“Remember, that work is his. You are his co-worker. Therefore, he depends on you for that special work. Do the work with him, and the work will be done for him. The talents God has given you are not yours – they have been given to you for your use, for the glory of God. There can be no half-measures in the work” (Saint Teresa of Kolkata, aka Mother Teresa).

Burnout is an all too real affliction, stealthily appearing at the most inopportune moments. My own journey has taught me that it is not the weight of our burdens that leads to exhaustion, but rather the manner in which we bear them. Jesus tenderly invites us in Matthew 11:28 to lay our burdens upon Him, revealing the profound truth that this is the very essence of avoiding burnout. Yet, one might ask, how is this lived out in the daily grind of life?

Distinguish the Controllable From the Uncontrollable

“Come to me, all you who labor and are burdened, and I will give you rest” (Matthew 11:28).

Not long ago, during a company retreat, a guest speaker delivered a splendid, practical, and uplifting discourse inspired by the teachings of Epictetus. His words illuminated the timeless truth that, while we may not command the external world, we have the power to govern our responses to its myriad trials. My thoughts turned to the gentle nudge from Jesus in Matthew 11:28, reminding us of His invitation to come to Him.

Regardless of whether our burdens are trifling or immense, Jesus yearns to draw near to us (James 4:8). Though we cannot alter the course of worldly events, we can embrace the Lord’s tender beckoning, accepting His call to humbly kneel at His feet and permit Him to shoulder our burdens.

Each burden bears its own unique visage. You might be dealing with a grumpy colleague or feel overwhelmed by a deluge of email demands. Perhaps you are wearing too many hats, performing tasks that stray far from your designated role. Dear friend, pause in your harried pace and present your burden—whatever form it may take—to the Lord. He stands ready, with open arms, to carry it for you.

The Wisdom of Delegation

“Humility is the proper attitude towards all true greatness, including one’s own greatness as a human being, but above all towards the greatness which is not oneself, which is beyond one’s self” (Pope St. John Paul II).

There may be no more important business skill than delegating. I have often erred in believing that my greatest utility lies in having a solution for every problem or an answer to every question. While providing solutions is part of my role, I have come to understand that true leadership is found in the art of delegation.

A thriving team composed of diligent professionals desires not only to perform well but to feel involved in the process. By entrusting appropriate tasks to my team members, I elevate the people I work with.

Do not succumb to the fallacy that you must single-handedly shoulder every responsibility in order to be of value in the workplace. This mindset inevitably leads to exhaustion and burnout. Do not isolate yourself; reach out to your colleagues, enlist your team members, or outsource tasks when appropriate.

A Prescription for Well-Being

“Man ought to imitate God both in working and also in resting” (Pope St. John Paul II).

Set aside time for yourself, and make that time a priority. Take a proper lunch break, or, if the weather permits, indulge in a leisurely walk. These small acts of self-care profoundly influence how I approach my tasks throughout the workday.

It might seem trivial, but mark it on your calendar. Schedule a midday walk to pray the Rosary, call a dear one, or treat yourself to a fancy beverage (I have found an iced chai with oat milk and a shot of espresso to be nothing short of transformative).

My communications manager shared this little stratagem with me at my first corporate position: She urged me to block out time on my calendar to complete writing assignments or to take a stroll around the premises for a breath of fresh air. It genuinely enhanced the quality of my work and my overall well-being.

Attend Mass whenever you are able. Adding Mass times to my calendar and dedicating those times to attend during the work week has not only transformed the quality of my work but also its purpose and direction. Mass centers my attitude, realigning my focus upon Jesus and His calling to us all: the Great Commission.

Amber Apple is a Digital Marketing Manager by day and a writer by night. When she’s not weaving tales for her novel, you can find her in her natural habitat — snuggled up on the couch, lost in the pages of a captivating book, clutching a steaming cup of tea. Her love language is baking French pastries, so if you’re craving a daily dose of mouthwatering recipes and delightful musings, visit her blog, mrsamberapple.com, or connect with her on Instagram @mrsamberapple.