Posted by Steve Andrews on 25 May 2011 | 0 Comments

Tags: Christian CEO, Christian Business Group, Christian CEO Group, Burnout, Discouragement, Steve Andrews

Virtually everyone experiences burnout at some point in our life. Burnout can happen at any time, and it often sneaks up on us with little warning. Burnout is a feeling of hopelessness, discouragement, sadness, and physical exhaustion. It's a very distinct feeling, and it is very unpleasant. In order to combat it, we must return to our spiritual roots, and rediscover the path that God has set for us.

Burnout Is Common Amongst Christian CEOs

As a Christian business group, we often see our members struggle with burnout. In fact, it's more common among a Christian CEO group because we as Christians are often more sensitive to the suffering of others. We try to take the world on our shoulders, and we end up much too invested in the problems of others. When this happens, we experience burnout because we are trying to do too much. We must remind ourselves that we are not equipped to take on the problems of others; that only God is sovereign, and we cannot carry the weight of the world.

What Causes Burnout In A Christian CEO?

The cause of burnout is always the same, no matter the specifics of your situation. Burnout happens when you lose touch with God's will. This may not necessarily mean that you are "doing" the wrong thing, but perhaps your efforts are fueled by the wrong motive, attitude, or by your own strength. When you stray from the path that He has planned for you, He will try to guide you back onto it. This guidance is in the form of the unhappiness of burnout, a gentle push to get the Christian CEO back onto the right path. The longer and further we stray from that path, the stronger the Holy Spirit within us must push us to move us back toward our destiny. The result is an increasing feeling of burnout.

How To Tell If You Are Burned Out

Our Christian CEO group often self-examines to determine whether any of us are suffering from burnout. As a Christian business group, we meet to discuss how we are doing at following God's plan and living a Christian life, allowing us to catch burnout early. Once we catch it, we encourage every Christian CEO to follow this four-step antidote to help relieve burnout and enable you to more easily follow God's path once again.

Step 1: Step Back

When you experience burnout as a Christian CEO, one of the first changes is that you start to lose perspective. Stepping back requires that you take the time to rest, and spend that time in quiet reflection and prayer. One of the best ways a Christian CEO can accomplish this is by devoting an hour in the morning to prayer and Bible study. Starting your day connected with God puts you in a better position to follow His will no matter what the rest of the day may bring. If you don't already do this, start making time for it immediately. If you do this, extend the time by 30 minutes or an hour.

Step 2: Shift Your Focus

Burnout causes you to lose track of who you really are in Christ, shifting your focus away from what is most important. In order to combat burnout, you must shift your focus back. Spend time considering who you really are. Look at what the Bible says on the subject, and ask your Greensboro Christian business group advisor for help if you need it. The most spiritually aware members of a Christian business group can help you find the answers. Get your priorities straight again, and set up a plan to accomplish them. Our Christian CEO group has found this step of the process particularly freeing - be sure not to overlook it!

Step 3: Shift Your Perspective

In this step, take time to recognize the many blessings in your life. You are focused heavily on the problems and the burnout, yet every Christian CEO has more good than bad in his or her life. By stepping back and refocusing on all the good, you will realize that the grace of God truly touches your life.

Step 4: Restart

Once you have completed the other three steps, it is time for you to return and face the world. You have reconnected with God, and reaffirmed your commitment to living your best life in Him. If you need to, take this time to confess sins and receive His forgiveness. Once you have received it, it's time to rejoin the battle!

Life as a Christian CEO is not always a smooth one. We are not defined by our behavior in times of prosperity and ease, but by our actions when times are hardest. Take heart and be inspired by the many Christian heroes that have come before us, and know that they were no more perfect than you or anyone else in your Christian business group. We need not be perfect to live in Christ; we simply need to keep fighting no matter how many times we get knocked down. Rest if you are weary, take the time to re-energize, but never quit.