I took a break and won’t feel guilty about it

Well, I am back. It’s been over a year since my last blog so in the scheme of things it’s a blip in the vast content time black hole. I don’t know what it feels like to be back providing my thoughts and insights on the state of public relations and entrepreneurship; aside from knowing my mom is proud.

Honestly, I needed to walk away from the rat race of churning out content. As someone who lives in this space on a professional level, creating content for ABC became a slog. I am sure many of you feel the same but don’t feel comfortable voicing your struggles for fear of being left behind by your competitors that are currently posting all the amazing things happening in their business multiple times a day. My response? Who cares?

I cared. For a long time, I cared what others were thinking about what I was posting, if I looked busy enough, were my images and stories aesthetic enough or was my content informative and engaging enough. It became all-consuming. So, I unfollowed or muted many of my “competitors” (I don’t view them as that, as we are all friendly colleagues) just to avoid feeling “less than others.” COVID was complicated for me, as with many and I lost my passion for PR and communications. With so many of my clients struggling, it was inevitable that I took on their fear and anger as well.

Now that we are all emerging from the last few years and wondering what lies ahead, I am feeling that pull of energy to wet my feet again; to share my knowledge while continuing to discover new technology. ChatGPT, anyone?

2022 gave me several opportunities to present to various groups and conferences which is one of my favourite things to do. Speaking to the students at Bow Valley College has ignited my interest in getting my master’s to be able to become a sessional instructor; something I never would have considered three or four years ago. Just as our professional lives change, so do our personal interests.

Speaking of personal interests, it is my goal this year to focus on more of what fills my soul. What does that look like? Well, I am sorting that now. I will say it will include prioritizing my friends and family over the constant “hustle” of running a business. I want to focus on bettering my French, breathing fresh air and maybe finding out what all the hubbub is about White Lotus.

Now, feel free to get off this page if you don’t want to get into the nitty gritty of productivity. Yes, I know. Hence, the warning. The word productivity screams industrial revolution or working on an assembly line but it’s really how we best use our time. It’s crucial to both personal and professional life as it plays a major role in achieving personal and organizational goals.

I fully admit to being a procrastinator and staying on task as well as a four-year-old. Don’t tell my clients but many a strategy or campaign has been compiled in a last-minute panic at 2 a.m. Having more time available during the pandemic was both a blessing and a curse. Without strict deadlines, lying in bed until 9 a.m. became very easy. Now that I have to get my shit together, re-learning how to be a productive member of society is a necessity.

One of the best things I have done to help me focus is to minimize distractions and eliminate time-wasters. I turned off notifications on my phone and even the “ding” of incoming emails on my desktop, I am connecting to Calendly where I provide specific times when I am available for meetings and most importantly, taking breaks. (See how I brought it back to the main theme? I am an SEO wizard.)

It is essential to take breaks and recharge to maintain productivity levels. This can include taking a walk, meditating, or engaging in a hobby. Lastly, having a positive attitude and staying motivated can significantly boost productivity. This can be achieved by setting achievable goals, finding meaning and purpose in what you do, and seeking feedback and support from others. Trust me, you need to nurture your village like nothing else.

My tagline for 2023 is “we can do this.” Let’s lean on each other, be vulnerable and stay motivated.