In 2012, I had moved to NY to start a nonprofit to empower the church to fight human trafficking. I gave it my all and as I began to see things take shape, my friend Neal called me. “I love hearing about what you are doing. But I want to see you do it for twenty years and not just two.” Neal is the founder of The Rest Initiative, an organization focusing on equipping nonprofits and leaders with the skills to build a capacity for resilience into their lives. Little did I know that I was on a collision course with my limitations. Take it from me, burning the candle at both ends will burn you out. It’s just a matter of time.
I have seen firsthand the effects of overworking on individuals, families, and communities. As someone who has also struggled with overworking myself, I understand how difficult it can be to break free from this cycle.
Overworking is a widespread issue that affects people from all walks of life. It is often fueled by societal pressure to be productive, successful, and financially stable. Many of us are taught to believe that the more we work, the more successful we will be. However, this belief is a fallacy that leads to burnout, stress, and even physical and mental health issues.
Overworking can take many forms. It can mean working long hours without rest, taking on too many projects at once, or sacrificing personal time and relationships for work. Whatever the form, overworking always comes at a cost.
One of the most significant costs of overworking is burnout. Burnout is a state of physical and emotional exhaustion that results from chronic stress. It can lead to feelings of apathy, cynicism, and detachment, and it can make it challenging to perform even basic tasks. Burnout can also lead to depression, anxiety, and other mental health issues.
Overworking can also impact our physical health. When we work too much, we often neglect our bodies’ needs, such as sleep, exercise, and healthy food. This neglect can lead to a weakened immune system, chronic fatigue, and even chronic diseases such as diabetes and heart disease.
Moreover, overworking can strain our relationships with others. When we work too much, we have less time and energy for the people in our lives. This can lead to feelings of loneliness, isolation, and even resentment. In extreme cases, overworking can lead to divorce, family estrangement, and other relationship breakdowns.
To break free from overworking, we must learn to prioritize our well-being. This means taking care of our physical, emotional, and spiritual needs. We must also learn to set boundaries and say no when necessary. Saying no can be difficult, but it is essential for protecting our time and energy.
Sometimes the answer is not to do more faster, but to slow down and do less. The art of slowing down can feel impossible when you feel like you must always be available and accessible. But compassion for others can often begin the moment you show mercy to yourself.
To this point, Rachelle Starr joins me on my podcast, the MercyCast, for a conversation on starting by stopping. Rachelle entered a strip club at age 23 to share Christ's love. Now, fifteen years later, she is the founder and president of Scarlet Hope and author of Outrageous Obedience: answering God's Call to Shine in the Darkest Places. Her journey from burnout to resilience is a reminder that we don’t have to burn out.