Here we are, not even 5 weeks into 2025, and work has started spiralling out of control again. I need to stop for a bit to regain control, get on top of some things, and take a moment to recalibrate.
Also, I desperately need an assistant. Now accepting applications here!
Spiralling, again
From the outset, I want to say that this is not a post about self pity. I count myself lucky every single day that I have a business I can call my own, the most wonderful team you can ever imagine, working in a field that I love and makes me happy.
It is because I love what I do so deeply that I work so hard at it.
And it is probably because of this that I find myself, yet again, overloaded, overwhelmed and stretched beyond my capacity.
Those who have followed along for a while would know that things have changed quite a lot around here in the last 4 years. Back in 2020, the RecipeTin world was a quiet one-girl-and-her-dog operation who hid behind the computer screen with a small support team that worked from home.
These days, I have a team of 9. I have a food bank (RecipeTin Meals) where 4 properly trained chefs work in a commercial kitchen and make over 130,000 homemade meals each year (plus desserts!) that we donate every day to the vulnerable.
I’ve written two cookbooks, both of which I partly blame for this new world in which we now operate. Because it turns out you get a bit of attention when the first book breaks records, then the second book breaks those records. 😉 Honestly, who knew books could do that??!
We do public events – cooking, hosting reader dinners, meet-and-greets, fundraisers for charities we want to support – both here in my hometown of Sydney and interstate, and do segments on TV shows. The fun stuff!
Behind the scenes, I have the responsibilities that come with having your own business. Administration, taxes, paperwork, corporate filings, HR, legal matters, business inquiries, making decisions about “what next” for the business. Looking after the team, organising team events, trying to keep up regular communication with a team that works from many different locations.
And with RTM being a registered charity, with that comes additional obligations, like regular board meetings which include independent directors and annual audits.
And lastly, let’s add to that, creating the recipes that I share on this website. Plus photographing them, editing the photos, filming them, writing up the posts, and testing the recipes.
I share this not to complain or boast about workload. I don’t think the latter is something to boast about anyway, because I’m here today, putting my hand up and saying – I don’t want to spiral back into that trap again of being completely overloaded, overwhelmed and stretched beyond my capacity.
I can’t. It’s unhealthy. While 2024 was a year of incredible highs, I ended it in a bad state of sheer exhaustion. I spent the entire 10 days of the Christmas break recovering, sleeping 12 to 15 hours every day. Unheard of for me – 6 hours is my norm, 8 hours would be a dream!
But spiralling again, I am.
My instinct in these situations in recent years has been grit my teeth, put my head down, tell my team “I need to go underground for a while” then ruthlessly plough through the work alone – developing, testing, shooting and getting through all the “businessy” stuff.
This time, though, I’m going to do something about it – and make positive changes!
I need help!
I always tell people I have “the best team anyone could be lucky enough to have” (and, I swear, the funniest too!). But the roles they fill are largely not front end at what we call “HQ” where the recipe development, testing and shooting gets done for this website.
And I am drowning. Absolutely drowning.
I need to rebuild my team. But first, I need the time to clear my head so I can set a clear vision for what my goals are and the strategy to achieve them, the people I need to make it happen.
And so today, I’m writing this post as a means of holding myself accountable (to myself!) to action two things:
Hire a kick-ass assistant with a great attitude whose job description is to make my life easier. Apply here!
Take a break from publishing new recipes for [two to three] weeks. Use the time to recalibrate, have quiet time to think about the next steps for the business, what I want to do, my strengths and weaknesses (SWOT analysis!), catch up on sleep, lavish Dozer with attention (like every day😂), and recruit my new assistant (yes, recruiting well takes time, so much time!).
Triggered by a cookie 🍪
If you’re wondering where this all came from, it happened yesterday and it was triggered by a cookie.
Today’s post was supposed to be a chocolate chip cookie recipe that I’ve been working on feverishly for several weeks – and stupidly (now I realise!), rather publicly as I jokingly shared fails and successes on social media.
32 batches in, over 250 cookies baked to get to the cookie I was aiming for, tested then tweaked then re-tested to make it as foolproof as possible.
I’ve filmed it, photographed it, I’ve even mostly written the post up, complete with all the learnings, pitfalls, and confidently declared to Herron, my video editor – “We have take off! 🚀🍪🍪”
Then yesterday, I made it again, just to test it one last time – and it wasn’t what it was supposed to be. Did I mis-measure something? Is the oven temperature off? Did I put the wrong timer on?
This was the moment
I frantically browned more butter, intent on doing another batch, calculating in my head – “if I get it in the fridge by 1 pm, I can do the short-chill test batch at 6 pm then the proper batch at 11 pm, which will finish cooling by 12.30 am so I can pack it away”.
This was followed by the thought “OK, I’ll make the dough here at work, then do groceries for the team breakfast tomorrow, drop into the building site on the way back so I can catch Nigel before he leaves, then I better duck home and walk Dozer so he can cool down before dinner. Then I’ll bring the groceries back to the office and prep for breakfast tomorrow, take the cookie dough home to bake tonight. I need to speak to Inggrid about cashflow forecasting, and oh crap, when is the next RTM board meeting? Ohhhh…and I forgot I have that 5.30 appointment, how much will she hate me if I reschedule? 😭 And I mustn’t forget to do my slides for the team presentation tomorrow – and UGH, the air con at the office is broken, it’s so insanely hot, we need to find another location for the meeting. I need to tell everyone we’re moving, and I better get than air con fixed, asap!”
And that was the moment I realised – I need to stop. Recalibrate. Take a break.
And use my time to find an assistant!
I will be back!
So, I’m taking a break from publishing new recipes, for 2 to 3 weeks to catch up on work that has piled up, think about what my next steps are and the team I need to make it happen.
Next week is already full with an exciting TV filming day (more soon!) and we have applications piled up already for the job vacancy which, to be honest, was advertised a week ago. Sharing it on my website is one of many little things that have slipped my mind. 🙂
My new assistant is the first important step to initiate change around here. I do not take recruitment lightly. I am very protective of my team, and the culture I’ve worked so hard to create and maintain.
So we need to get started on the recruitment because it will take quite a bit of time to get through the applications. And in case you are wondering, yes I am getting help from a recruitment company, I am just approaching it a little differently this time. Because this business is unique, my team is unique, I am unique! We find we don’t fit in moulds – and that’s ok, we like being different.
If you made it this far, thank you for listening to my ramblings. To be honest, it’s been pretty therapeutic, forcing myself to put thoughts down that have been whirling like crazy in my head in a semi-orderly fashion!
Bear with me. I will be back! Including that darn choc chip cookie recipe. It will not defeat me! – Nagi x
PS I expect I won’t be able to stay off social media completely because it’s my digital playground. I’m not cool enough for TikTok but I’m frequently putting real-life snippets on Instagram and Facebook.
Life of Dozer
Video from the fundraiser at SASH Ryde that Dozer and I attended last week to help raise funds for Sophie’s Legacy! I know there’s smiles and laughter – and it really was SO great meeting everyone – but there is a serious message behind it so I hope you get a chance to watch it:
If you’d like to support this cause, you can donate here or sign the petition here to help lobby for change. But even just talking about it, as I say in the video, means we are raising awareness and with that comes the start of change.
Dozer and I thank you for your support. – N x
PS Yes, I dropped to the floor, grabbed Dozer and took this selfie not 2 seconds ago!
Dear Nagi, you work so hard and we (your audience) appreciate you SO much… sharing all your amazing recipes, your yummy Dozer and your lovely books. Please take plenty of time for you and for Dozer to rest and recharge. We can wait… you have so many recipes that we love on your website to keep us busy. If I wasn’t in Canada, I would be right by your side helping out for free! xx
I care, take care, enjoy. with love.
Our dearest Nagi, please take as much time as you need to feel whole again – we want nothing more than to have you at your happiest, best self. There are so many recipes I still haven’t tried (because I already have so many of my favorites on repeat!). So don’t fret that you aren’t putting out new ones at the pace you’d like. Find yourself a rock star assistant (I so wish it could be me!), and let them take a huge load off your shoulders.
Thank you for sharing your struggles; your courage to be open with us helps to make it easier for others to do the same. Hugs to you and Dozer – time is finite – be sure you’re able to enjoy every minute!
Let go. Rest. Sleep. Re group. Be you. Your loved. Kiss Dozer. We’ll wait. 😘
Nagi thank you for sharing, please take care of yourself and listen to your body I am hearing complete exhaustion take some time out to reset and be kind to yourself. I’m sure you’re capable Team will step in . Hope you find the perfect assistant to ease your work load. TAKE CARE❤️. Katie B
Good on you for recognizing that you need time and space for some much needed self care. Your fans will be here when you come back. Best wishes to you, Dozer and your team and good luck finding the perfect assistant!
Nagi – please take all the time you need to rest and reset. You have to be your number 1 priority (so that Dozer can continue to be your number 1.1 🙂 )
Taking time out for you, and then focus time to work on the business instead of in the business (as all the cool business coaches say 😉 ) will reap so many rewards later on.
We will all be here when you get back – however long it takes, when you are relaxed and ready to go with whatever the next iteration of RTE looks like!
Hi Nagi – the fact you are able to recognise you are spiralling/ facing burnout is the first step to recovery. Your body is telling you to slow down, take a break and take time for yourself (and of course Dozer).
Remember you have to be ok before you are ok for anyone else. Spend time in nature and reset properly before you immerse yourself into work again.
You have so many amazing recipes to last your audience a life time so a few weeks to yourself will be ok xxx
Morning Nagi San. I wish I was younger. I would so love to help you. Please take the rest you need. Big hugs to you and Dozer.
Good for you recognizing that you need a break! Hiring an assistant sounds perfect and indeed takes time. Take care, and we’ll be here when you are ready to come back!
if I was not so old, I would come
and work for you for free. I am
a pretty gutsie gal like you.
Love Dozer.
regards, barb
As ever I admire your realness and your honesty – and your dedication and passion for your work, I relate to it and the toll it can take. I have more than once said “what do you mean, work/life BALANCE?” For me there is often no distinction. I messaged you a couple years ago in a down slump and you responded (so quickly!) and told me to hang tight, this too shall pass, and that in your experience, cake helps. So I’ll give your brilliant words back to you as you step back and recalibrate. Take care of you – because you take such good care of us. You have been feeding my family multiple nights a week for years, my children refer to you by name as if you’re an auntie, and when you next come to LA (please soon but only after you’ve rested up,) please tell your new assistant we will wait in any line for any amount of time to see you and thank you in person for all you do.
With much admiration and respect, Katie
You’re loved because you’re the type of human that does everything with “ALL” your heart and energy. Whether it’s developing a recipe, cooking for those in need, taking a photo with your staff, playing and life with Dozer! No surprise you’re exhausted! Please take care of yourself and spending quality time with Dozer. Take as long as you need and maybe consider hiring multiple assistants! Nagi fandome will always be here for you and Dozer.
Nagi I can’t believe you have no help. Crazy, girl! Stop right now and give yourself a big break before anything else.
Jeez girl – how have you not got an assistant already???
Take care Nagi! ❤️
Nagi, May your guardian angels give you the help you need to move forward, find healing rest, and quiet times for your body and mind to refresh. Thank you for all you do to make this world a better place by sharing your talents, heart, and special gifts to those near and far. You and Dozer are loved by so many. Rest!
Nagi, I enjoy your posting, it is like reading a good book, you are so creative and gifted, prayed for you to find a good help. As you rest your body please nourish your spirit as well.
Nagi you are amazing!
We love following you and Dozer and the excitement of opening your email each week is real – your recipes are delish.
We love that you have put your hand up to ask for help. Take all the time you need sister – we’ll still be here waiting xx
PLEASE rest and recoup and find strength in all the people who care about you. Your first obligation is to take care of YOURSELF and Dozer who also cares for you so much. We will wait for you whenever you are ready!