Yes, you can have a successful PR career and rest, too
One of the first things they tell you when you begin a career in PR or communications is it’s a 24/7 job. And they’re absolutely right.
Yet one thing that’s often not mentioned is the importance of creating boundaries so you don’t burn out. Often, creating boundaries is something communicators learn after their first few or years so in their career (at least that’s the way it happened for me) or until they have a major period of burnout and decide to make a career change.
As a high-achieving perfectionist, PR was the perfect career choice for me. However, it’s also offered the perfect recipe for stress and anxiety in my career. In the early days, I felt pressured to prove myself and show I am capable of doing the job. This translated into having zero time boundaries, feeling guilty for not doing more and more, and replying to every email right away. Woof.
Early on, the hustle was all worth it to me because I was young and building a career, growing and making a true difference. Isn’t there a saying that goes “hustle in your 20s, build in your 30s and chill in your 40s”? I thought the stressful career was part of the success story.
I went into PR to make a difference. However, I knew at my core I am someone who pushes down my stress. I’ve been that way ever since I was in high school. I realized I needed to find a way where I could still make a positive impact in my career without beating myself up on the days I messed up.
My PR career was having an impact on my happiness and mental health. It wasn’t until I read two books called “Grace Not Perfection” and “Present Over Perfect” where when my definition of success changed for me. It was no longer about press hits, a personal brand or job titles, but about creating a successful career where I can make an impact and also create more margin in my life for rest and the people and things I love.
So why am I so passionate about changing the way we work in PR and communications?
Well, I believe there’s a better way.
I believe we can work hard without sacrificing rest, exercise and eating well.
I believe we can be present with our loved ones and friends, and say YES to vacation without checking email while we’re out of the office.
I believe we can have hobbies and make time to read books, watch a movie on a Sunday afternoon or shut off the computer for the weekend.
You might be thinking, “But Olivia, you know PR doesn’t sleep. A crisis can happen at any time.”
You’re right. And you can bet if a crisis happens at 9 p.m. on a Tuesday night, I will be there even if it means jumping on Zoom in my pajamas. But after the crisis is handled, I will be carving out time to rest and recharge so I can do it all over again. I love that stuff. I love the thrill and fast-paced environment, and above all, making a difference.
I’m writing this blog post because it’s clear the PR industry hasn’t built in time for recovery or rest. It hasn’t taught college students or new professionals how to create boundaries in their careers. I’m hoping I can do that here in this space.
We PR people and communicators are dedicated, loyal, hard-working people who give our all, all of the time. We sacrifice workout routines, our kids’ piano recitals and spontaneous weekend getaways because we’re so focused on our work. Or when we do these things, we’re plugged into our phones the entire time. Part of me thinks we did this to ourselves as an industry (or I can blame it on the invention of email or the smartphone). But I’m here to unravel those old habits and, ultimately, teach the next generation of communicators learn how to make a difference in their career without giving up what matters most to them.
On this blog, I will share my tips and things I’ve learned along the way that have helped me succeed in my PR career. I hope by sharing what I did when working my busiest, non-stop days to create rest and what I do now in my career to live a balanced life will inspire you to prioritize what matters most in your life and career.
