"Beyond Burnout" (Amy O’Hana)

TITLE: Beyond Burnout: What to Do When Your Work Isn’t Working for You
AUTHOR: Amy O’Hana
PUBLISHER: Eugene, OR: Harvest House Publishers, 2020, (208 pages).

Even in the most enjoyable jobs we do, once we over-exert ourselves, we experience exhaustion leading to burnout. What then can we do about that? How do we sustain our energy levels without wearing ourselves out? As one who has experienced what burnout means, even writing a dissertation about it, there is much to learn from Amy O'Hana. In order to keep us all on the same page, she begins with a description of what burnout is. Externally, it means physical and mental exhaustion. Internally, it involves questions surrounding "meaning, fulfillment, and passion." For Christian ministry workers, the expectations are higher because of the desire to want to please God (and people!). Realizing a wide variety of material and resources in the market that prescribe solutions to burnout, O'Hana wants to help us begin a conversation about the things that really matter to us. Generally speaking, the three types of burnout are physical exhaustion, emotional exhaustion, and loss of meaning. Most people would have a combination of the three that change at different stages of our life experiences. Before we spiral out of control into a crash-and-burn scenario, it is important to take heed by being self-aware and to take steps toward self-care. This is different from selfishness or ego-centric behaviours. It is about caring for the caregiver in us, that we may continue to serve and help others. As the saying goes, "too much of a good thing is not good." For all our good intentions, we can become lost in the busyness of good works. We need a way to be rested. Otherwise, we will become entangled in an unhealthy cycle of "performance, disconnection, and renewed fervor" to do more. We are to remember that we are human beings, not human doings. Through a five-step intentional process, O'Hana teaches us to grow beyond burnout toward spiritual connection with God. The five steps are:

1. I will practice stillness so God can restore my soul.
2. I will seek connection with God, myself, and my work.
3. I will cultivate awareness of who I am, where I am, and what I want to be.
4. I will take consistent steps to promote well-being in my work.
5. I will focus on who I am to be, not what I am to do.  
   

Begin by remembering God's calling to us, how He loves us and cares for us. We practice stillness so that we can reconnect with God, our Caller and the Originator of our purpose in life. Our goal in life is not happiness but connection with God. By re-orientating ourselves to see the world and life from God's perspective, we will get a renewed understanding of what it means to live for God. Learning to be fully in God takes away the tendency to fill ourselves up with things we imagine to be helpful or necessary. O'Hana takes us through practical steps toward nourishment like proper nutrition, movement, touch, and communion. Acceptance requires unlearning some of the myths that derails our spiritual center, replacing self-driven expectations toward grace-filled acceptance. The third step has to do with the recognition that we are free in Christ. Accept the things we can change and what we can't change. This is about appropriate re-adjustment of our expectations as well. In times of crisis, take a time-out. Take care of our emotional intelligence. Through consistency and right focus, we can redeem our weary souls and to learn to run the marathon in a sustained fashion.

My Thoughts

I find that the author truly understands the meaning of burnout. The steps that she has prescribed are not only practical, but they are also highly doable. It is important to follow the prescribed steps diligently from the beginning as there is a purpose in each step. The most needful thing in any burnout situation is to re-align our spiritual center. O'Hana excels in helping us do that. Let me offer three thoughts about the book. In summary, this book is a devotional, a workbook, and an inspirational rolled into one.

First, as a devotional. I like the way O'Hana starts each chapter with a Bible verse. Written primarily for Christians, the verse starts the rest and recovery process firmly on the solid Rock of Scripture. Along the way, there are many references to the biblical principles advocated in the book, which surely appeals to the Christian worker. There is no true rest unless one rests in God alone. This is the principle of devotionals and I enjoy the way O'Hana incorporates the Bible teachings into the overall thrust of rest and recovery. The purpose is ultimately to reconnect us back to God, for burnout happens when we are out of sync with the Spirit.

Second, as a workbook, O'Hana makes ample space for us to apply immediately the principles she teaches. The "Rest and Reconnect" grey boxes tell us that rest requires intentionality. We cannot simply laze around and do nothing. We need to rest from our weariness and to orientate ourselves back to the Giver of Strength and Motivation: God. It is not enough to simply rest. We need to reconnect, which is why it is placed there to help us do that. In addition, the practice grey boxes challenge us to do something with what we have read. The best way to remember recovery principles is to apply them as soon as possible. The "to-do" list at the end of each chapter may seem to be another form of work. After all, getting well when we are sick requires us to take the prescribed medication or exercises too. Going through the todo list is an important recovery step.

Finally, as an inspirational, O'Hana encourages us that it is possible to be well. The five intentions of burnout resolution are meant to inspire us not to give up but always to come back stronger. Instead of throwing in the towel, she reminds us that we need to go beyond burnout and to return when we are ready. Recognizing our burnout stage is nothing shameful. Ignoring it would be foolish.  

For Christians in ministry, this book is a must-have.

Dr. Amy E. O'Hana is a licensed professional counselor, author, speaker, and full-time university professor. Amy specializes in difficult psychological issues, such as PTSD, depression, anxiety, and grief. Amy uses her expertise to help military veterans and their families and has traveled extensively to assist in mental health disaster recovery, teach professional counseling, and support Christian ministry. She lives in Central Oregon and has parented six children.

Rating: 4.5 stars of 5. 

conrade

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This book has been provided courtesy of Harvest House Publishers and NetGalley without requiring a positive review. All opinions offered above are mine unless otherwise stated or implied.