Your Mental Resilience Playbook
Last week I wrote that the stressors 2020 has placed on all of us call for a mindset shift in how we lead our organizations and pastor churches.
This week I want to drill down to a more personal level. What about you personally? What changes do you need to make to avoid burnout and stay fit to lead?
I know some leaders and pastors are thinking, “I don’t know how much longer I can do this” or “I am too tired to face the prospect of constant change if the pandemic hits a hard second phase this fall”. It does not have to be that way though.
Mental resilience is a real skill that can be developed. Surviving and thriving in periods of rapid change – and that is what we are in right now – requires it.
So quiz yourself on the following top-ten mental resilience tactics you need in your personal playbook. How’s your game in these key areas?
Prayer. Be honest. Are you spending sufficient time alone with God?
Scripture. What about choosing one or two favorites that especially speak to you? Revisit and reflect on them daily.
Mindset. I love the scripture, “He makes my feet like hinds feet…” (Psalm 18:33) I watched a Youtube video of this kind of deer scrambling up the side of an incredibly treacherous and steep cliff. Completely fearless! God did safely perch them on a high place and he will keep us firm, too. Let’s keep that in mind.
Support. This may be personal support system like family and friends. Whenever I have a daunting task in front of me, I enlist a small group of people to pray for me through it. I usually give them some type of report as to how it’s going from time to time. It’s really important to connect with other churches and ministry colleagues now because you can share strategies.
Downtime. Take a break. Think of it as the Quarterback sneak. You don’t use it all the time but at strategic moments, it’s invaluable!
Mission. Keep your eye on the big picture (like making disciples or some other major strategy). Don’t get caught up in things that don’t matter!
For example, I know a local church with a mission of “being our city’s best friend”. They evaluate potential activities from that perspective. They don’t feel compelled to maintain traditional programs except when they directly support their mission statement. Stay focused on the mission but hold onto specific programs very loosely.
Focus. Focus on things you can control rather than things you cannot control.
Agility. Abandon perfectionism. Agility trumps perfection in this situation. Pivot on a dime like a runner dashing downfield. If you need to change directions, do it.
Journal. I have written on the benefits and strategies of journaling before here Journaling for Insight and you can get a tool to help with journaling here: a checklist.
Exercise. If you’re a couch potato, now is the time to start walking! If you’re already a fitness buff, don’t let it go. If you can, add some outdoor time as well. Keeping yourself physically fit supports your emotional health. That’s a well-established fact.
You know, I’d add one more critical move to the playbook: keep your sense of humor. Find things to laugh at. It’s good medicine.
How are you doing on that list? Got all 10 of those plays working for you? If so, I have no doubt you will conquer 2020 and beat every obstacle in your path!
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