Ins and Outs for the Second Half of 2025
We’re almost halfway through 2025 and you know what that means – it’s time to re-evaluate our goals, celebrate our wins, and solidify plans for the next half. With AI coming in hot, 2025 and beyond is going to be all about creativity! We don’t just need to think outside the box, we need to think outside a computer’s capabilities, so buckle in and get ready to implement habits that will bring out the best in your creative self. Whether you’re in your season of hustle, balance, or rest, these ins and outs will help you enter the second half of the year with the right priorities.
IN:
- Having fun with your brand (personality sells!)
- Surrounding yourself with other ambitious people
- Early nights, early wins
- Saying “let’s collab” instead of “let’s compete”
- Actual project timelines (not just vibes and chaos)
- Lo-fi, chill playlists while you write, edit, or brainstorm
- Nature walks to solve creative blocks
- Mindful moments instead of “just pushing through”
- Automating boring tasks so you can focus on your genius
- Using AI tools to automate boring tasks so you can pour your energy into the creative tasks
- Laughing at your typos, not crying over them
- Taking imperfect action
- Being visible before you feel 100% ready
- Telling people about your book-in-progress with pride
- Celebrating the small wins, because they stack
- Creating content that feels good to make
- Reading fiction just for joy
- Creative rest (like watching a great film, not doom scrolling)
- Author retreats that feel like spa-meets-strategy
- Boundaries with love
- Rewriting the rules your way
OUT:
- Replying to emails like your self-worth depends on it
- Obsessing over time – energy is the real currency
- Desktop alerts pinging every 12 seconds
- Constantly comparing your behind-the-scenes to someone else’s highlight reel
- Trying to be everywhere online and burning out
- Imposter syndrome running your creative life
- Waiting for permission to start
- Apologising for taking up space or having something to say
- Perfectionism as a productivity mask
- Working through lunch like it’s a badge of honour
- “Should-ing” all over your goals
- Thinking rest is lazy
- Believing you need a massive following to make a big impact
- Ignoring your creative rhythm in the name of hustle
- Forcing inspiration instead of fostering it
- Over-scheduling and under-prioritising
- Creating for the algorithm instead of for your audience
- Treating your book like a side project when it deserves centre stage
At Dean Publishing, we’re all about what’s in – integrity, impact, and making your message matter.
Whether you’re writing your first book or your fifth, our team is here to help you get it done without the burnout.
Let’s build the kind of author life that feels aligned, exciting, and totally doable.
