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!
Take care Nagi, you are very brave to admit the necessary path to your well being. I’ll still be here when you come back.x
Nagi, you are a wise lady, and having an assistant/s ease your pressure cooker life at present (sorry for the pun!). Look after yourself and your little fluffy guy, we can all wait a while 🤗
Your the first and foremost important thing in your business and if your burning the candle at both ends something has to give. You need to look after yourself and that beautiful dozer. Take some time to smell the roses and we will all be here waiting for you when you are refreshed. I’d work for you for free if it was possible to keep recipe tins going. You take care of yourself Nagi and hope you find the best assistant needed to make your life that bit less hectic❤️❤️❤️❤️
I love you Nagi, take care of yourself. You are a very special person and you have made my life so much better because of what you do.
Oh Nagi, I am sooooooooo grateful for you and your commitment to your craft. You are gifted, devoted and a blessing to so many!!! Be gentle with yourself and take as much time as you need. After 53 years in Primary education I know the tension of complete commitment vs personal wellbeing, so if I was young enough I would work beside you for free!!!!! Take care x
Sending you the biggest virtual hug ever and the same for Dozer. Just take care, we’ll be here when you get back. Don’t think you realise how loved you both are xxx 😘
There are tons of brilliant recipes for us to try for a few weeks, we’ll be ok! Fingers crossed with the recruitment.
Dear Nagi
You do far too much in a day/week. You need to step back and practice self love, both for your sake and for Dozers. We all understand your passion but seriously, a recipe a week, a fortnight or even a month would be wonderful. Your charity work is so wonderful. No need to turn yourself inside out. Life is too short and you need time for you ❤️ Hope you find an amazing assistant 🙏
Dear Nagi and Dozer,
Much as I love your recipes, I love YOU a whole lot more! Love always hearing your doings and about Dozer. Please consider (after your 3 week respite) producing only 2 recipes per month for a time!! We’ll all love you just as much, and we can also rest knowing you have plenty of time for/with Dozer (your A#1 assistant!!! Best wishes on finding an assistant who turns out even better than you dreamed possible 🥰
The most important thing for a business owner to do is make time for themselves and you need trusted people around you to be your “free hands” . You will find that truly special person for your assistant then a weight will be lifted, youll have carefree time for yourself and be able to enjoy your business & charity growing and suceeding. Youll find what you need no doubt about it. Big pats to dozer
Hi Nagi you are doing an amazing job love your 2 cookbooks, your other recipes and Dozer.
Thanks for sharing with us, you need to take as long as you need to re energise as your health is most important.
We love you and Dozer
rest up beautiful lady
Nagi I have followed you for a couple of years. Why? Your recipes are interesting and certainly manageable and delicious. I especially appreciate your love of butter! But more importantly what does come across is your sincerity and humility. I have heard and read reports of the amount of ‘hands on ‘ work that you do on your promotional work across the country and that you honestly connect with people. You don’t simply use it as a cash making venture which most people do. I have great respect for you without ever meeting. You’re a good person and whatever you do make sure the balance is right for you and Dozer. Sorry if this is a tad convoluted but I’m also watching the first televised game of the NRL practise series. All my love and support, Jim
I love you Nagi!!!
Oh Nagi, take care of yourself and Dozer, get out even just to sit in the sunshine and have plenty of rest. Looking forward to when you’re back, hopefully with your new assistant. Take care, love n hugs x
Hi Nagi. This was definitely not a poor me post. You have had a wonderful year of amazing hard work and multiple trips and book demands. Moved house and had health scares with Dozer. All I can say is thankyou for all your recipes and posts and amazing work with meals for community members and all you do with great humility and humour. Am so glad you are taking some much needed time out for yourself and hopefully fitting in some real time for yourself to reset. Take good care and will look forward to future posts Dozer updates and recipes when you are ready. Kind regards Anne
Hi Nagi, good luck with this next part of your life. I’m sure, with care, you will find the perfect assistant (I’d apply but I’m 75!} big hugs to you and Dozer. With every good wish. Cheers Pat
Nagi women are amazing!
Would you like me to write you a note” to whom it may concern…Nagi needs a holiday, no correspondence for the next 3 weeks is highly recommended, thankyou for your time”
There you go, problem solved
Please take this as good advice
I hope you find an assistant fairly speedily to help take some pressure off and thank you so much for all the wonderful recipes you provide. Time to step back for a while and re-energise your batteries with Dozer and perhaps allow 2025 to be a less pressurised year. Please take care of yourself. UK subscriber.
Take care of yourself and Dozer Nagi! That’s the most important thing.
Nagi, are you sure one assistant is enough????
Bridget – my thought too! Love you and your recipes Nagi.
Take care of yourself! We love your recipes and want to see more of you. Take time for yourself though – that is most important.