Burnout is an emotional and, at times, physical response to workplace stress. You can refer to our article, “Three Warning Signs of Burnout,” to learn more. An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. Here are x tips that may help you avoid burnout.
1. Manage Your Capacity & Boundaries
Everyone has limits, but some are not good at accessing their limits. This is especially true of high-capacity people. High capacity does not mean unlimited capacity. Nobody has a limitless capacity, so if people do not know their limits, they are probably overextending themselves. One of the consequences of overextending oneself is burnout.
Those with an overly active need to please others tend to overextend themselves as well. This over-activity stems from their desire to say “Yes” to every request. Conversely, they find it almost impossible to say “No” because they do not want to disappoint others.
Everyone needs to set boundaries. Without boundaries, you are a sitting duck for burnout. Determining one’s boundaries is an art, not a science. A good set of boundaries blends one’s values, capacity, priorities, and season of life. Boundaries should be reassessed at regular intervals because life and the demands of life are not static.
2. Practice Rest, not Just Recovery
Everything and everyone has a limit. Vehicles have a range before they need to be refueled. The greatest athletes need to rest, and the greatest minds need to rest. When individuals experience burnout, they fall into the trap of recovery rather than rest. Recovery happens when a person garners just enough energy to keep moving. Recovery gets a person by until they are forced to recover again. It is common for these individuals to experience breakdowns in their body like sickness, even disease.
Rest is quite different from recovery because rest restores. It is more than a good night’s sleep. Rest includes being restful while one is awake. Jesus said the Sabbath was given for man. Rest is a gift from God that renews not only one’s body but their soul and spirit as well. Good rest will result in fresh virtue, creativity, and optimism.
Learning to rest is an art. It involves more than taking a day off just to replace work with other activities. Rest is something one learns to enter, enjoy, and experience God. The Prophet Isaiah says that we can call the Sabbath a delight. That is when one knows they are resting well, when rest is a delight. Some feel, for whatever reason, that they cannot afford to rest. In reality, we cannot afford not to rest.
3. Pay Attention to Life’s Challenges
Every person on the planet experiences hardship. Unfortunately, hardship does not set an appointment, and it never shows up at a convenient time. Many people find it necessary just to keep moving forward after a difficult life event, ignoring the practical and emotional toll of hardship. The consequences of not tending to the aftermath are often detrimental and sometimes catastrophic. David the Psalmist said, “A crushed spirit who can bear?”
It is important to work through the challenges life presents. It is vital to grieve the loss of a loved one, work through the pain of a broken relationship, or process a traumatic event. Thankfully, we are not alone. The Psalmist shared this promise, “The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.” God has provided his good presence to the broken. The Lord has also provided friends, mentors, Pastors, and professional counselors who can help with the journey to wholeness.
- Prioritize What Matters Most
It is easy for priorities to get out of alignment. For most, misalignments are unintentional. The demands of ministry are relentless. Saying “Yes” a few too many times, and viola, one’s priorities are out of wack. The only one who can assess and set your priorities… is you. It is wise to involve a spouse or family member; they may see some blind spots.
Believers generally agree that one’s priorities should be first God, then family, then ministry, and everything else follows afterward. The work of ministry is typically calendar and project-based. There always seems to be a reason for extra busyness or a push, and that becomes the norm. This is when ministry priorities often leapfrog family and sometimes even God!
Everyone in ministry should expect busy times that require a push. Ultimately, it is the individual’s responsibility to keep the priorities of God and family in their rightful place. The Lord has not called anyone into ministry at the expense of their relationship with him or their family.
