3 Questions to Ask When You’re Experiencing Burnout

By: Kaley Thompson

My husband and I left on a journey across the country because we were burnt out. We packed up our car and headed out for a second chance at finding passion for work and purpose in life.

We met many people along the way that made me realize that this experience of feeling extinguished is shared throughout our society. Whether we are surfers, snowbirds, hikers, parents, college kids, or homeless we all burn for something.  We have a cause we stand for.  We have a special talent for something.  There is a particular activity that we can't imagine going a day without doing.  Yet, there are times where we hit burnout and wonder why.

What do we do when we feel like we have no fuel for something we used to have passion for?  Why are we going through the motions when we used to be excited to act?

Here are 3 questions to help us find our flame again:

1. Who are you doing this for? This answer is your log, what your fire is built upon, so be genuine. If your answer is the same as when God birthed it in your heart, keep going. But if it has changed from that moment, reorient your focus.

2. Why do you have a passion to do this? This is your fire starter. What is the first thing that ever sparked your interest and is it still the thing that is driving you forward?  If it’s not, write down a few memories from the start of your work. Look back at old pictures. Note how your passion has developed and is expanding but don’t lose sight of the match that lit your first flame.

3. How are you fueling your fire?

In the same way you have to keep putting logs into a fire to keep it burning, you have to continually remember your answers to questions 1 and 2. As time goes on, you’ll need to add in different things and bigger logs. Who should come along to help you build your fire now? What friends have been placed in your life to help push you in the right direction?

It’s hard to beat a person who never gives up.” -Babe Ruth

Burnout is a hard place to be in but we don't have to quit once we get there. Take steps to building yourself back up by refocusing, restarting, and reigniting.  Be patient while you're fanning your flame and trust that, even when you don't feel like you're shining the brightest, you're still a light for the world to see.

Learn more about soul care and burnout prevention by joining us at Rescue Lab. Click here to find out more. 

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