Dealing With The Lows That Can Happen In Marketing.

Q. Can we maintain our energy and authenticity intact every day?

Marketing moves at the speed of culture. Staying ahead requires relentless energy, as trends shift rapidly and strategies must evolve to remain relevant in a landscape shaped by cultural change.

In this high-energy world, an unspoken expectation prevails: show up with enthusiasm, creativity and the drive to inspire, “Every Single Day.”

Yet behind the pitch powerpoint presentations and persuasive video presentations lies an often unspoken truth, “We're Only Human” and sometimes “Bad Things Happen”, there’s quite a few things in this world that will play around with our emotions that naturally ebb and flow.

So, how do we reconcile this paradox?

How do we navigate a profession that demands unwavering positivity while embracing the inevitable lows of our authentic selves?

This tension between professional expectations and personal reality creates a unique challenge for marketing professionals.

We're expected to bring energy to client meetings, spark creativity in brainstorming sessions, and maintain an optimistic outlook even when facing setbacks.  But……… what happens on those days when your internal battery is running on empty?

This article explores practical strategies for navigating those low moments while maintaining both your professional edge and personal well-being.

We'll also tackle the sometimes-taboo question: is taking a mental health day occasionally the most professional decision you can make?

Understanding the Emotional Rollercoaster in Marketing.

Marketing isn't just about crafting compelling messages, it's about embodying them.

Unlike many professions where technical expertise alone suffices, marketing demands emotional labor: the ability to manage and project specific emotions regardless of how you actually feel.

This requirement creates distinct challenges:

• High-stakes interactions that demand peak performance and energy

• Client expectations for enthusiasm and confidence in every interaction

• The pressure to constantly innovate even when creative wells run dry

• The need to stay positive in the face of campaign setbacks or critical feedback

Over time, continuously suppressing authentic emotions in favor of professional personas can lead to emotional exhaustion.

While short-term energy boosts might get you through an important client pitch, the long-term risks of burnout increase when there's a persistent disconnect between your inner state and outer presentation.

Have you ever found yourself wondering if your current emotional state might affect your ability to serve a client effectively?

Or worried that your natural energy slump might be interpreted as lack of interest? These concerns are not only common but reflect the unique psychological challenges of roles that blend technical expertise with emotional performance.

Recognizing and Validating Your Emotional Lows.

The first step toward managing low days is acknowledging their inevitability. Self-compassion begins with accepting that experiencing fluctuating energy and mood is part of being human—not a professional failure.

Common triggers for emotional lows in marketing roles include:

• Pressure to deliver increasingly impressive results

• Self-imposed perfectionism that raises the bar with each success

• Client relationships that demand emotional investment

• Blurred boundaries between personal brand and personal identity

• The creative pressure to continuously generate fresh ideas

Developing self-awareness allows you to recognize these patterns before they escalate. Simple tools like mood tracking apps, end-of-day journaling, or regular check-ins with yourself can help identify when you're entering a low period and what might be triggering it.

Recognized Strategies for Lifting Your Spirits.

Mindfulness and Cognitive Techniques.

Research consistently shows that mindfulness practices can significantly impact emotional regulation and resilience. Even brief mindfulness exercises can create space between triggering events and your response to them.

Practical approaches include:

• A five-minute meditation at your desk before important meetings

• Deep breathing exercises during transitional moments in your day

• Body scan techniques to release physical tension that accompanies stress

Cognitive behavioral techniques offer complementary tools for reframing negative thought patterns.

When you catch yourself thinking "I can't possibly be creative today" or "This client will notice I'm not at my best," pause to challenge these assumptions.

What evidence supports these thoughts? What alternative perspectives might be equally valid?

Quick journaling prompts to shift perspective:

• What went well today, despite my low energy?

• What strengths can I still bring to the table even when not feeling my best?

• How would I advise a colleague facing similar feelings?

Self-Care and Routine Adjustments.

Physical well-being forms the foundation for emotional resilience. On low days, paying extra attention to basic needs becomes even more critical:

• Sleep hygiene: Protecting your sleep schedule, especially before high-stakes presentations

• Nutrition mindfulness: Avoiding the crash that comes from stress-induced sugar or caffeine reliance

• Movement breaks: Even short walks can reset your mental state and boost endorphins

Social connections provide another powerful resource. Marketing often attracts relationship-oriented individuals who draw energy from interactions. Strategically planning brief connections with energizing colleagues or mentors can provide emotional boosts during difficult days.

Small rituals that can shift your state:

• A brief walk outside the office between meetings

• A five-minute conversation with a supportive colleague

• A moment of gratitude reflection before entering a client space

• Changing your physical environment—even moving to a different desk can refresh perspective

Professional Support and Resources.

For persistent emotional challenges, professional support offers evidence-based approaches:

• Therapy approaches like Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) provide structured techniques for managing work-related stress

• Employee Assistance Programs often include confidential counseling sessions specifically designed for workplace challenges

• Professional coaching can help identify patterns and develop personalized strategies

Professional development focused on emotional intelligence and resilience building serves a dual purpose, enhancing your marketing toolkit while providing practical stress management techniques.

To Work or Not to Work on Low Days?

Evaluating the Situation Is A Little Tricky!

“Not all low days are created equal.“

Some represent temporary dips that can be managed with the strategies above, while others might signal a need for more significant pause. Consider asking yourself:

• Can I perform my core role/responsibilities needed of me today, even though I feel as though I’m not even if not at peak performance?

• Will pushing through potentially damage client relationships or work quality?

• Is this low feeling part of a pattern that needs addressing?

• Do I have critical, time-sensitive deliverables that cannot be rescheduled?

Remember that clients and stakeholders often appreciate authentic humanity when it's presented professionally. Perfect polish can sometimes create distance, while appropriate vulnerability can strengthen relationships.

I believe the key lies in finding the balance between transparency and over-sharing.  It’s either you don’t say enough to justify an action or you say way too much to try and explain an action, it’s not an easy path to walk, especially when you’re not in your best possible mental space.

When a Mental Health Day Might Be Beneficial.

Sometimes, the most professional decision is recognizing when you need a day to reset. So, maybe we should consider a mental health day when experiencing:

• Persistent negative thought patterns that interfere with work quality

• Physical symptoms of stress that impact your presence

• Difficulty concentrating on essential tasks

• Emotional reactivity that might damage professional relationships

When communicating the need for time off, focus on responsible messaging. Rather than detailed explanations about your mental state, simple phrases like "I need to take a personal day to ensure I can bring my best to our upcoming projects" maintain both boundaries and professionalism.

To balance personal needs with professional responsibilities:

• Proactively delegate critical tasks when possible

• Schedule important client interactions for your historically stronger days

• Create contingency plans for unexpected low periods during high-stakes weeks

• Build a support network of colleagues who can step in when needed

Preparing for Client Interactions When Feeling Low.

Sometimes schedules don't allow for flexibility, and you'll need to engage with clients despite not feeling your best. Strategic preparation can make these interactions successful:

Pre-meeting rituals to boost your state:

• Review past positive client feedback to remind yourself of your capabilities

• Use power posing techniques to physiologically change your energy level

• Script and practice opening lines to create momentum

• Visualize a successful interaction with specific details

Finding authentic engagement: There's a middle ground between forced enthusiasm and complete transparency.

Focus on genuine curiosity about client needs and active listening—both require less performative energy than continuously projecting enthusiasm.

Have backup plans:

• Bring a colleague who complements your energy when possible

• Structure meetings to play to your strengths even on low days

• Build in breaks during longer sessions to recharge

• Prepare concise talking points to maintain focus when concentration wavers

Conclusion: Embrace the Balance Between Highs and Lows.

I always think of this saying, life is a paradox and good and bad exists equally in our lives and there’s just no getting around that.  So we might has well equally accept the bad as we do the good.  Don’t beat ourselves up because we occasionally feel as though we’re feeling a bit off.

Marketing excellence doesn't come from pretending you never experience lows—it comes from developing the resilience to navigate the full spectrum of human experience while staying committed to professional standards.

By acknowledging your emotional fluctuations, implementing targeted strategies for managing low periods, and making thoughtful decisions about when to push through versus when to pause, you create sustainable success that honors both your humanity and your professional aspirations.

The most compelling marketers aren't those who never experience doubt, fatigue, or creative blocks—they're the ones who develop personalized systems for managing these inevitable challenges while continuing to deliver value.

As you experiment with the approaches outlined in this article, pay attention to what works for your unique temperament and circumstances, gradually building your own resilience toolkit.

Remember: your marketing career is a marathon, not a sprint.

Sustainable success comes from integrating authenticity with professional responsibility, embracing the reality that true connection with clients often emerges not from perpetual perfection, but from genuine presence, even during challenging times.

There's no silver bullet with this stuff, a fair amount of trial and error is more likely the case but eventually each person will work out the best way to manage their own personal rollercoaster ride we call our working life.