If you’re a researcher, journalist, HR professional or academic juggling deadlines, interviews, meetings, and a never-ending stream of admin, you’re not alone. Many in the media and research industries wear multiple hats – investigator, interviewer, editor, data wrangler, project manager… and often, transcriber too.
But here’s the uncomfortable truth: you can’t do it all. Not sustainably, anyway.
Burnout isn’t a badge of honour
There’s a strange culture of glorifying overwork, especially in research-heavy roles where productivity is often measured by output. But constantly being in ‘go mode’ can take its toll -mentally, physically, and creatively.
Burnout doesn’t always arrive dramatically. It creeps in quietly. You might notice you’re procrastinating more, struggling to focus, feeling irritable, or just plain exhausted. Tasks you once enjoyed start to feel like chores. You dread opening your inbox.
And one of the biggest culprits? Taking on too much – especially the work that doesn’t need to be done by you.
Delegation isn’t weakness – it’s smart working
There’s a huge difference between being busy and being effective. One of the most powerful shifts you can make is recognising which parts of your workload actually require your brain and expertise – and which can be outsourced or delegated.
Transcription is a perfect example. Accurate, thorough, and often time-consuming, it’s essential for most research and interview-led projects. But it’s also a task that can easily eat into your time and energy – especially if you’re already stretched thin.
Sharing the load
This is where a service like OutSec can quietly step in and make life a little easier. We’re not here to take over or complicate your workflow. We’re just a team of people who know how much of a difference it makes when someone else handles the transcription side of things – reliably, professionally, and confidentially.
Whether you’re working on a long-form interview series, podcast research, or a documentary project, we help by lightening the load behind the scenes. So you can focus on what really matters – the work only you can do.
Give yourself permission
If no one’s told you lately: it’s okay to ask for help. It’s okay to set boundaries. It’s okay to say “I can’t take that on right now” – and it’s definitely okay to delegate the parts of your workload that don’t require your unique skillset.
Your wellbeing is just as important as your output. And with the right support, you can create space not just to meet deadlines, but to breathe a little, think a little, and maybe even enjoy the work again.
Try OutSec With 15 Minutes of Free Transcription – Our Easter 2025 Special*
We’re offering new clients 15 minutes of transcription absolutely free as part of our Easter special.
There’s no commitment – just a chance to see how much easier your working day becomes with OutSec on your team.
Whatever you are working on, we’re here to help you work more effectively, and reclaim your time.
Contact us and get started today – your first 15 minutes are on us.
OutSec. You record it, we type it.
*T’s & C’s apply – offer ends at midnight 30 April 2025. Available to new clients only.
