72How not to burn out

The first weeks are addictive: everything works, every evening brings something new, you don't want to sleep. Then it catches up with you. Here's how to avoid that.

Don't sit up every single night. It works right up until it doesn't. The crash afterwards can last weeks.

Finish on a good note. Not "I'll break this and go to bed", but stop yourself at a moment where something worked. You'll sit down more willingly tomorrow.

Take breaks between projects. Finished one - breathe for a couple of days. Don't throw yourself straight into the next.

Count what's done, not what's left. The "still to do" list is infinite by definition. The "already done" list tells the truth.

And most importantly: this should be fun. If it's turned into an obligation, something has gone wrong - either the project isn't yours or the pace is too brutal. Stop and work out which; don't wait until it burns out completely.