Before You Burn Out: Reignite the Spark!

Hello friends, find my latest funding news and several NEW grants at Big Mama’s Playbook! This week’s message: For nonprofit leaders, like many educators, July isn’t just another month. July hits different when you’ve been carrying the pressures of meetings, reports, fundraising deadlines and having to deal with folks who just don’t always see what you see or its urgency, carrying the emotional load of showing up day after day, for other people. July isn’t just another month on the calendar. It hits differently when you’re on that 9-month contract. You budget differently if you need added income to cover any shortfalls, additional summer expenses like food, utilities or childcare. And for many nonprofits, July often marks the start of a new fiscal year. It’s budget season. Typically, it’s time for board and funders’ reports – final/quarterly, writing grants, and figuring out how to do more with less (again).

Some truth from Big Mama: Burned-out leaders build burned-out staff that create burned out organizations. And sometimes, the bravest thing you can do is take a purposeful pause to rest and reset. Let me tell you about Eileen, a coaching client who, like many leaders, had convinced herself she couldn’t take a real vacation. Not even a full week. She would come up with a myriad of excuses as to why it wasn’t a “good” time, The fear of falling behind or letting someone down kept her tied to her laptop even on weekends - all while raising her first child, now a toddler with her husband who’s starting a career in medicine. Eileen had been showing up for everybody else - staff, funders, stakeholders, board members, her family & friends, and the community. Coaching was her time to show up for herself.

During one of our final meetings, we spent time reflecting on this experience when something powerful emerged: the concept of “recovery for discovery.” This was her three -word phrase to describe how our thought partnership work helped her. Eileen learned the power of making space on her calendar - not just for rest, but for rejuvenation, retooling, and regaining more balance. As the leader of a statewide organization, she went from avoiding time off altogether… to taking a three-week vacation during and after the holidays.

What made the difference? I granted her permission. She made gradual progress, and I ensured accountability. Not only did she return refreshed each time, but she came back with new ideas, clearer goals, and an even deeper appreciation in her incredible team. Reclaiming your time to rest allows advocacy and leadership to be sustainable, not sacrificial. And it’ll help you stay committed.

Eileen’s story is a reminder: Rest isn’t the opposite of productivity - it’s the source of it. Rest is not a luxury - it’s a leadership practice. It is an opportunity to teach, guide, and model what a healthy workplace looks like. Whether it’s a few days offline, a staycation, or simply unplugging from urgency and busyness. Culture isn’t just created - it’s cultivated and authentic.

Let the month of July remind all of us to protect our peace - because we know this work can wear you out. Not just physically, but deep in your spirit. If you’re tired or wondering how much longer you can keep “showing up” - you are not alone. Sometimes, the fire inside of you doesn’t go out; it just needs some tending to. For those of us trying to lead, serve, and still show up, especially in this environment, some considerations:

1. Give Yourself Permission to Pause

In a world that praises constant hustle and “busyness”, slowing down can feel like failure. Rest – that’s not quitting. It’s wisdom. Rest is where your spirit catches up with your WHY. Take a step back, unplug, and rest, not just your body, but your heart and mind. No guilt.

2. Pass the Torch Without Stepping Away

You don’t have to carry the whole organization, group or movement on your back. You just have to keep it moving forward. Empowering others can lighten your load. Help lift someone up. Somebody probably gave you that opportunity, at least once. When they shine, you shine. (but make sure you provide them with the tools to shine!)

3. Redefine What Success Looks Like

When you’re burned out, it’s often because you’ve been so busy chasing outcomes that you don’t stop to acknowledge the impact and milestones along the way. You may not have changed the whole system, but you changed somebody’s world. That young adult who found their voice. That elder who got access to home health services. Maybe that student who saw someone who looked like them leading.

July invites you to take a pause. Sometimes because your spirit demands it. Take stock of how you’re feeling: mentally, emotionally, physically. You cannot lead others well if you keep ignoring your own signals for rest. What are you willing to release to reclaim your rest? 

Weekly wisdom, in their own words:

It's about working hard, resting when you need to, leading a healthy life, and having a support structure around you. These factors help you improve.”

-    Adama Traore (January 25, 1996 - )

Interested in coaching or technical assistance for your nonprofit? Schedule your complimentary 1-hour brainstorming/thought-partnering session!  Book a time!

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Looking for funding? It’s a new fiscal year for many funders too! Check out Big Mama’s Playbook!