Ever thought you were charging your smart phone, only to discover that one end wasn’t properly plugged in?
Instead of that beautiful, full green bar, all you had was that pathetic, useless little red bar.
The same things happens to leaders all the time.
Effective leaders know the importance of recharging; of taking the time to properly refill their emotional, physical, mental and spiritual batteries.
But sometimes they’re not properly plugged in, and when that happens they’re quickly on the short little red line of burnout.
How do these recharging snafu’s happen?
In my experience these are the three most common mistakes leaders make when they’re trying to recharge their batteries.
1. They use the wrong charger
The best way to fill your tank is unique to you. What charges up your battery could be very different to what charges up mine.
In church leadership circles it has become widely known that Bill Hybels recharges his batteries by sailing. It’s amazing how many leaders took up sailing after learning this.
But for many, particularly those with no real affinity for the sport, they found their batteries down at the red line faster than you can say “abandon ship”.
Know what it is that fills your tank, and stick with that.
2. They confuse recharging with escaping
Recharging is an activity that gives you tremendous soul-filling, healthy pleasure.
Escapism is simply retreating into an artificial world of stimulation. Common forms include mindless channel surfing, unhealthy social media habits, binge shopping, and so on.
But like a smart phone that’s simply been left sitting on the counter, escapism doesn’t charge you up. If anything, it further drains your tank.
Don’t be lured by the seduction of escapism.
3. They overcharge
Ever heard someone return to the office after two weeks’ vacation who announced, “I’m more exhausted now than when I left!” Chances are they took a soul-filling activity, and did it to death.
Too much of a good thing can be counter-productive.
Whatever fills your tank, know when enough is enough.
In order to remain fresh and effective as a leader, it’s vital that you take the time to keep yourself charged up.
So develop good recharging habits.
If you do, that green battery line can remain fully charged for years to come.
How do you recharge your leadership batteries?
