George Anders

If you're stuck as a writer, think about switching to an adjacent field that makes the most of your strengths -- and lets you walk away from your biggest frustrations. I've seen frustrated writers recast themselves as professional investors, nurses, publicists, podcasters, lawyers, salespeople and more. Maybe you've got great analytic stills, but your writing doesn't sing. Or you're awesome at meeting people and striking up rapport, but sitting at a keyboard is agony. This could be the time to make a career pivot, picking a new field that connects better with your true nature. You know what? Most of these transplants not only thrive in their new careers; they also find fresh respect for occasional on-the-job writing in their new roles

I'd recommend a self-care strategy with three main elements. First, create some time that's just for you. Running and/or swimming are great ways to keep your body strong while letting your mind unwind. Reading light fiction can hit the spot, too. Second, find and sustain a circle of friends who don't exactly know what you do for a living, but who like you anyway. This helps ensure that your self-esteem isn't 100% vulnerable to the ups and downs of a very demanding job. Finally, journal your own hopes, frustrations and goals. This is your safest of safe spaces, where you can vent without worrying about blowback. Reread your earlier entries sometimes, too. It's a fine way to realize how far you've come -- and what wisdom you already have.

Find an advocate! This is why nearly all successful novelists have literary agents. Making the words come together is hard. It involves lots of frustrations and tangles on route to even a middling first draft. It's very hard to pivot from an honest private assessment of your drafts -- to the bravado and public swagger that might be necessary to get your clients excited. If you aren't a novelist -- but are writing in a corporate setting -- find allies who can do all this necessary strutting on your behalf. Ideally, your own manager is both willing and able to do this. If not, see if other team members can help you.

Finding a senior-level ally -- early on -- can make a huge difference. I worked at a leading tech company once where the founding CEO had a narrow view of "positive social change," but the No. 2 executive, the chief operating officer, took a much wider view. In such situations, connecting with the COO and her emerging vision made a huge difference. She was able to mobilize resources and raise visibility very effectively. Sometimes, you get only one shot at senior management, and you need to come into that meeting with all your evidence and proposals fully developed. But more often, something as simple as a momentary conversation in the coffee line can open the door to a dialogue that gradually grows deeper and more substantive.

Fundamentally, social impact is about making the world a better place (*or at least trying to do so). That's an important asterisk at the end of the previous sentence. The most successful social-impact organizations have bold, brave missions and a coherent way of executing on them. But not everyone stays on track. After all, this is hard stuff. Expect to be overwhelmed sometimes by the size of the challenge, vs. your team's limited resources, regardless of whether you're fighting poverty, trying to improve schools or working toward racial justice. Do you believe in your team? Can you find ways to keep moving forward, no matter what? Can you win allies? If so, a career in social impact could be a great fit for you.

Starting and growing a podcast is hard work, but being a guest on someone else's podcast is much easier! So I'd highly recommend starting your podcast strategy by reaching out to hosts that you admire -- and asking them if you can be a guest. This is a great way to get comfortable with the format. You'll want to be chatty but not too verbose. Bring a sense of wonder and surprise. You're not delivering a keynote speech. Aim for something more like a coffee-house chat with a friend. Tell stories that touch the heart. Think of your podcast presence as a light-touch way of recruiting donors, volunteers and program partners. If you become an in-demand guest, then you're well set up for the transition to running your own podcast.