5 Strategies to Prevent Burnout and Empower Yourself for Recovery – Part 2
#2 Learn Your Personal Limits
I’m absolutely sick of the hard-work comparisons.
Several years ago in an interview, Will Smith bragged that he would “Die on a treadmill.” He used this metaphor to explain that no one in Hollywood would ever outwork him.
If some people can be workaholics without crashing and burning, fine.
I guess.
Just because one person has a certain endurance level, does not mean others do. It was said of George Washington that he was absolutely indefatigable. His ability to not get tired was a wonder.
This did not mean that every other military man had the same endurance threshold.
Wired By God
We are all wired by God with certain limitations. They are not an indictment of our character, it’s confirmation that we’re human. What we are wired to be is incomplete.
We don’t have all the talent, knowledge, or energy that is needed to fulfill our calling within ourselves alone.
We need God.
Therefore, clearly define your limitations based on your unique makeup, not on someone else’s. No matter how successful they are.
Because when we do, something amazing happens. God’s power takes over where ours runs out.
But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.
2 Corinthians 12:9
- What is pressuring you to blow past your personal limits?
- What changes can you make to operate within your limits?
- What would your life look like a year from now if you committed to embracing the limits God has placed upon you?
I would love to hear from you in the comments section below. In the meantime, be on the lookout for Part #3 Get Out Ahead of Your Crash next week.
Here is the link to Part #1 Mind Your Feels in case you missed it.
This is difficult concept to grab at midlife because we are used to pushing ourselves physically (athletics or exercise) and career wise. So it almost feels like being lazy to not. How do you find that balance?
Have you experienced Gods power taking over where yours has run out?
Good point, Tony. Midlife is also a stage in life where our lives have become more complex – kids, jobs, career promotions.
Copy and paste self-help advice become obsolete.
So what I’m suggesting about limits is complicated for sure.
But the principle stands.
We are created with inherent limits.
And yes, when we recognize it, and earnestly seek completeness through Christ, His sufficient grace makes us more than enough.
I think our age limits us to what we can do. Only things done for Christ will last. Know your own strengths and pray for those that are in their prime.
Very well said, Ruth.
What does it look like when you switch from living in your own power to living in God’s power ?
It’s hard at times because society has put a “watermark” on hardwork, so therefore we push ourselves to do more, be more, etc….for fear of appearing lazy. It’s hard, but letting God set the limits- everything else will be taken care of. Just speaking from experience.