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!
Enjoy your break – you deserve it. I don’t want you to crash – you’re such a positive force in the world. Cross fingers you find that special assistant! ❤🌹
Can’t tell you how much I appreciated this latest post. If I lived in your neck of the world I would be banging on your door to help. I applaud you for who you are and all that you do. A deep breath and a good petting do a lot. My arms around you in support and love.
Good to hear that I won’t hear from you with a new recipe for a couple of weeks Nagi. I’ll cook recipes from your books while you are away. Please look after yourself and Dozer.😊
Take off for a month. If you feel the need to post, pull out a really old one and give us a rerun. Like the summer reruns on television. Embrace Dozer and commune with nature🤗
Nagi you deserve and should SLOW DOWN! You have brought us and our families so much joy with your wonderful recipes but the pressure you are now under is unbelievable. I have been cooking your recipes since 2017 and am still constantly finding new ones so there is definitely no rush to create more. The most important thing for me and I am sure for all of the people that appreciate and love you, is that you take care of yourself and the gorgeous Dozer. ❤️
Dear Nagi, it’s brave and wise of you to put your hand up for help. Not enough if us do that. I’d jump at the chance to try and become a part of your team, but I too have responsibilities that some time way too heavy but I wouldn’t be anywhere else than a full time carer for my Dad. Enjoy the time away and do what come naturally
More importantly Dozer will LOVE having his mamma all to himself. Be kind to yourself..🥰
Please take care of you and Dozer- the most important thing today – you’ve given so much it’s your turn now- so take all the time you need, From an older chick, it’s so important to please put yourself first, sending lots of love and hugs to u and dozer ❤️❤️❤️🥰
Nagi, please take time for yourself and your beautiful Dozer. I don’t know how you do it all. I have both your recipe books, and a lot of your other recipes printed out, so none of us are going to starve. 😄 I’m sure we would all be happier if you took more time out, as you look after us so well, we want to loom after you too! We have a fur-baby Ellie who is so gorgeous, and they deserve so much time and love too. So enjoy your time with Dozer. We are all good! xxx
Nagi, I feel your pain. I had a food business a few years back, it was my dream also. But trying to do it on my own, I became a physical and mental wreck. Unfortunately I couldn’t cope and ended up having to sell and move on but in hindsight, had I called out for help, as you are doing, maybe I could have kept going. I never got over not trying harder – with help. Part of my reason was my dog also, she was struggling with depression because I wasn’t focusing on her so much and SHE ended up on anti depressants! So you go girl, take that break, seek as much help as you actually need, focus on you, because sometimes if we push ourselves to the limit, the limit doesn’t always have positive outcomes. Take care, we are not an island xx
I wish I was 40 years younger so I could apply to be your Assistant. Lucky, lucky person who gets the position.
You take all the time you need, get an assistant, play with D, have a rest. We’ll all be here when you come back! Cheers!
Nagi, please take care of yourself. Burn out is very true and you need to get it early or you will become physically ill. Take care.
Glad to hear you are smart enough to take of yourself as well as Dozer.. Be well and stay safe.
What does “tin” mean in you name TinEats?
Been a follower for years. I can offer remote editing services. I actually sent you an email years ago but unfortunately my timing coincided with the evening of your new website launch. Bugger 🤦♀️ 😂
Love you and peace for dozer!!
Dear Nagi:
Thank you for sharing this message with us. Take break you deserve it.
Long walks on the beach, just you and Dozer. Now we have your recipe books and all your online posts you are with us every day regardless . Rest easy friend. Lucy
Take care Nagi and Dozer. It’s way too early in the year to be overloaded.
You need to take care of yourself and Dozer and hire someone a,axing to help take care of you both.
I would apply in a heartbeat of I lived on the right area!!!!
Enjoy the downtime….we don’t need those cookies anytime soon as we are waists still recovering from Christmas !
Love you both ❤️❤️❤️
Just here to say how much I enjoy your many contributions to so many lives, the number if which you will never know. Take care of yourself and Dover so you have more light share when you’re ready. ☮️💟
Take a well earned break, enjoy the rest of the summer. We’ll all be here when you return. Hats off to you Nagi.