Writing and Coaching Blog

When the Going Gets Tough, the Tough Get Burned Out

7/26/2013

What IS Burnout or Compassion Fatigue?

Are high-profile, well-paid, leaders who feel intense pressure to stay tough and produce that causes them to work too late and too hard the only ones who experience burnout?
No.
Any capable, conscientious, caring individual is susceptible. Consider this description. Burnout is a form of stress and emotional weariness and frustration that surfaces when a combination of events in a relationship, ministry, way of life, or job fails to produce an expected result.
Sometimes burnout shows up as "Compassion Fatigue." Read my blog post titled "Are You Burning Out?" to take a short, easy awareness questionnaire to help you determine if you are headed into burnout.

How would you define burnout? After posting this question on Facebook, I received several insightful responses including:

When my effort on a project or mission far exceeds the reward whether intrinsic or otherwise.
To wear myself out by excessively striving to reach some unrealistic expectation imposed by myself or by the values of others.
Being tired where my hopes and dreams live.

________________________
There are no overnight solutions to the burnout dilemma. Yet the initial step to becoming mentally, emotionally, spiritually and physically strong again is to accept responsibility for one’s own life and health. Accepting responsibility means making decisions to reverse self-destructive thoughts and actions.

Usually the mere thought of doing something can cause a burnout victim to cringe. Over-doing is what propelled her (or him!) to this predicament.

However the smile-able reality is that this "doing" is not in the name of success, accomplishment, or service.

This "doing" is to regain life. (Yes, this picture of me in a smiley face shirt is a little ridiculous, but I hope it makes you smile and remember that there's life after burnout.)

For help in recognizing where you fit on the burnout-continuum, check out next week's blog post “Stop Living Like You’re on Fire.”

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Are You Burning Out?

7/18/2013

29 Comments

Maybe It's Compassion Fatigue

“I’m so tired. People keep telling me I should slow down. But there's just so much to do, I can’t seem to figure out a way to do it. I forgot another appointment this morning. It’s embarrassing. I just can’t get myself in gear. To tell you the truth, I really don’t care much about the things that I care about anymore.”

These are the words of a person on the burnout fast-track. Yet an admission like this doesn’t only come from the lips of someone who continually stays too long working at the office. Burnout (or compassion fatigue) happens to ministry leaders, conscientious college students, service-related workers, volunteers, caring spouses and parents, as well as executives. Perhaps it’s happening to you or someone you love.

Awareness is an important step out of this joy-robbing dilemma. The following questions can help you assess your situation:
Do you sometimes feel a little or a lot depressed?
Are you grouchier than you used to be?
Do you have a tough time relaxing?
Do you hurry even when your circumstances don’t warrant it?
Are you exhausted on a regular basis?
Do you hustle from project to project without taking time to celebrate or enjoy your success?
Are you angry/resentful and can’t figure out why?
Do you spend less time with friends and family—or just having fun?
Do you work harder and longer, but achieve less?
Is life becoming a chore?
If you answered yes to several of these questions in the left column, you may be playing with fire. Yet you can make new choices that will help you recover fun, balance, and energy.

Taking this simple questionnaire and admitting your need to yourself, a safe friend and God is a courageous first step. For greater clarity in your process of recovery from compassion fatigue, watch for next week's blog post “When the Going Gets Tough, the Tough Get Burned Out.”

Have you ever experienced any of the above symptoms of "compassion fatigue"? For an opportunity to WIN an autographed copy of my book, The Relief of Imperfection, please leave a comment (even "I'd like the book!" will do.) on this blog and your name will be entered in the July 26, 2013 drawing.

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Invitation to JUST PRESS PAUSE

7/16/2013

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LIFT's Summer Refresher
Friday, August 2, 2013

When
Friday August 2, 2013
9:00 AM to 1:00 PM MST
Cost includes lunch:
$10 Members $20 Non-Members
Where
La Casa de Cristo
Fellowship Hall
6300 E. Bell Road
Scottsdale, AZ 85254
To REGISTER click here!
or call 602-810-1623

Message from Lift Director

Sometimes we carry burdens we were never meant to carry. That's why I'm thrilled to have Joan C. Webb come for our August Summer Refresher event title Just Press Pause.

As Joan so aptly states:

"As dedicated, gifted, and caring Christian women we try hard to assure that our relationships, goals, faith, and ministries are "just right"-and it's so disappointing when they aren't. There is so much to do to further God's Kingdom work and we want to join Him. So we try harder and just get bone-tired. Sometimes that deep weariness is from carrying burdens that aren't ours to carry. Maybe if you're like me, you long to know what you can do to release yourself from that heavy weight. Let's come "Just Press Pause" to relax with Christ and one another, and trade our exhausting expectations for imperfect joy."

I can't wait to see you there!
Smiling in Christ,

Pam Lyons
Director of LIFT

Need a Little Break?

I want to personally invite you to a Mini-Retreat for Women's Ministry Leaders, Teams and Volunteers where I'll be sharing on Friday, August 2. I've noticed that many of us (and I'm including myself!) are experiencing "compassion fatigue" these days.

Are you craving relief -- as well as some practical ways to avoid the heaviness of "compassion fatigue"? If so, please join us as we accept Jesus' offer to "Come to me. Get away with me and you’ll recover your life. I’ll show you how to take a real rest. I won’t lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you’ll learn to live freely and lightly.” Matt. 11:28-30 MSG

Want to Join Us?

Great! For the answers to your questions about registering:

Check out the information on left column.
Go to the LIFT website by clicking here.
If you have additional questions, send me message by clicking here.

Looking forward to seeing you on August 2! Remember, Life doesn't have to be perfect to be wonderful and rewarding! Neither do our ministries or relationships!

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Joan's BLOG

When the Going Gets Tough, the Tough Get Burned Out

What IS Burnout or Compassion Fatigue?

Are You Burning Out?

Maybe It's Compassion Fatigue

Invitation to JUST PRESS PAUSE

LIFT's Summer Refresher
Friday, August 2, 2013

When
Friday August 2, 2013
9:00 AM to 1:00 PM MST
Cost includes lunch:
$10 Members $20 Non-Members
Where
La Casa de Cristo
Fellowship Hall
6300 E. Bell Road
Scottsdale, AZ 85254
To REGISTER click here!
or call 602-810-1623

Message from Lift Director

Need a Little Break?

Want to Join Us?

Joan C. Webb

INTERACT WITH JOAN

FREE RESOURCES

LIFE COACHING

THE INTENTIONAL WOMEN

Joan's BLOG

When the Going Gets Tough, the Tough Get Burned Out

What IS Burnout or Compassion Fatigue?

Are You Burning Out?

Maybe It's Compassion Fatigue

Invitation to JUST PRESS PAUSE

LIFT's Summer RefresherFriday, August 2, 2013

WhenFriday August 2, 2013 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM MSTCost includes lunch: $10 Members $20 Non-MembersWhereLa Casa de CristoFellowship Hall 6300 E. Bell RoadScottsdale, AZ 85254To REGISTER click here! or call 602-810-1623

Message from Lift Director

Need a Little Break?

Want to Join Us?

Joan C. Webb

INTERACT WITH JOAN

FREE RESOURCES

LIFE COACHING

THE INTENTIONAL WOMEN

LIFT's Summer Refresher
Friday, August 2, 2013

When
Friday August 2, 2013
9:00 AM to 1:00 PM MST
Cost includes lunch:
$10 Members $20 Non-Members
Where
La Casa de Cristo
Fellowship Hall
6300 E. Bell Road
Scottsdale, AZ 85254
To REGISTER click here!
or call 602-810-1623