The world can feel like a scramble.
And, in my experience at least, life seems to get busier as you get older.
You’ve got a business to build and run… family obligations… a house to take care of.
You have friends you want to keep up with…
And you probably want to some time to exercise and eat well…
You have books you want to read… podcasts to listen to… blogs to follow… courses to take..
And of course, there’s more than all that — bills to pay, trips to plan, time for fun…
It can feel like every minute has something assigned to it.
And when that happens, it’s easy to start rushing.
Rushing as you write… rushing through your email… rushing to cook meals…
… rush, rush, rush.
The problem with rushing is that when you rush, it’s because you’re thinking about the next thing on your to-do list… not the one you’re doing.
That causes stress. It depletes enjoyment. And it compromises quality.
The key to lowering stress, renewing your enjoyment, and doing your best work is to…
… s l o w d o w n.
Easier said than done, I know… but here are three slow down methods that have been working for me.
If slowing down sounds like a cool breeze on a hot day — a refreshing relief — then give these things a try.
1. Breathe Properly
Proper breathing is such a simple way to change your pace, and it really works.
A proper breath is slow and deep. Your diaphragm does the work, not your chest.
When you breathe properly, you elevate your oxygen levels and lower your cortisol levels. The combination creates a sense of calm, and in that calm place, it’s easier to focus on what you’re doing without worrying about what comes next.
To get in the habit of proper breathing, I recommend you take five deep, deliberate breaths before you begin a new task. Just doing that will help set the stage for you to do slower, more focused work.
2. Lean Into the Pauses
When you’re writing, there’s a cadence to it. The words come fast and furious, and then there’s a lull. During that lull, you can do one of three things. You can push through, continuing to write without thinking about what you’re writing or if it’s any good — there’s value in this, but you don’t want to do it all the time. You can break away and do something else, like visit your social media feed — not usually helpful. Or you can sit in the pause until you’re ready to write again.
If you’re working on slowing down, this is the way to go. Just give yourself a minute to think about what you’ve just written and about what comes next. And while you do that, breathe!
3. Take More Breaks
If you feel like you’re rushing all the time, taking more breaks can help you balance that out. Try different rhythms. Work for 30 minutes and take a five-minute break. Or work for 45 minutes and take a 15-minute break. Or work for an hour on and an hour off.
When you take a break, do something relaxing like going for a walk or doing some stretching. Or do something challenging in a different way like a language lesson on Duo Lingo or reading a poem. Or do something repetitive and productive like folding laundry or practicing your juggling.
If your only speed these days is “as fast as I can go,” try these tips for slowing down so you can do better work — and enjoy whatever you’re doing more.
In Case You Missed It…
Email copywriting lends itself really well to long-term relationships with repeat business and even retainer contracts. Working on email with local clients is even better because you share a community, and that gives those relationships another layer. In this Email Marketing column, Michele Peterson shows you all the benefits of working with local clients, both for you and for them. Check it out!
In her latest Reality Blog, Jennifer Ayling talks about her progress on her new content marketing goals and delves into some reasons for having a social media presence that you might not have considered. You can give it a read right here.
Writing social media posts gives you a quick and easy way to increase your writing income by repurposing content you’re already creating for a client. But if the posts you create for your client aren’t getting engagement in the form of views, likes, comments, or re-shares… your client may decide it’s not worth the extra money. In her newest Social Media column, Bonnie Fanning shares 10 simple ways to increase views and engagement so you deliver outstanding results that keep your clients coming back for more.
Mark Your Calendar
July 26: One of the most important skills you can learn as a working freelance digital copywriter is how to take good care of your clients. In this webinar, we’ll explore steps you can take from first introduction to post-project follow up that will deliver a better experience to your clients.
August 16: In this Member Update, we’ll explore how to increase your job satisfaction with your freelance writing business. We’ll talk work/life balance, finding your purpose, and client selection. Plus, we’ll take a look at the what’s new on Digital Copywriter, what’s coming up, and what questions you have.
3 Things You Might Like…
When you’re presenting your service to a potential client, you’re acting as a salesperson for yourself. Proposify shares types of objections and how to overcome them to help you close more projects when you’re in that sales role.
Need some tips on coming up with content ideas? Check out these ideas from Optimizely.
The second tip in this piece on B2B marketing is super smart and one you can use in your copywriting business.
That’s all for now. Have a great weekend!
