JLC CEO, Lizzy James, Featured in Bold Journey Magazine
Recently, I had the opportunity to sit down with Bold Journey Magazine for a feature conversation about my journey in marketing, leadership, and building James Lord Creative.
If I’m being honest, interviews like this always catch me a little off guard. Not because the questions are difficult — but because they make you slow down long enough to really think about how you work, not just what you’re working on.
One of the main topics we talked about was burnout.
Early in my career, I thought being “good at my job” meant being constantly available. Long hours, quick responses, saying yes before I had time to think — it all felt like part of paying your dues. For a while, that pace worked. Until it didn’t.
Over time, I started noticing that even when things were going well on paper, something felt off. I was tired in a way rest didn’t fix, creatively drained, and constantly running at a speed that wasn’t sustainable long term.
That realization changed how I approach my work today.
Doing Things Differently at JLC
When my business partner and I started James Lord Creative, I knew I didn’t want to build a company that thrived on burnout — for myself or for our team.
We’ve learned that how you work matters just as much as the results you deliver. Clear boundaries, thoughtful systems, and open communication aren’t luxuries — they’re what allow creativity to actually happen.
That doesn’t mean everything is perfectly balanced all the time. It means we pay attention. We adjust. We leave room for real life alongside great work.
Still Learning, Still Growing
The biggest takeaway from this conversation? Avoiding burnout isn’t a one-time decision. It’s something you choose again and again — especially as a business owner.
There are still moments when I catch myself slipping back into old habits or overcommitting. The difference now is awareness, and the willingness to course-correct sooner.
Being featured in Bold Journey Magazine felt less like a spotlight moment and more like a checkpoint — a chance to reflect on what’s working, what’s evolving, and how I want to continue showing up for my team, our clients, and myself.
If you’re navigating growth, leadership, or trying to find a more sustainable way to work, I hope this conversation reminds you that you don’t have to do it all at once — or all alone.
