My Battle With Burnout (Part 1)
- Taurus Montgomery
- Jul 17, 2019
- 2 min read
Updated: Jul 31, 2019
I haven’t posted anything in a while because I needed to post up for a while. You know, sit back, relax, chill. Those are all curse words to me. LOL.
Bu seriously, I’m sure you probably heard this line before.
“What does it profit a man to gain the whole world but lose his own soul?”
For me, I heard it this way, what does it profit a leader to save the whole world but lose his own family?
I’ve been guilty of this more times than I care to admit it. Maybe you have too? Whether you’re basketball coach, pastor, principal, parent, entrepreneur, or ministry leader. When you love what you do and you love your work, it is easy to get so caught up in it that fail to spend time with the people that mean the most to you.
Some time ago I came to the realization that I was killing myself in the process of trying to be the savior for others. Burnout is real and I’m glad I can admit that now. I knew that I needed to rest and chill. I wasn’t feeling motivated. Was tired a lot. Sleeping in a lot. It was a crazy span of months and then I finally hit a wall.
I KNEW I WAS BURNED OUT!
Through a colleague of mine, I discovered that our place of employment provides opportunities for sabbaticals—it’s a period of time off for rest and rejuvenation.
When I notified my boss and asked for a sabbatical leave, and they approved it, in my best DJ Khalid voice, I was like...
I’m already more than 3-weeks into it and have just over 4 weeks remaining.
During the rest of my sabbatical, I’ll continue spending time with my family and friends, reflecting on past experiences, enjoying the present, and planning ahead. I will also be journalling and sharing with you on this BLOG I’ve relaunched so I’m excited about it!
Make sure you look out for the next one. Just subscribe and it will come directly to your inbox.
If you are reading this, you’re likely a leader. I need you to receive this right now:
TAKE. CARE. OF. YOURSELF. SO. YOU. CAN. TAKE. CARE. OF. YOUR. FAMILY!
And maybe you need a sabbatical. Be like Nike and just do it! And do it before it becomes an emergency!
Question: What habits of self-care have you put in place to make sure you avoid burnout?
I hear you!!! A few years ago I had the opportunity to hear you speak in person (as I had taken a couple youth girls to your seminar at WI Academy), and I was intrigued with your message to spend more time in devotion. I made a goal of spending 15 minutes of time with God at the beginning of the day, for 15 days straight, and accomplished it!!! Fast forward a year, and I’m overworked in my high-octane career, I’ve sacrificed more from my marriage and family to move forward in my career - I’m a young, bright woman in a man’s world, what else am I to do, right!!!??? Well, while being devoted to my spiritual studies, another…