NicoleMost writers and authors burn out in December. They try to finish everything on their to-do list while planning gift shopping, travels, and family holidays at the same time.
And each year, I almost fall into the same trap.
But having had burnout four years ago, I learned the hard way:
If you attempt to ‘do it all’, you will 99% fail. Your holidays will start with a mental and physical crash.
That’s why today I’m going to give you a simple but effective method to avoid December burnout.
I’ll give you 3 steps to shift your mindset and plan out your December goals in a better way.
Step 1: Envision your Future Self
Take a deep breath and envision the Future You on December 31st.
How do you want to feel?
Option 1: Drained, unfulfilled, and upset about all the half-finished tasks you didn’t complete? Sneaking out from family festivities to secretly work during the holidays? Worried you’ll start the new year exhausted?
Option 2: On the last day of the year, you look back and feel accomplished because you finished 1 thing in December and that was all you could do (but you did it well!). Then, you spent the holidays guilt-free, liberated from all the little things that cause busyness and stress. You feel you’ve made a mindset shift towards quality over quantity. And best of all, you preserved your energy to start 2025 with a bang!
Where do you want your Future Self to be?
If you can trust that doing 1 thing well is better than cramming it all in, I’ve got a goal setting exercise for you.
Step 2: Pick 1 thing
If you could do only one thing in December, but do it well and without stressing out, what would that be? What’s the 1 thing you want to get done by end of the year — no excuses?
Set a timer for 3 minutes and write it down. What exactly does finishing mean? How many words? What’s your deadline? Be as clear as possible.
My one thing for December is:
_____________
Then make a weekly plan with clear deadlines to get that thing done, step by step. Put these deadlines on your calendar. Can you already envision how you are finishing it, with focus, flow, and ease?
Do you still feel uncomfortable because there’s this backlog of other things you wish you’d finished this year?
Take a deep breath, lift up your shoulders and then let them settle back down while you breathe out. Repeat two times.
Here’s another exercise that will give you some relief — you are allowed a few small bonus task in December.
Step 3: Select your bonus tasks
Since it’s so hard to stick to the ‘only one thing’ rule, here’s a step to ease your mind. Make a short list of bonus tasks that are small and manageable, and don’t distract you from your big goal.
Schedule them during low-energy times. For example, I write on important projects in the morning, and I do admin and marketing in the afternoon when I find it harder to focus.
Don’t overdo that bonus list! It’s only here for you in case you have time left during your work day. The better decision is, always, to do your 1 big thing and recover.
Take 3 minutes and write your bonus list — and note the date when in December you can fit these goals in.
Bonus task list:
_____________
_____________
_____________
Again, take a few breaths, and see if you can allow yourself to see them as icing on the cake — you don’t have to actually do them. It’s a bonus.
Instead of a huge to-do list before Christmas, you should now have ONE THING and a few bonus tasks that may or may not get done.
This is the only way you can get to the Future Self vision you created above.
How does it feel in your body to know that you only have one thing to do in December?
Will you be courageous?
Will you give yourself the space to focus on what matters, and practice letting go of ‘doing it all’?
Ready to Plan out Your December and next year’s writing?
If you’re feeling inspired to learn how to prioritise and focus without burning out as a writer, The Write Habit Planner is the perfect companion to guide you to set your monthly and annual writing goals and stay on track each week. Plus, it comes with a free online course with tips to stay on top of your schedule.
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That’s it for this week. Let’s start December with a mindset shift!
Your coach,
