Running on Empty: How to Refuel When Burnout Strikes

Burnout — every purpose-driven professional’s nightmare — has once vibrant employees feeling mentally drained, emotionally distant, and even physically exhausted. With 65% of employees experiencing burnout in 2023 according to insolved’s 2024 HR Trends Survey, those working in nonprofit and church sectors need to armor up against exhaustion if they want their mission to thrive.  

Whether you’re juggling too many responsibilities or feeling uninspired by repetitive tasks, burnout can sneak up and leave you feeling empty by the time you realize it’s an issue. The good news is, there are ways to recover and reclaim your zeal.

1. Recognize the Signs

The first step to refueling is acknowledging the effects of burnout. If you’re constantly tired, losing interest in things you once enjoyed, or feeling ineffective, it’s time to evaluate. Working in a mission field, you’ll likely notice a decrease in motivation. If you’ve lost the inherent motivation to work usually associated with nonprofit and ministry work, you’re either burnt out, or you never had mission alignment to begin with. 

2. Find Rest and Form Boundaries

Don’t underestimate the power of rest. Ministry and nonprofit work carry a significant emotional and personal toll, with each goal tied to high pressure and deep personal investment. Start pursuing rest by setting clear boundaries around work and personal time. Upon reflecting, you may realize that those lines have slowly gotten blurred, leaving you little room to prioritize your personal life. Pencil in daily rest by unplugging from devices an hour before bed, or setting “no work” hours each day to give your mind and body a break. If available, consider a sabbatical to pursue restoration that will leave you refueled and ready to reinvest in your ministry role.

3. Reconnect with your Purpose

Redefine why you do what you do. This is your ultimate goal in recovering from burnout. Consider what you need in order to re-ground yourself in that purpose. Is this just a hurdle you need to overcome to come back stronger, or do you need to pivot and pursue this mission through a new job?

4. Break Tasks into Small Pieces

You may get overwhelmed easily if you are facing burnout, so break tasks into manageable pieces to experience small wins every day. Focus on completing one to three small goals each day, and celebrate those successes—no matter how small. This may help you to see your impact and progress during a time when you have lost sight of the value of your work.

5. Seek Support

Don’t hesitate to reach out for help. Talk openly with friends and family, career consultants, or a mental health professional, or a combination of them all depending on your needs.  Even discussing your feelings with a supportive coworker can provide relief and guidance. It’s OK to acknowledge that you need help to get where you want to be. For professional advising in making the change you need to take control of your career, consider partnering with a Vanderbloemen Executive Consultant through VanderCoaching. Get the help you need to move forward.

You need to know burnout is temporary. You’re not expected to continue this way. While burnout can feel devastating in the moment, you can make intentional changes now that can help you find energy, clarity, and a renewed passion for your work. Take it one step at a time, and give yourself grace along the way. Take the route you need to rediscover the value of your work and the importance of sustainability. With time and the necessary steps, you’ll return stronger, with a deeper resilience and a renewed sense of purpose, preparing you to make a greater impact.