Dealing with Burnout

We all have moments of "burnout." A time when what ever project we are working on becomes more work then enjoyment. That moment when we stop and ask ourselves "Why am I doing this?" This is usually followed by hitting one's head against the wall. After all, we all know that head banging improves our I.Q. giving us the clarity and focus we need to proceed.

Doesn't it?

I had a burnout moment not too long ago. It was related directly to the convention. I have a love/hate relationship with the convention. The fact is it is a LOT of work to plan. There are a LOT of details to be taken care of and details have never been my strong suit.

I was worrying about the number of preregistration we had received. All week I had been talking with workshop instructors regarding the number of students they needed to prepare for. The truth is I was making up the numbers. I HAD NO CLUE!

The worry had reached the point where my stomach was starting to hurt. That is when Londa Harpster called. She had the same question that all the other workshop vendors were asking. "How many attendees should I expect in my workshop?"

I am ashamed to say I lost it. Instead of putting on a bright happy smile and reporting as positive of an outlook as I could I confessed my fear and worry. Londa, was very kind as she listened to me. We said our good-byes and I hung up the phone.

I sat on my bed and wanted to hit my head against the wall. I had just talked to our KEYNOTE speaker and told her that no one was coming to the convention. ARGH! Is there a do over button? Can I go back in time and replay that phone call?

About fifteen minutes latter the phone rang. I saw on my caller I.D. that it was Londa. "oh...no... She's calling to say she isn't coming, I just scared off our Keynote Speaker" The wave of nausea swept my body as I contemplated not answering the phone.

"Hello" my voice sounded like a shaky leaf

"Mrs. March, This is Londa, I just wanted to call you back and let you know that my family and I just stopped and prayed about your convention. While we were praying I really felt like The Lord laid it on my hear to tell you that THE LABOR IS NOT IN VAIN that it doesn't matter how many people show up for the convention it matters how we reach those people who do show up. We will be praying that God will send the right people. The people who need to hear this message."

For the next three days, those words kept me going. Over and over in my head and in my heart I kept saying "The Labor Is Not In Vain" On Friday afternoon when I had two workshop teachers representing five classes between them cancel I kept saying "The Labor Is Not In Vain." We got even better classes! We had more attendees this year then last year!

The convention is a time of seed sowing. It will take time to see how those seeds grow. Parents will look at a curriculum and they may not buy that day, they will ponder it, but many will go back and order the curriculum before September. Kids had an opportunity to experience art, karate, geology, cooking, and many, many other activities. None of those kids will be an expert in any of those fields tomorrow, but ten to twenty years from now, who knows?

When you are experiencing burn out, after you have finished hitting your head against the wall, take a moment and reflect what are your goals? Burn out is a result of looking at the here and now. Looking for immediate gratification for our effort. Your goals should be long term. You are not seeing the crop because the seeds you are working so hard to plant haven't even had a chance to sprout yet.

We are so lucky that we have fellow laborers like I had Londa that day, who come along and remind us, THE LABOR IS NOT IN VAIN.