AntiBurnout; a Lighter Way to Live and Lead

The fire crackled in my back yard on a chilly Colorado night. Ministry, business and civic leaders mingled with drinks and tacos in their hand. If you watched this gathering unfolding from a drone you might imagine egos and embellished stories. But the exact opposite was true. True connection, curiosity and humility were as palpable as the smoke rising from the fire.  

I’m burdened by the burnout epidemic we’re experiencing. I serve as a Leadership Coach and Sabbatical Coach, so I get a deep vantage into leaders lives. Burnout is coming for leaders across industries to don’t resist it. This is a heavy time, and we must find a lighter way to live and lead. 

“Emptier than empty. Freezer burn. Full, yet completely empty. Depleted mentally and emotionally. Ice skating uphill. Numb.”

The best definition I’ve heard for burnout is from a researcher who calls it “Voluntary self-exploitation”. Perhaps the most helpful burnout definition for ministry leaders is this; “A syndrome of emotional exhaustion and cynicism that occurs in individuals who do ‘people work’ of some kind”. I asked a group of friends who have experienced burnout,“What did it feel like?” Emptier than empty. Freezer burn. Full, yet completely empty. Depleted mentally and emotionally. Ice skating uphill. Numb. 

How do we know we’re in danger of burnout? Dr. Wes Beavis describes the burnout risk zone using the following equation: dealing with people + being responsible for favorable outcomes = Burnout Risk Zone. This puts every pastor and spiritual entrepreneur squarely in the risk zone. 

Burnout is a complex issue, but If we live in a state of fatigue for too long burnout can trigger massive impacts like debilitating health issues, adrenal fatigue or moral crashes, but it has smaller effects that are equally concerning.

It wears down physical health, zapping energy, optimism and engagement.   

It impacts families when parents are grumpy or distant. 

It creates disengagement for teams when leaders are worn down.

It impacts decisions leading to “decision fatigue”, procrastination or avoidance.

It deflates creativity in preaching and clarity of vision.  

It stunts compassion limiting the capacity for pastoral care. 

Bottom line; we have to uncover a lighter way to live and lead. I’m crazy enough to believe this lighter load Jesus spoke of is possible. For you, for me, for the CEO and the planter. 

These are challenging days. Spiritual leaders are wrestling with division, cultural backlash, cynicism, isolation, mental health and a speed dial turned up to eleven. Planters and pastors are burdened by the loneliness epidemic and they’re feeling it, too. I see this up close as a coach and a friend to many pastors, planters and spiritual entrepreneurs.

“This is a moment of confluence.”

This is a moment of confluence. The tide is turning. Ministry leaders are taking their relational, emotional and mental health more seriously. I have great hope as I watch safe gatherings of ministry leaders popping up across the country, leaders trading competition for collaboration, the rise of networks (like The Equipping Group) who are resourcing ministry leaders and greater focus on impacting cities together. Isolation is a killer! 

From time to energy

Reversing the burnout cycle will require us to change how we think about time and energy. The currency of leadership is energy, not time. One of the greatest shifts a ministry leader can make is focusing more on their energy than their time. Spenders work for money, but investors make their money work for them. Investing energy works the same way. The leaders who invest their energy know when and where their energy brings the best returns. Financial investors focus on R.O.I. (return on investment), but leaders must focus on R.O.E. (return on energy). What is the highest R.O.E. for you? The most effective leaders develop rhythms that work with the grain of their energy, not against it.

In his book A Life Worth Living philosopher and theologian Miroslav Volf asks the arresting question, “What is worth wanting?” Before we can lead healthy we must prioritize what is worthy of our best attention. Just because someone else is doing it or “it’s working” doesn’t mean it’s worthy of your best energy. 

How can we bypass burnout?

“Burnout IS avoidable.”

Burnout IS avoidable. I get the joy of watching leaders make shifts that create freedom and space in their lives so they can continue leading for the long haul. Here are some practical changes you can make. 

Shift your mindset. If you believe you MUST stretch the limits of your time, energy and schedule you will continue stretching. Accepting our limits goes against our culture, but is freeing. 

Actively cultivate friendships. It’s crucial to be around people who don’t need you. If you’re going to stay healthy and lead well you need friends. Real friends. 

Develop teams to share the load. We must lean into team leadership if we are going to lighten the load on point leaders and invite people into the adventure of mission. 

Invite professionals to serve you in the niches. I’m a huge fan of ministry leaders seeking help for their mental health, leadership and specific competencies. The best leaders in any field have help honing their skills. You should, too.  

Engage or re-engage hobbies. Many ministry leaders feel guilty playing, but the right hobbies keep our mind off work, allowing us to get away from our devices, replenish our energy and create space to hear from God.

Dial in your weekly rhythm. There are incredible tools available to help you develop a rule of life, but for some ministry leaders a weekly rhythm feels more approachable. I’m observing leaders practicing sabbath more intently than they did in the past and settling into sustainable rhythms. 

The great irony of burnout is we often don’t see it coming. It comes in stealth mode often appearing as a lot of good things we should do. Don’t wait until you’re concerned about your health, disengaged from your family or resentful toward those you serve to make a change. Wise leaders leverage rest and momentum, honoring God’s intention for both hard work and replenishing rest. You may not get comments about your schedule or rhythms, but you are shaping those around you as they watch how you lead.