How to recognize burnout and what to do next

Charles Stone April 12, 2024

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From time to time every leader and pastor and person faces burnout. The well runs dry. He or she becomes weary in well doing. He runs out of gas. She simply has nothing left to give. When we totter on the precipice of burnout, what can we do? As I've faced those times during my ministry, I've learned a few ways that have helped me dig out.

1. Recognize the symptoms

Everybody's burnout looks a bit different. Sometimes burnout comes from doing too much outwardly with over busy schedules. Sometimes burnout comes from an inner world in turmoil: worry, incessant anxiety, and fear. I suggest starting with self understanding. What does your burnout look like? Which of these factors might indicate you are burning out?

• The joy you once had seems to have disappeared. You seldom have fun anymore.
• You consistently sleep poorly.
• You feel non-localized, free floating anger in your heart.
• You catastrophize in your thinking, assuming the worst in people and life.
• You easily snap, lose your cool with friends, families, or people in the church.

2. Rest

After you recognize the symptoms, I've found that rest really helps. Whether it means taking time off, taking more breaks during your work day, getting more sleep, or trimming your schedule, the body and soul needs rest. Neuroscientists have coined a term for excessive wear and tear on our body due to prolonged stress and burnout: allostatic load. When we don't give our body and brains time to rejuvenate, we prolong our burnout and its negative effects.

3. Re-visit

Third, revisit your core values and mission. I encourage every leader to develop his or her own mission statement, their mission God has called them to achieve with His power. Most weeks when I do my strategic planning, I revisit my mission statement and personal values. If you'd like to see mine, you can click here. In this post I talk about the importance of developing your own personal values.

4. Re-orient

The final step is to re-orient your time and effort to best live out your personal mission, without burning out. I suggest taking a half day alone to reset your goals and adjust how you use your time.

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Charles Stone coaches and equips pastors and teams to effectively navigate the unique challenges ministry brings. By blending biblical principles with cutting-edge brain-based practices he helps them enhance their leadership abilities, elevate their preaching/ teaching skills, and prioritize self-care. A pastor for over 42 years, he has served as a lead pastor, associate pastor, and church planter. He published seven books, and over 300 of his articles have appeared on various Christian leadership websites. He holds four earned academic degrees, including a D.Min. and a Ph.D. Learn More »

• 6 reasons pastors and leaders need adequate sleep (by Charles Stone)
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• “Without God, we cannot. Without us, God will not.” Here’s how that leads to rest. (by Jordan Raynor)

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