SFA 118 – Leaning on Your Strengths for Greater Productivity in Writing and Marketing
Feb 3, 2022
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Becca Syme, a Gallup-Certified Strengths Coach and success coach with writers, discusses navigating challenges in author careers and the benefits of gamification. She explores identifying strengths, increasing productivity, and the challenges of transitioning to full-time writing. Becca also delves into leveraging strengths in book marketing and the nuances of introversion, extroversion, and burnout recovery. In addition, she examines external factors like job dissatisfaction and life events that contribute to burnout.
Burnout is a systemic issue that takes longer to recover from, and its root cause can be determined by examining underlying issues and identifying contributing factors in one's life.
Overcoming writer's block involves understanding one's personality traits, taking breaks, finding solutions to specific hurdles, and refilling the creative well through activities like reading.
Marketing strategies should align with one's personality and preferences, prioritizing effective channels and investing time in activities that yield tangible results and resonate with readers.
Deep dives
The Difference Between Being Blocked and Burned Out
The podcast episode explores the difference between being blocked and burned out. Being blocked is seen as fixable and can be solved with a few steps, such as taking a break or figuring out the plot. On the other hand, burnout is described as a systemic issue that takes longer to recover from, usually lasting at least a month. It is suggested that burnout can stem from external factors like job dissatisfaction or life circumstances. The root cause of burnout can be determined by examining the underlying issues and identifying the aspects of one's life that may be contributing to the burnout.
Overcoming Burnout Based on Personal Strengths
The episode discusses how individuals with different personality strengths can overcome burnout. For example, for someone high in communication or woo, engaging with and connecting with other people can be rejuvenating. On the other hand, people with strengths like input may find solace in reading and gathering information to refill their creative well. The key is identifying what fills them up and making intentional efforts to include those activities in their recovery process.
Expectations and Finding the Right Path
The podcast delves into the expectations and pressures writers often place on themselves. It emphasizes the importance of aligning expectations with reality and understanding that every writer's journey is unique. It is highlighted that factors like personal circumstances, responsibilities, and timeline play a significant role in individual success. The episode encourages writers to avoid comparing themselves to others and to focus on their own path, acknowledging that success can come at different stages and is not solely determined by external measures.
Recognizing and Addressing Writer's Block
The podcast also explores the concept of writer's block. It highlights that writer's block can often be resolved with simple steps, such as taking breaks or finding solutions to specific hurdles like plot development. The episode suggests that understanding one's own personality traits and learning how to work with them can be key in overcoming writer's block. Additionally, it emphasizes the importance of refilling the creative well, such as through reading, to stimulate inspiration and overcome creative obstacles.
Effect of External Factors on Productivity
External factors, such as changes in one's environment, can significantly impact productivity. When variables change, many individuals struggle to adapt and cling to old routines, leading to frustration and decreased output. Accepting that other people's priorities matter helps in adjusting one's expectations and making necessary arrangements. It is essential to understand that one's productivity is affected by external factors, and there is nothing wrong or broken if one needs more stability and environmental support to thrive.
Finding Marketing Strengths and Assessing Platforms
Marketing strengths are not necessarily tied to extroversion or social media proficiency. Different behavior patterns, like having fewer but closer relationships, can be beneficial for creating a loyal and dedicated fan base. It is vital to align marketing strategies with one's personality and preferences. Evaluating the effectiveness of various marketing channels and focusing on the ones that make a noticeable impact is crucial. Many authors feel overwhelmed by the expectation to be present on all platforms, but it is important to prioritize and invest time in activities that yield tangible results and resonate with readers.
We’ve got a great interview for you this week! Our guest is Becca Syme, a Gallup-Certified Strengths Coach with a master’s degree in Transformational Leadership and fourteen years of experience in success coaching with writers,…
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