How to Avoid Burnout Achieving Life-Giving Work and Ministry

A gift book for anyone who is overworked and overwhelmed

Overwork is not the cause of burnout. There are individuals filled with zeal who are constantly busy and yet are not burned out. Burnout results from unrealistic expectations. Many good people have absorbed an inordinate amount of these in the course of their life, usually formed by their families, their religious upbringing, and their culture. They develop a drive to fulfill unrealistic or even unattainable expectations of themselves, even when this results in a lack of psychological, emotional, physical, and even spiritual self-care. USA Today reported over a decade ago that 39% of those in the workplace or ministry reported they were too busy to take care of themselves as well as they should. That number would almost certainly be much higher today.

Burnout is characterized by an almost excessive or exclusive commitment to work or ministry, accompanied by a collection of internal, unrealistic habits that lead an individual to unhealthy and counter-productive behavior. This is especially true when expectations of success or performance is tied to a sense of personal worth or self-esteem. Such behavior results in a one-dimensional person who rarely, if ever, takes take time for self. These individuals are so consumed with “doing” that they neglect to take time to relax, read a book, attend the theater, socialize with friends, enjoy the beauty of nature, etc.

This new “self-help” book is aimed at those who are burned out themselves or working with others who are in danger of doing so. It is written by two experts in helping people avoid burnout who have done over 300 workshops—separately and together—in both ministry and workplace settings on six continents.

The following topics about burnout are covered:

• Compassion
• Loss
• Anger
• Forgiveness
• Spirituality of Failure
• Gifts
• Integrity
• Self-Esteem
• Community

Included are four-color abstract drawings by the Chicago artist Isz that capture the imagination and conjure solutions in the continuing human effort to do good while avoiding burnout.

“Society and culture often militate against individuals who are filled with life, joy, and hope—especially in the workplace or ministry. Sometimes there is even resistance to compassionate people who attempt to assist others in growing in these attitudes. We, the authors of this little book, know this firsthand. But we also know how to overcome that resistance.”