Workaholic
Find your own pace, balance effort with rest, and focus on creating meaningful work.
Let’s talk about work habits, balance, and productivity.
Don’t Be Like Me
I’m a workaholic, always have been. On vacation, my wife lounges on the beach while I sit under a cabana with my computer. I can’t imagine doing nothing — it stresses me out. That’s my personality, not a model for you. Don’t compare yourself to me or feel pressured to match my pace. Find your own rhythm.
What Commitment Can You Make?
Decide on a healthy commitment. Something challenging but sustainable. You need to push yourself to finish projects, but not at the cost of your health or sanity. Dabbling without finishing a book won’t build a career. Challenge yourself thoughtfully, and set achievable goals that keep you productive without burning out.
Balance is Key
Work is important, but balance is essential. Take time to refresh your mind, body, and soul. Relaxation isn’t a waste; it fuels creativity. Even so, at some point, you must get back to the work if you want results. Writing is a marathon, not a sprint, and consistent effort produces outcomes.
The Work is Hard and Takes Time
Writing a book, or multiple books, isn’t glamorous. It takes persistence and effort. Scenes need to be written, tied together, and polished. Marketing and promoting your books adds even more work. This is why the myth of “passive income” for authors is misleading. Nothing about being a successful author is passive.
Refresh Your Mind & Body, Then Get Back to Work
Even workaholics need breaks. Rest and reflection improve productivity and creativity. Learn to work smarter over time. As you gain experience, tasks take less energy — like building a bookshelf: the first one takes four hours, the second forty-five minutes. Continuous improvement applies to writing, marketing, and life.
Embrace the Work as Memorializing Your Dreams
Writing is about more than income. It’s about preserving your ideas, dreams, and imagination. You take something from your mind, craft it into a story, polish it, and share it with the world. Each book becomes a permanent testament to your creativity. This mindset keeps you motivated and focused on quality and growth.
Final Thought
Work hard, but work wisely. Find your own pace, balance effort with rest, and focus on creating meaningful work. Writing is a journey of persistence, improvement, and dedication — memorializing your dreams while building your craft and career.
Workaholic - Original Medium Article
Workaholic - Over 1000 Five Minute Focus videos on the Successful Indie Author YouTube Channel
SIA Writing Challenge website - Record Your Progress on Your Way to Becoming a Successful Indie Author
Craig Martelle is an author, leader, and entrepreneur living in Alaska. Retired from the Marine Corps military intelligence community and physical security, he graduated summa cum laude from law school and went into business consulting. From intelligence, to the inner workings of company boardrooms, to on-the-ground leadership, Craig has seen it firsthand.
He is a million-selling author of over 200 science fiction (post-apocalyptic, military sci-fi, and space opera), thrillers, and the non-fiction series, Successful Indie Author. Craig has been running author conferences since 2017, and also the Successful Indie Author Facebook Group, and the Successful Indie Author YouTube Channel.
Leadership is a service, not a crown to lord over others.