivot your marketing to hone in on what you really enjoy.
- You’re holding something back. If you’re sick and tired of your own marketing, it could be a cue that you’re playing it safe. You know what’s not boring? Publishing bold, strong opinions about what you believe and think about your industry. I’m talking about saying things that make you a little bit nervous. If you come out and SAY that stuff – and people will disagree with you – you won’t be bored.
(The fourth option is that your boredom and restlessness mean it’s time to blow up your business and do something completely different.)
None of these are wrong or bad. Even though it’s uncomfortable and no fun to be sick of what you do, it’s okay. It doesn’t mean you’re fucking up. It’s good to pay attention to how you feel, yet not every single feeling Means Something.
The best, best thing you can do is give yourself time and trust yourself.
This post is part of my 100 Blog Posts in 100 Days series. View the rest here.
Image by Meredith Hunter.
