🏯 7 Japanese Concepts To Avoid Burnout

Hey friend,

Content creation can be mentally taxing.

Showing up week-on-week is impossible to sustain unless you have systems (which we discuss a lot in this newsletter). But above all, creating content is a creative pursuit and we’re human, at the end of the day.

I went through a severe phase of burnout and I wouldn’t wish it on anyone. So today’s newsletter brings to you some, hopefully, fresh methods to ensure that being a creator is sustainable.

Sometimes, all it takes to improve our mental health is a tiny mindset shift.

Let’s get into it.

💭 Thought of the week

“Burnout is not a badge of honour.” - Greg McKeown

1. Yugen

This Japanese concept reminds us of the importance of staying present.



As creators, it’s easy to get overwhelmed by deadlines, so take a moment to appreciate the nice weather outside or how good your coffee tastes.

2. Chowa

It can be hard for creators to juggle their work and personal life.



So Chowa encourages that 'search for balance' between creative endeavours and personal relationships.

3. Oubaitori

The characters that spell out oubaitori represent four different trees that bloom in spring, each in its own way and time.



It’s a great reminder to stop comparing yourself to others and focus on your own
 creator journey.



4. Ikigai

Ikigai (‘reason for being’) is the idea of identifying our purpose in life and aligning it with our passions, skills, and values.



Find your unique voice to create content that's meaningful
 and personally 
rewarding. 



5. Wabi-sabi

Wabi-sabi is an approach to life that embraces imperfection — the idea that flaws do not negate our worth.



Remember that growth is incremental, and that mistakes and failures are a
natural part of the
 creator journey.

6. Shikata ga nai

Shikata ga nai means ‘it cannot be helped’ in Japanese. 

Focus on what you can change instead of getting down about things you can't control. 


If a post doesn't perform 
well, try to figure out why
 and focus on improving.

7. Kaizen

Kaizen means ‘continuous improvement’ through small, consistent changes. 


If you can get at least 1% better every day, you can drastically enhance the quality 
of your content over 
time.

If a concept particularly resonated with you, reply to this email to let me know. I love to jam on this stuff!

💡 A perspective to consider

"If you can't find the time to meditate for 20 minutes, you need to meditate for 2 hours.”

This hit me hard this week.

If we aren’t able to find the time for breaks, then that’s the biggest sign of all that you truly need one. There’s no point sleepwalking through your workweek. 

❤️ Content I LOVED

✏️ Questionnaire - DISC Personality Test

- I love personality tests and recently asked the team to take this free one on DISC profiles. It’s fast to do (well, that depends on your personality) and you get a nice visual after. It’s essential to understand on a deeper level who you’re working with.

📺️ TV Series - SAS: Who Dares Wins

- I’m not sure if this is only accessible in the UK, but I just started re-watching SAS Who Dares Wins and remembered how much I loved it! It’s a great watch entertainment-wise but it also hits home just how important our mindset is.

I also deeply respect the emotional intelligence shown by the ex-Special Forces members as they identify how to push each person.

📹️ YouTube - Behind The Diary by Steven Bartlett

- I’ve followed Steven Bartlett’s journey since I was 17. He’s a true entrepreneur who operates at a mind-blowing scale. His new vlog reveals the behind-the-scenes of his hectic schedule. Would I want that life? I’m not sure, but he revels in it!

✍️ Quote of the week

That’s a wrap. I hope you found this newsletter valuable.

Thanks for reading, I’ll see you next week!

Joe

P.S. Help me spread the word about Creator’s Compass by sharing the link below with a friend! Muchas gracias 😁