We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Lizzy James a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Lizzy, so great to have you with us today. There are so many topics we want to ask you about, but perhaps the one we can start with is burnout. How have you overcome or avoided burnout?
Right out of college, I stepped into a marketing role that was super fast-paced. Long hours were the ‘norm’ and being constantly available to clients felt expected. I believed that saying “yes” to everything and everyone was how to prove you were committed, capable, and worth keeping around. I poured my energy into meeting deadlines, exceeding expectations, and anticipating everyone else’s needs before they even had to ask.
What I didn’t realize at the time was that I had completely removed myself from the equation.
I had zero work-life balance. Weekdays and weekends blurred together, my nervous system lived in a constant state of urgency, and my sense of worth slowly became tied to how useful I was to other people. I thought that was what ambition looked like. I thought burnout was just part of “paying your dues.”
But over time, I realized I was constantly tired in a way that rest didn’t fix. I felt creatively drained, emotionally disconnected, and constantly behind — even when I was doing everything “right.” I was showing up for everyone else, but I wasn’t showing up for myself. And eventually, that kind of imbalance always catches up to you.
Burnout forced me to take an honest look at how I was working — and why.
I realized I had confused being a good employee with being endlessly available. I believed that if I slowed down, set boundaries, or prioritized my own needs, I would fall behind or let people down. The truth was the opposite: I was burning myself out trying to be everything to everyone.
Fixing this mindset definitely didn’t happen overnight. It started with small but uncomfortable changes — like learning to say no without over-explaining, creating clearer boundaries around my time (putting my phone on Do Not Disturb on weekends is a BIG one), and letting go of the idea that my value was tied to a constant output. I began to understand that rest wasn’t something I earned after exhaustion, it was something I needed in order to be effective at all.
As my business partner and I went on to start James Lord Creative, these mindset changes became even more important. As chronic people pleasers, we learned that the energy we bring into a room matters. When I’m depleted, rushed, or overwhelmed, it doesn’t just affect me — it affects my team, my clients, and the work we’re building together. Protecting my peace and avoiding burnout isn’t about disengaging; it’s about leading with intention, clarity, and sustainability.
Today, I approach how I work very differently than I did in my early career. I build systems that allow for balance. I prioritize communication and boundaries. I make space for creativity, rest, and family — not as an afterthought, but as part of the work itself. And I encourage my team to do the same.
That said, I’m still a work in progress.
Avoiding burnout isn’t a one-time decision — it’s something you choose over and over again, especially in leadership. There are still days when I catch myself slipping back into old habits, overextending, or feeling the pressure to do it all. The difference now is awareness. I notice it sooner, and I give myself permission to course-correct.
What I’ve learned is that real change doesn’t happen through massive, overnight transformations. It happens through small, consistent steps. One boundary. One honest conversation. One weekend left on Do Not Disturb. Those moments add up, and over time, they create a way of working — and living — that actually feels sustainable.
Burnout taught me that hustle without care isn’t strength — it’s a fast track to losing yourself. You don’t have to sacrifice yourself to be successful. Start small. Give yourself permission to take up space in your own life. Progress doesn’t happen overnight!
Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?
At James Lord Creative, we help organizations tell meaningful stories that connect people to their purpose. Our work includes social media strategy, content creation, website design and development, email marketing, and brand storytelling for nonprofits, small businesses, and mission-driven organizations. What excites us most is helping clients move beyond “posting to post” and instead show up with clarity, consistency, and heart — creating content that actually resonates with their communities.
What makes our work special is our relationship-first approach. We don’t believe in one-size-fits-all marketing. Every brand has a story worth telling, and we take the time to understand the people behind it — their goals, challenges, and impact — so the work feels authentic and aligned. We’re proud to be a women-led team that values collaboration, creativity, and thoughtful strategy just as much as results.
As we head into 2026, we’re especially excited about a renewed focus on long-term partnerships and purposeful growth. We’re expanding our packages, refining our systems to better support our clients, and continuing to work alongside organizations that are doing good in their communities. There’s a lot ahead, and we’re grateful for the opportunity to keep building work that truly matters.
There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?
1. Clarity over Perfection
Early on, I thought everything had to be perfectly planned before I could get started. What I’ve learned is that clarity comes from doing. Showing up, testing ideas, and refining along the way has been far more impactful than waiting for the “perfect” moment. My advice for anyone early in their journey/career is to just start even if it’s before you feel ready. Take small, consistent steps — momentum builds confidence faster than overthinking ever will.
2. Relationship-building and Trust
No matter the industry, relationships are everything. Being dependable, listening well, and genuinely caring about the people you work with has opened more doors than any single skill ever could. For those just starting out: focus on being someone people trust. Communicate clearly, follow through on your commitments, and don’t underestimate the power of kindness and professionalism.
3. Adaptability and Willingness to learn
The digital marketing world is always changing, so staying curious and open to learning has made a big difference for me. Being willing to try new tools, follow trends, and shift direction when something isn’t working has helped me grow both personally and professionally. My advice is to stay flexible and keep learning — but don’t overthink it. Apply what you’re learning as you go, and give yourself room to evolve.
Awesome, really appreciate you opening up with us today and before we close maybe you can share a book recommendation with us. Has there been a book that’s been impactful in your growth and development?
One book that really stuck with me is Managing Leadership Anxiety: Yours and Theirs by Steve Cuss. It helped me connect the dots between leadership anxiety and burnout — especially how constantly feeling “on,” over-responsible, or reactive can quietly wear you down over time.
One of the biggest takeaways for me was how much of leadership stress actually starts internally. The book talks a lot about self-awareness and noticing how your own triggers, inner critic, and how a need to fix things can drive your behavior. When that anxiety goes unchecked, it often turns into over functioning, people-pleasing, and always feeling like everything is urgent — which is a fast track to burnout.
What I appreciated most is that the book isn’t heavy or overly theoretical. It gives really practical tools to help you slow down, notice what’s happening in the moment, and choose more intentional responses instead of reacting on autopilot. It really highlights how when leaders are stressed or reactive, that energy doesn’t stay contained — it impacts the whole group.
The biggest personal takeaway for me was learning how to recognize and manage my own anxiety triggers and inner critic. Once I could see when anxiety was driving my decisions, it became easier to pause, set better boundaries, and lead in a way that felt more sustainable — for both me and the people I work with.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.jameslordcreative.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jameslordcreativeco/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jameslordcreativeco/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lizzy-james-96156a156/
Image Credits
Melanie Gutsu
Katya Vilchyk
so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
