Cynicism, copy-paste drift, and inbox dread. Recovery is operational — not motivational posters.
Signals I watch in myself
- Contempt for recipients — when everyone becomes “leads.”
- Rising send volume, falling quality — the spiral.
- Avoiding the tracker — because it tells the truth.
What actually helps
Smaller lists, longer breaks, and a hard reset of the ICP — not another productivity hack. If the work feels gross, the system is broken.
Boundaries
Outreach isn’t a virtue test. I’m allowed to pause, reduce channels, or ask for help — before I send messages I’d be ashamed to read aloud.