Excerpted From
No Opportunity Wasted
By Joseph W. Walker III
Perhaps you are reading this chapter and it has struck a chord with you, because burnout is a current reality for you. I want to share with you strategies to help you resolve burnout and refuel so you can continue on the path of destiny. I’ve found these principles helpful in my own life.
Recognition. Acknowledge that you need help. You cannot allow yourself to be filled with hubris and refuse to be humble enough to seek help. We often remain burned out because our pride won’t allow us to be honest concerning our need for help.
If you cut yourself at home, you might attempt to find a band-aide that you can apply to stop the bleeding. But if you are stabbed, there is nothing in your medicine cabinet that can help. You need to call 911. By calling 911, you have acknowledged your limitation as well as the medical professionals’ ability to assist you. You will only acknowledge your need for God to assist you when you accept your inability to help yourself. There is nothing wrong with declaring you are at the end of your own resources and need divine intervention.
Rest. This is an area that I’ve struggled with for years. I could find myself lying in bed in the posture of rest but not resting. My mind would not slow down, therefore I was working while I was supposed to be sleeping. We all need to appreciate what it means to rest. Jesus thought so much of it, he declared in Matthew 11:28, “Come to me, all you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest.” You cannot burn the candle at both ends and expect to be productive. It’s completely unhealthy not to get proper rest.
Before I could properly rest, I had to realize its purpose. Rest is where I refuel. The Lord tells us in Psalm 23 to lie down in green pastures. The psalm paints a vivid picture of restoration and renewal. You can’t go and go and go and expect to operate at optimal levels. No matter how demanding your schedule, carve out time to rest. When you rest, you are completely trusting in God’s ability to sustain you and your work while your hands are not on it.
One of the most fascinating stories in the Bible is when Jesus was in the storm with the disciples. He got a pillow and went to sleep in the rear of the boat. The disciples were panicking when the storm became so fierce, but Jesus was asleep. Frightened, the disciples woke up Jesus. I imagine that they excitedly told him what he could easily observe himself. The storm was raging, and they were afraid. After a rebuke of their faithlessness, Jesus brought calm to the storm by saying, “Peace be still.” The fact that he was asleep during the storm is a lesson for all us concerning the power of rest. If your faith is awake, you can go to sleep.
Restoration. As you pour yourself out for the benefit of others, allow yourself to be poured into. David says in Psalm 23 that “He restores my soul.” Personal retreats are a necessity. My speaking and preaching schedule involves eight weekly services at my church, an average of two weekly speaking engagements around the world, a Tuesday morning prayer call where I present a devotional message and a daily Periscope.
In the midst of this rigorous speaking schedule, my family obligations and staff, board and other meetings consume a great deal of my time. Consequently, I have to be strategic about providing for rest and restoration in my schedule. I plan two to three days a month to get away from the hustle and bustle and allow my mind, body and spirit to be poured into. I have a friend with a similar schedule who takes one day a week, one week a month and one month a year away.
With the demands of my life, it would be impossible to produce results without restoration. I have found it helpful to go to the beach or to the mountains and just be still. I disconnect from social media, my laptop and all work-related things and allow God to fill my spirit again.
I admit, though, that I have not been completely faithful in this area. When I meet with my team concerning my schedule, we often are scrambling to find the available days for me to get away. What I am learning is that you have to schedule those days for restoration, so when requests emerge, you are unavailable. But I have been guilty of compromising those much-needed days by filling them with events or answering invitations. Though I was blessed to be able to be a blessing to a conference or a person at their request, the personal toll was great.
Restoration is about self-care. It’s something many of us don’t do a good job of, especially those of us in the helping professions. You only have one you. Your family has only one you. Make you a priority. Going to the spa, sitting in the park, lying on a beach or riding a trail can be rewarding. When we take care of ourselves, we are in a better position to pour out to others.
I was at a party and saw a pitcher being used to pour punch. Though it was aesthetically beautiful, it had a functional flaw. It had a small crack at the base. Though it was pouring out into smaller cups, much of the punch leaked onto the table and was wasted. I thought about how many of us look the part but don’t recognize the small cracks in our lives that prevent us from giving maximum output. This is why things are such a mess. Take time to step away from it all, and allow yourself to be poured into. The mentor needs to be mentored. The teacher needs to be taught. The pastor needs a pastor. The supporter needs support.
Regeneration. You can start fresh again. When you have been regenerated, new ideas, visions and concepts begin to emerge. Your creativity is recharged, and you are able to operate at full throttle. Regeneration positions you to remain relevant. Your vision doesn’t get stale. I have received some of the most awesome and innovative ideas during times of retreat. Whether attending a conference listening to cutting-edge thinkers or meditating alone with God, I’ve been able to absorb ideas that helped take my vision to the next level.
The thing you are attempting to accomplish needs you to be at an optimal level of performance. The world is constantly changing, and the need for what you have to offer must adapt to meet those changes. When you are regenerated, you are ready to take on the world. You are ready to execute with intentionality, focus and energy.
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