Staying Sane in the Fire: Surviving Proposal Season Without Burning Out

Summer isn’t just summer for proposal professionals… it’s proposal season. And for many of us in the government contracting world, that means back-to-back deadlines, overlapping RFPs, and inboxes that feel like ticking time bombs.

In the middle of that chaos, it’s easy to lose sight of yourself. You forget to eat. You stare at a single paragraph for 45 minutes. You write “the the” and don’t even see it. The pressure is real. But burnout doesn’t have to be a foregone conclusion. Here are a few practical, sanity-saving strategies that can help you weather the proposal storm without setting yourself on fire.

Reset With the 3-2-1 Rule

This quick mental reboot works anytime, anywhere:

• Take 3 deep breaths to steady your nervous system.
• Step away for 2 quiet minutes (no screens, no phones).
• Say 1 kind thing to a teammate.

It’s a tiny investment with a big payoff in clarity and calm.

Recognize When to Walk Away

When your focus is shot and the frustration builds, stop. A 10-minute reset (take a walk, stretch, breathe) can be the difference between spinning your wheels and actually solving the problem. Stepping away is not a delay; it’s part of the process.

Keep It Light Where You Can

Humor isn’t just a mood-booster, it’s a pressure release valve. Share a meme, laugh at the absurdity of a third rewrite, or open your next meeting with a caffeine level check. You’ll be amazed how much a little levity can shift team energy.

Aim for 90%—If you Can

Proposal professionals are wired for quality. We take pride in producing clear, compelling, high-scoring content. But in high-volume cycles, trying to hit 100% perfection every time can drain your team and stall progress.

If you’re in a time crunch, aim for compliant, clear, and complete and trust your process. You can always refine further if time allows. This isn’t about lowering the bar—it’s about knowing when “90% and submitted” is better than “110% and late.”

Remember: You’re Not a Machine

It’s easy to forget, but you’re a person not just a proposal function. Eat. Move. Rest. Check in with your team—and yourself. A clear mind and steady mood are strategic assets.

If you’re a leader, your behavior sets the tone. Demonstrating balance and self-care makes it easier for your team to follow suit and avoid burnout in the process.

Proposal season will always be intense. But staying calm, connected, and intentional gives you an edge that no compliance matrix can. Keep your perspective, trust your instincts, and take care of the person behind the keyboard.

You’ve got this.

Of course, even with the best strategies in place, some seasons hit harder than others. When the volume is high, the pressure is nonstop, and you’re running at full tilt, it’s worth remembering the right partner can make a difference.

At Red Team, we provide experienced, hands-on support—extending your capacity by assembling full proposal teams, managing large-scale efforts, and bringing structure to even the most complex, fast-moving bids. Our flexible, scalable approach is designed to meet you where you are without sacrificing quality, control, or momentum. We integrate seamlessly, stepping in when demands are high and internal bandwidth is limited, adding skilled support to keep work moving, maintain quality, and help reduce the risk of burnout during your busiest stretches.

If your team is facing a demanding stretch, let’s talk about how Red Team can support your next proposal so you don’t have to carry it all alone.