It's OK to take a break. No — really!
TL;DR
The truth is that there is a time and place for your career, and it’s not “all the time, everywhere."
Knowing when it’s appropriate to disengage from the rat race is part of having a successful career – it’s all about balance.
The entertainment industry is built around the idea of being a nonstop go-getter.
So, it’s no surprise that artists can tend to feel a lot of discomfort when they can’t focus 100% of their attention on their career.
There’s a sense of FOMO, or being left behind, or not being productive enough, or even just a constant nagging feeling that you could always be doing more.
(No, I’m not reading your mind, I’ve just been coaching creatives for basically two decades. 😉)
The truth is that there is a time and place for your career, and it’s not “all the time, everywhere."
Knowing when it’s appropriate to disengage from the rat race is part of having a successful career – it’s all about balance.
I can’t tell you how many times I’ve sat across from artists who were burnt out and anxious about the idea that they needed to tend to other areas of their lives simply because they felt guilty about what it meant for their careers.
But, as anyone who had to stop working due to a health emergency can probably attest to, health comes before career, or there is no career.
This is true whether we’re talking about a rocky relationship, a natural disaster, a sick parent or financial turmoil.
Every area of your life is intrinsically linked to the others, and if you don’t give each the time and attention they deserve, they will bleed over and affect your life as a whole.
That said, getting “back to normal” may not always come as quickly as we like.
Or, you may find that you need to create a new normal, as most of us have done post-pandemic.
When you’re thrown out of your rhythms, it’s important to honor the process of realignment, and allow yourself to organically find your way back (or, equally as important, to discover a new path).
At the same time, don’t wait for a crisis to occur before you give yourself a break – know the value of preventative maintenance.
With summer here, the industry is notoriously slow — even without union strikes in effect. (And if you need some tips on how to manage your fears and work from a place of strength in the face of an industry-wide strike, check out this blog post.)
Why not focus your time and energy on something other than your career, whether it’s getting out of town and relaxing, hanging out with close friends, catching up on your reading list, or engaging in a creative endeavor just because it brings you joy?
Yep, you heard me right — this coach is giving you permission to TAKE. A. BREAK.
Trust me, your career will still be here when you’re ready to get back to it, but instead of being burnt out and frustrated, you’ll be relaxed and re-energized.
Now all you have to do is give YOURSELF permission to disconnect with zero guilt.
And take time to reconnect to YOU.
It will be worth it.