Moving From Burnout to Balance

It’s been a while! Life (and business) got busy, and this monthly email slipped through the cracks like the ever-precarious rogue sock or the Apple TV remote buried in the sofa, if you’re in my house.

March 30th marked a year back in full-time self-employment at Boulevard Creative, and June 1st will be our 10th anniversary, which is hard for me to believe. It's been a whirlwind – especially this past year. New challenges, both work-related and personal, seemingly piled up on me. Looking back through it all, I realized I was pushing myself too hard. The constant pressure built up, leading to a period of intense stress and anxiety that broke around the holidays, along with a bout of “long COVID,” which I’ve dealt with for months.

Why share this? Because for most of my career, self-care wasn't on my radar. My default mode was "go, go, go!" ?But last year, my body and mind finally screamed "STOP!" It just took these feelings coming to the surface and not being able to ignore them any longer.

Since then, I've been working on avoiding burnout while still growing my business.? And here's the question I have for you:?When was the last time you truly stopped and took a breath?

For me, just "being" in the moment was a struggle. But now, I schedule breaks – even short ones – to unplug and recharge throughout my day. It makes all the difference, and I’m able to give more of myself to my work and my clients.

A few things I either learned or were reinforced to me over the past six months:

• Ruthless prioritization:?You can't do it all, and not everything requires an immediate response. Heck, not everything always requires a response at all (looking at you, iMessage)
• The power of "no":?A confident "no" is more powerful than a “yes” and can guide you toward the type of work that is meaningful to you, rather than an endless to-do list.
• Small steps, big impact:?On tough days, keep moving forward, even in small ways.
• Your health comes first:?Listen to your body. It won’t ever steer you wrong. Self-care isn't a luxury as much as I’d typically like to ignore it; it's essential to avoid burnout.
• Gratitude is everything:?Things could always be worse. Practice gratitude and remember all of the good things going for you in life. There are plenty.
• You're not alone:??Reach out to your support network. We're all in this together.

Beyond just staying in touch and showcasing my work, my intention behind these emails is to provide something useful or actionable for you each month, so I want it to be a place of vulnerability, and in turn, I hope, authenticity.?

So what are you working on? Or working?through? My inbox, DMs, and ears are always open. I invite you to reach out to me below. I’d love to hear from you or grab a cup of coffee.

Let's Meet:

Cutting Through the Noise: Why Email Marketing Reigns Supreme in Today’s Crowded Digital Space

The digital marketing landscape has become a bit of a battlefield in recent years. Brands are vying for fleeting attention spans, social media algorithms are fickle gatekeepers, and organic reach feels like a mythical creature. In this cacophony, how do you ensure your message lands with the right audience, resonates deeply, and translates into action? Enter a tried and true method as mature as the internet itself: email marketing, a surprisingly powerful (and often overlooked) weapon in your digital arsenal.

In a world saturated with pop-up ads and fleeting tweets, email offers a unique advantage: direct access to an engaged audience. Unlike social media platforms where algorithms dictate what users see, email lands squarely in a user’s inbox, a space they intentionally visit. This direct line of communication fosters a sense of intimacy and allows you to build genuine relationships with your target market.

However, the benefits extend far beyond just bypassing the algorithm. Read on to learn why email marketing is a secret weapon in any well-rounded digital strategy.

Read on .

Client Spotlight: 100.7 The Bay’s New Website

We recently had the privilege of revamping the website for 100.7 The Bay, one of Baltimore’s most popular radio stations. The old site didn’t reflect the station’s success and deep community engagement. Collaborating closely with The Bay’s digital and on-air teams, including the top-rated Huber In The Morning show, we crafted a new website that truly reflects its status as a powerhouse in a top-25 radio market. As a family-owned station, The Bay demonstrates just how powerful radio still is as a medium in 2024 when run locally and done right.

Thanks to Times-Shamrock Communications, GM Steve Borneman, and the rest of the local team for their trust and confidence in us!

Check it out here .

Thanks for being here and for reading. I appreciate you. Be excellent to one another, and I’ll see you here again in June.