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!
I experienced burn out with my business 5 years ago. Even though you love your business and your life, burn out still happens. Owning your own business eventually takes over “your life.” It’s really tough. I’ve been there- it’s difficult to figure out what needs to give. You are doing what you need to do. You’ll get help with the “business end” of stuff so that you can get balanced again. Take it easy. Rest. I know it’s hard but you gotta do it. It takes time to recalibrate and realize that you can only do so much. Give yourself a hug when you need one! Seriously! Tell yourself nice things. Take care of YOU. 😊
Remember the old flight safety adage Nagi: “fit your own mask before you help anyone else”! Take the time you need. We’ll all still be here when you’re ready to come back. Big Love.
Best wishes Nagi. The recipes are, of course, fabulous, but I also take inspiration from your lovely smile and warmth. And today 7.02.25 I read the post and found out what wonderful things you have been doing. My day is better now. Very best wishes, Mike
The great thing is you know what you need to do. Take a break, enjoy Dozer and catch up on what you need to do. Take care of you! 💜
Good for you Nagi !! And take as much time as you need before publishing new recipes for us! I know I have about half a dozen recipes still to be tried, not to mention all those delicious ones waiting to be repeated, and I bet I’m not the only one! Take good care ❤️
I think you and Dozer are both amazing. I love your recipes. My grandson and I made your Christmas cake recipe a few years ago as a gift for a special friend…it was a big hit.
It takes maturity to make the call for time out.
Thank you so much for all you do and are doing. I love your recipes and it is great having your site as a go-to before I cook anything.
You must look after yourself as you have so many people/dog dependent on you so you are doing the right thing.
You are quite right about needing an assistant/s with all you do. I wish you well in finding the right applicant for the position so you may spread your many talents around and not get exhausted.
When you get the right assistant, make sure you train them well and you will reap the reward.
Take care. Hugs to you and Dozer.
Dear Nagi. You are a blessing to everyone & you must look after yourself. Do not burn out. You are very generous to post beautiful recipes & you should not feel obligated to keep posting until you do have the time. They are marvellous recipes. My prayers for you, your people & Dozer. God Bless
Jan Judge
Dearest Nagi, Shoo that’s exciting and also exhausting 😳so happy to hear you are taking a break😳🙏😍A big squeashy hug from Dover will ease your exhaustion 😁😁Have a bless n beautiful rest, Love n Blessings to you your family n team
Nagi – Take the time you need to get organized and bring more balance to your life. That is really the most important thing right now for you personally, and even fo your business. You have supplied us with so many wonderful recipes, and we will be just fine while you take a hiatus! All the best to you and Dozer!
I have already cooked so many of your wonderful recipes but it will take two years to get through all the new recipes of I have flagged to make – so you take as long as you need to recharge 🙂
I will let you know when I run out of content 😉 but I doubt I will ever catch up!
Always good to hear when someone knows how to say STOP I need to take care of myself. Well done. If you are not on top no one functions properly. Take all the time you need
Hi Nagi, good idea to have some time out and look after yourself. Love your recipes.
Look forward to your return but don’t rush.
Being kind to yourself is so healthy and a much needed part of living a healthy and sustainable life .
Taking time out for you is hard but it will provide you and the Team with a much clearer vision for the way forward .
Enjoy the freedom of doing what you prioritise finding ie the equally wonderful Assistant you dream of .
Enjoy some ‘quieter moments’ 😉with family , friends and Dozer to recharge . Resurface when your ready 🤗…. We’ll all be here 🤗
This is the ideal job for my son, Beniamino . I’m going to get him to apply. He has a degree in marketing and is a great foodie plus a lovely man with a wonderful wife and 2 kids and lives in Glebe . I’ll get him to apply over the weekend
🤞🤞🤞🤞🤞
Take as much time as you need. We will be here when you’re ready.
Take care Nagi ( and Dozer), definitely need to put yourself first. You would be amazing to work for but no skill here in that department. Just loving your work. You’ve given us plenty of recipes to work with ( to last a lifetime ) .. loving your new book I got for Xmas. You’re a champ. My golden Abby looks just like Dozer, same age too. I love checking on how he’s going. Time for your 3 weeks of doggy cuddles . Cxx
Look after yourself Nagi. We can wait!
I love your wonderful spirit, but yes, you do need help. It might be helpful to think about what works in your business, and what doesn’t. Also, think about letting go of the tasks that don’t bring you joy, and then hire a part-time assistant for each area (photography, day-to-day, social media, etc.). And of course, please schedule time in your day for YOU.💖