8 Habits That Are Draining Your Energy

You know that feeling when you just can’t seem to get going? When does every little thing feel like a huge effort? When you’re so exhausted you can barely keep your eyes open? We’ve all been there, and it’s not fun.

In church revitalization work the task can seem daunting. It seems as if the energy is being sucked right out of you. Many individuals are unaware that there are certain behaviors that can deplete our energy levels and leave us feeling weary. To be at our best mental sharpness and performance, we must make sure that we are breaking and changing from destructive habits.

Protecting your energy is protecting your time. 

Time is a non-renewable resource and we only have so much of it. It has been said that more money can be made but we cannot make more time. We need to make sure that we are using our time and energy wisely and not letting bad habits steal from us what could be used for good. Know this, it took time to get to the point of needing revitalization in the church and it will take time to turn the effort around. Spend every bit of time wisely and carefully.

Have you ever attended a 30-minute meeting and left feeling drained and worn out? Or have you attended another 30-minute meeting and felt alive and energized ready to take on the next challenge? What was the difference? It's conceivable that you recall the event more clearly if it was held during normal working hours, whether with a friend or on your own. What did you talk about? Was anyone there who made you feel out of place? There are so many reasons why the experience was different. It's critical to become aware of what replenishes and depletes our energy so we may make better decisions about how to maintain our energy levels at an optimum level.

When we are leading in revitalization change, we don't want to be wasting time. We want to be efficient and effective. These eight habits can help you do just that:

1) Doing Too Much at Once

In the world of church revitalization, we are often trying to accomplish a lot with too little. We can find ourselves jumping from task to task. We take on more than we can handle because we want to see change happen quickly. The problem is that when we try to do too many things at once, we end up spreading ourselves too thin and not being able to give our best to any of them. Instead of trying to accomplish a million things at once, focus on one thing at a time and give it your all. You’ll be surprised at how much more you can get done when you focus your energy and attention on one task.

2) Not Taking Time for Yourself

In the middle of church revitalization work, it’s easy to forget to take care of yourself. We can get so caught up in trying to fix everything else that we neglect our own needs. This is a recipe for burnout. It’s important to make sure that you are taking time for yourself – to rest, recharge, and refocus. Make sure you are taking care of your own needs so that you can be at your best to take care of others.

3) Trying to Please Everyone

In church work, we often feel like we need to please everyone. When you waste energy striving to please other people when it comes from a position of always wondering and being concerned about what others think of you, you're putting yourself through unnecessary stress. We want to make sure that everyone is happy and comfortable, but this is impossible. There will always be people who are unhappy with the changes you are making, no matter how good your intentions are. Trying to please everyone will only drain your energy and leave you feeling frustrated. It’s important to focus on pleasing God first and foremost, and then let go of the need to try to please everyone else.

4) Getting Stuck in the Past

It’s easy to get caught up in what has already happened – all of the mistakes that have been made, all of the people who have left, all of the ways things used to be. But dwelling on the past will only hold you back from making progress in the present. It’s important to learn from the past, but then let it go and focus on what you can do now to make things better.

5) Negative Thinking

Negative thinking is a surefire way to drain your energy and leave you feeling defeated. When you focus on all of the negative things that could happen, you’re only setting yourself up for disappointment. Instead, focus on the positive and what you hope to achieve. Believe that good things are possible, and you’ll be surprised at what you can accomplish.

6) Comparison

In church work, it’s easy to fall into the trap of comparison. We compare our churches to other churches, our programs to other programs, and ourselves to other pastors. But comparison will only leave you feeling discouraged and inadequate. Instead of comparing, focus on what God is doing in your church and be thankful for the unique gifts and talents that He has given you.

7) Fear

Fear is a natural part of church work, but it can also be paralyzing. We can be afraid of failure, of not being good enough, of making the wrong decisions. But when we focus on our fears, we are only holding ourselves back from doing what God has called us to do. It’s important to face our fears and trust that God will give us the strength to overcome them. Regret should be used as a catalyst to motivate you to take action. Consider how your life would be different if you had made different decisions today. What will I regret if I don't do it now?

8) Not spending time alone with God.

Your alone time with God is the most important thing that you can do as a leader in church revitalization. It’s in these moments that you will be able to hear from God, receive His strength and guidance, and be renewed in your ministry. Make sure that you are taking time every day to be alone with God. This is the best way to avoid burnout and keep your energy levels up.

breaking these eight habits that drain your energy can help you lead more effectively in church revitalization. They’ll help you focus your energy, take care of yourself, and let go of the things that are holding you back. So what are you waiting for? Start creating good habits that are a part of your life today and see the difference it makes!