How do you motivate others or improve the hobby?

[BHoover]

Re: The biggest roadblock to authenticity...

Again, without rehashing the entire thread. No one indicated that mainstreamers were farbs. I am not going to wrestle in a verbal tar pit with you on this.

Playing devil's advocate here, actually the comparison was made, fairly early on in the discussion.

" Everybody in this hobby, farbs and campaigners alike, ..."

Seems to be setting up a fairly distinct dichotomy.

[hireddutchcutthroat]

Re: The biggest roadblock to authenticity...

Mr Hoover

It is indeed a hobby, but I feel that our element of the hobby derives its greatest pleasure finding the perfect "Civil War moment". All we have is authenticity, education, and preservation, otherwise were are a bunch of goofballs sweating in a field wearing funny clothes...just like the SCA or Renfaire.

(I know you were playing devils advocate :wink_smil )

[BHoover]

Re: The biggest roadblock to authenticity...

(I know you were playing devils advocate :wink_smil )

And I should point out that I never said I disagree with you... :)

I suppose that's what I get for being a professional mathematician... way to nitpicky for public consumption! -vbg-

[hireddutchcutthroat]

Re: The biggest roadblock to authenticity...

And I should point out that I never said I disagree with you... :)

I suppose that's what I get for being a professional mathematician... way to nitpicky for public consumption! -vbg-

I am a Tool and Die maker(4th generation last of my breed), I figure out mathematicians all day :D

[SCTiger]

Avoiding Burnout

Comrades:

I had a intereresting conversation with another reenactor, at a mainstream event this month. Hal, (not his real name) is a progressive reenactor that is suffering from acute burn-out while coping with everything he sees at the traditional events. He enforces authenticity is his group and sets a great example. He is very frustrated with the way things are ran. He became very upset when one of the mainstream units beside him retained their gray uniforms while portraying Yankees. The result was gray clad yankees fighting gray clad Confederates in a late war situation.

I invited him to some of the c/p/h events, I believe he would enjoy our events and he would find like minded people that would appreciate his devotion to authenticity. Speaking of burn out, how do you avoid these symptoms?
Ripped from a variety of sports and work psych sites.

Avoiding Burnout

What is Burnout?

Burnout occurs where people who have previously been highly committed to a sport/hobby loses interest and motivation.

Typically it will occur in hard working, hard training, hard driven people, who become emotionally, psychologically or physically exhausted. This can occur where:

you find it difficult to say 'no' to additional commitments or responsibilities
someone has been under intense and sustained pressure for some time
a perfectionist does not delegate
someone is trying to achieve too much
someone has been giving too much emotional support for too long

Often it will express itself in a reduction in motivation, volume and quality of performance, or in dissatisfaction with or departure from the sport altogether.
Symptoms of Burnout

Burnout will normally occur slowly, over a long period of time. It may express itself physically or mentally. Symptoms of burnout are shown below:

Physical Burnout

Feelings of intense fatigue
Vulnerability to viral infection (explains a lot)
Immune breakdown

Mental Burnout

Feeling of lack of control over commitments
An incorrect belief that you are accomplishing less
A growing tendency to think negatively (like seeing late war yankees fight in gray)
Loss of a sense of purpose and energy
Increasing detachment from relationships that causes conflict and stress, adding to burn-out


Avoiding Burnout

If you are working and performing hard, then you should take great care not to burnout.

You can avoid physical burnout by keeping life fun: intense, difficult work sessions that significantly improve technique should be mixed with lighter, enjoyable sessions that use new skills to good advantage. A relatively slow build-up from off-seasons can be adopted so that your body is not put under excessive stress. You should respect feelings of intense physical fatigue and rest appropriately.

Similarly, you can avoid mental burnout by ensuring that the sport remains fun: there is a limit to your mental energy that you should respect. As you get better at a sport, people will want more and more of your time, and will rely on you more and more. It is easy for commitments to get bigger and bigger: people tend to be quite happy to consume other peoples mental resources without worrying about the consequences. You must learn to say 'No' to commitments that you do not want to take on - otherwise you will be in severe danger of burning out as you become unhappy with your situation. Involvement in sport must be fun, otherwise there is no point in doing it.
If you are in Danger of Burning Out...

If you feel that you are in danger of burning out, or are not enjoying your sport, the following points can help you correct the situation:

Re-evaluate your goals and prioritise them
Evaluate the demands placed on you and see how they fit in with your goals
Identify your ability to comfortably meet these demands.
If you are over-involved, reduce the commitments that are excessive
If people demand too much emotional energy, become more unapproachable and less sympathetic. Involve other people in a supportive role. You owe it to yourself to avoid being bled dry emotionally.
Learn stress management skills
Examine other areas in your life which are generating stress, such as work or family, and try to solve problems and reduce the stress
Get the support of your friends and family in reducing stress
Ensure that you are following a healthy lifestyle:

Get adequate sleep and rest to maintain your energy levels
Ensure that you are eating a healthy, balanced diet - a bad diet can make you ill or feel bad.
Get adequate regular aerobic exercise
Limit your caffeine and alcohol intake

Perhaps develop alternative activities such as a relaxing hobby to take your mind off problems
Acknowledge your own humanity: remember that you have a right to pleasure and a right to relaxation

Late Stages of Burn-Out

If you are in late stages of burn-out, feeling deeply demotivated and disenchanted with your sport, get help from a good psychologist.
If You Have Burned Out...

Do not worry. If you are so demotivated in your sport that for a time you do not want to continue it, then drop it for a while. If you come back later, you may find that you start to enjoy it again, and can take on only those commitments you want to.

You may, however, find that you have absolutely no interest in continuing with the sport. In this case it is best to drop it altogether. If you are the sort of person who has burned out, i.e. highly motivated and hard driving, then a complete change of direction may be appropriate - it is very likely that you will find another area in which you will excel. You will find that you are only demotivated and listless in the area in which you burned out.

The difference is that you will have already burned out once: next time you now know the signs to look for and the things to watch. You will be able to pace yourself, and control your energy much more effectively, ensuring that you operate at stress levels where you can give your optimum performance.


I feel that once I start using the word "must" in the palce of "like to" I am almost fried at that point. Luckliy I don't feel that yet. Anyone ever returned from the Land of Burnout?

:angry_smi

[ThehosGendar]

Re: Avoiding Burnout

What timing! We were going over this is PSYCH-106 today. Seriously!

[hireddutchcutthroat]

Re: Avoiding Burnout

Anyone ever returned from the Land of Burnout?

YES!

And I am feeling these signs in my "other" hobby WW2. I am really thinking it is time I get back into WBTS like I used to. The whole reason I got into WW2 was to relieve stress from WBTS issues. Not that I do not love my WW2 pards, but I am "burning out on it".

[tomarch]

Re: Avoiding Burnout

Try switching sides,theaters or branches of service. Most of what I've been doing was based on ANV, however I went to TAG last Oct. which was an AoT type event and well worth it!

Another thing I've tried is to find a nitch that you are drawn to and try to be the best you can be in it. (mine's being a working Topo Eng.a la Robt. K. Snedden)

[hireddutchcutthroat]

Re: Avoiding Burnout

Try switching sides,theaters or branches of service. Most of what I've been doing was based on ANV, however I went to TAG last Oct. which was an AoT type event and well worth it!

Another thing I've tried is to find a nitch that you are drawn to and try to be the best you can be in it. (mine's being a working Topo Eng.a la Robt. K. Snedden)

Tom

You know that I have been all sides and all periods.

What now!?

[CaptainUCSB]

Re: Avoiding Burnout

I started getting burned out badly in my last unit. Unfortunately, the politics in this hobby will get to you if the farbiness doesnt. I got burned out on trying to improve the unit and my impression and I wanted to do some other things but was being held back. Eventually when I was old enough I left and formed a new unit, and that unit is just starting to get a strong foothold...after the political adventures of California reenacting.

All of you Easterners would be amazed at the rumors "Friends" will spread about eachother out here. Its nice that they are finally stopping...sort of.

[Moonshine]

Re: Avoiding Burnout

It seems most of the people responding to this topic are from the "Left Coast" where I think burn-out will just happen (eventually) like a wildfire in Oct. When you do something long and hard enough it's bound to happen.

As Tom says, try a new approach like changing sides or impressions. Too much of a static impression gets old.

My burn-out was cured when we had a good event to attend instead of the normal "show battles". The Oakley Tactical (www.oakleytactical.com) this April and last was a relief and you could once again feel like a TRUE living historian instead of the same old, same old. This event is a FUBU.

Hope this may help.

Jim Ross

[RyanBWeddle]

Re: Avoiding Burnout

I also avoid it by steering clear as much as possible of anything remotely coming close to a 'battle' event. :sick: :sick: :sick:

I stick with NPS living histories, highly planned and selectively attended immersion events and educational events...

Oh yeah and I drink alot so that helps too to avoid burnout....

:beer_yum: :beer_yum: :beer_yum: :beer_yum: :beer_yum: :beer_yum: :beer_yum: :beer_yum: :beer_yum: :beer_yum: :beer_yum: :beer_yum: :beer_yum: :beer_yum: :beer_yum: :beer_yum: :beer_yum: :beer_yum: :beer_yum: :beer_yum: :beer_yum: :beer_yum: :beer_yum: :beer_yum: :beer_yum: :beer_yum: :beer_yum: :beer_yum: :beer_yum: :beer_yum: :beer_yum: :beer_yum:

[HOG.EYE.MAN]

Re: Avoiding Burnout

Here's a suggestion to the authentic mess or individual burn-out:

Network with other hardcore units/messes around the country. See what's going on with other groups and maybe you'll find something different to attend every now and then. (Of course your kits would have to be up to par before you even begin to think about this.) :angry_smi

[TeamsterPhil]

The $1500 Federal Soldier

I'm preparing for a talk on "How to become a reenactor" that will be given to a group of high school age youngsters. One of the handouts I am preparing is a list of the essential items you would need to obtain. Coincidentally, just a few weeks ago, I was engaged in adiscussion of the old adage the a Federal private could get outfitted with good quality gear for $1500. In composing this handout, I have discovered that this is no longer true. Buying quality goods from quality vendors, here is my list:

Sack coat - $180.00
Federal issue trousers - $180.00
forage cap - $85.00
brogans - $130.00
suspenders (optional) - $40.00
shirt - $75.00
socks - $10.00
drawers (optional) - $55.00
musket - $500.00
bayonet - $45.00
bayonet scabbard - $45.00
cartridge box w/sling - $120.00
cap box - $35.00
waist belt - $27.00
canteen -$85.00
haversack - $50.00
plate - $10.00
cup - $25.00
knife & fork - $10.00
blanket - $95.00
gum blanket - $50.00
shelter half (optional) - $95.00
knapsack (optional) - $170.00

TOTAL -- $2,117.00
without optional items -- $1,757.00

Did I miss anything? Is there something on there that shouldn't be there? I'd like to get some input before I finalize this list.

Phil Campbell

[paulcalloway]

Re: The $1500 Federal Soldier

Phil - looks like you might be right. I think you should note however ... as with anything if you shop it around you can find decent deals which will shave $20 here and #30 there. We're frequently offering Bully Buys to make it as affordable as possible. I know Daley, Hoffman, Houde and others put items up on special from time to time, so a patient and keen eye should find some deals.

Furthermore, the prices you've listed are all for brand new gear... but as the forums here show, there's a lot out there available to the "campaigner on a budget". Good gear, slightly used at fair prices. Lots of messes have gear for loan or sale as well which puts the buyer in the driver's seat, not having to purchase everything new, all at once.