Allie and the No Good Very Bad Workload

by Allie Pleiter

The past three months served up the most challenging workload of my 20+ year career. For the first time, I experienced what most people might call “writer’s block” because so much was being asked of me by so many people that it spawned a sort of creative paralysis in my brain. I was acutely aware of what needed to be done, but painfully stumped on how to get it done.

Thankfully, I’d done a fair amount of research into this sort of thing by virtue of my 2017 book “How to WRITE When Everything Goes WRONG. I’ll share with you some of the tactics that pulled me through in case you find yourself in this position now or in the future:

1. Remember, this is a short-term crisis. I knew that by May 1, I would be done with this tough season. We don’t always get such a clear finish line on our crises, but when you can, it helps to keep a “this too shall pass” mentality.
2. Talk to “survivors.” I made a point to seek out other writers who had weathered challenges. They offered prayers, encouragement, good coping strategies, and the occasional invitation to take myself out of the office and go get a good cup of coffee. I asked them to tell me the stories of their victories, because you can spout all the facts you want to a writer, but it is a story that will sink deep into our hearts.
3. Know where your strength comes from. I gathered up a collection of Bible verses that talked about how we don’t need to rely on our own strength but can count on God’s. Those were especially useful on the many days I felt grossly unequal to the task before me.
4. Take care of your physical self. Steer clear of what one writer friend calls “martyr mode” and pay attention to eating well, hydrating, and getting enough sleep.
5. Make a daily plan. Break a huge task like a big rewrite into daily word count chunks. Sometimes you can’t plan or plot your way out of a writing block, but more often than not, you can write your way out of it. Just starting can unlock the next steps. Slow and steady progress can get you there—usually even better than a panic-fueled sprint.
6. Be thankful. I love the quote “It is a privilege to be exhausted doing what you love.” I was exhausted, yes, but it was helpful to remember that I loved what I was doing, even when it felt like I was doing far too much of it at the time.
7. Take emotional vitamins. I needed lots of encouragement. Every day. I asked friends and family to be generous and frequent with their hugs and praise. Daily. And to extend grace when I got whiny, which was rather often.
8. Get serious about your daily prayer life and journaling. I simply could not get through the day if it wasn’t started with a hefty dose of prayer, begging God in writing to show up in my mind and spirit and provide for my needs. As I have done for years, I asked God for three goals to be met every day—just three, and ones that could be met within that 24-hour timeframe. Going back the next day, I could see on a daily basis how God had provided for me. That gave me faith and fuel to do it all again the next day. 

If you haven’t found yourself drowned by your writing workload—or any workload—you someday will. Even a supposed “writing productivity expert” like myself can fall victim to the overwhelm. Creative tasks present a unique challenge because you can’t just “grind it out” as you would something more logistical. Inspiration is as essential as it is elusive.

You can, however, cope and survive and come out of the valley stronger for the journey. That gives you stronger armor for the next challenge, because you will have the memory of how God brought you through this one. And you will be better equipped to encourage a fellow writer through their tough season.  After all, helping others can be one of the best ways to grow your own perseverance.

The bestselling author of over 70 titles, Allie Pleiter’s twenty-five-year career has sold 1.9 million books.  Allie also coaches on writing productivity and speaks nationally on time management for creatives. A REFUGE IN MONTANA releases this month.