I am on vacation this week and I'm enjoying some warm weather and a time away with Becca. The boys are staying home with Dave Skahen and enjoying every minute of it! (Something to do with eating out every night.) I think it is important for all of us to use up our vacation days and I've even told my staff before that they're stealing from the church if they don't use them all up. (They're not as fresh as they could be if they don't use them and we all suffer if they suffer.)
Here are a few good tips to avoid burnout whether you are a pastor or not. 1- Always take a day off every week. You can't just cram them in at the end of the year. 2- Use up all of your vacation every year. You are not a better employee because you don't use them. You actually are hurting your company, your family and your self when you don't use them. 3- Always have one big event up ahead about 3 months out that your family can look forward to. They can stretch and be busy for a season if they know that the special time is up ahead. (It has to be quarterly, you can't cram a years worth into one event. Also, it doesn't have to be expensive, many times the things that don't cost a lot are the things your family remembers.) 4- Don't cancel that event, if you have an emergency don't pass over the event, reschedule it. Your family has to understand an emergency but you do need to reschedule. 5- If you're married and have kids, alternate between family vacations and mom and dad vacations! Before there was a family, you made a vow to each other as a couple so honor that vow and spend time away with each other. You're a better parent when you're a better spouse!
A few tips for you while I'm away on vacation getting some rest and reconnecting with Becca.
Preach it, that's all we're saying... :)
Posted by: The Skoog's | February 26, 2009 at 09:28 AM
I love it! Great advice.
Posted by: Liz Poch | March 14, 2009 at 07:36 AM