3 Powerful Ways to Recharge When Leadership Feels Exhausting

Strength in Small Doses: 3 Simple Ways to Recharge When Leadership Feels Draining

Let’s talk about something real for a moment: leading—whether it’s a team, a classroom, a family, or a ministry—is deeply meaningful, but let’s be honest... it can also be deeply exhausting. And if we’re not careful, we can end up running on fumes, wondering when the next break will come.

That’s why this summer, we’re offering something a little different: bite-sized coaching insights we’re calling “Strength in Small Doses.” These are short, intentional reflections to help you grow in self-awareness, lead with clarity, and breathe a little deeper.

Today, we’re focusing on how to recharge—especially when leadership starts to feel heavy.

A Quick Story…

Just last week, I found myself staring at my calendar thinking, “When is the break coming??” Life had been a blur of meetings and responsibilities, and I could feel the fatigue creeping in. But instead of pushing through (which is my usual default), I paused. Just 15 minutes. I sat in a comfy chair with a notebook, eyes closed, and no agenda—just space. I whispered a prayer and let the silence settle around me. Any thought that popped up, I jotted down and let go.

Fifteen minutes later? I wasn’t magically energized, but I felt grounded. And that made a world of difference heading into a full weekend.

3 Simple Ways to Recharge (Without Taking a Week Off)

These ideas aren’t complicated, but they’re powerful when practiced regularly. If you’ve been feeling stretched thin, try one of these this week:

1. Take a Quiet Reset (Even for Just 10 Minutes)

Why it helps: Leaders are usually “on” all the time. Silence gives your nervous system a break and helps you recalibrate.

Ideas to try:

• A short walk without your phone

• Sitting in your car before walking into the house

• A breath prayer: Inhale: “God, You’re near.” Exhale: “I release control.”

📖 “In quietness and trust is your strength…” – Isaiah 30:15

2. Name What’s Weighing on You

Why it helps: Mental clutter is draining. Naming what’s heavy gives it less power and creates clarity.

Ideas to try:

• A quick brain dump on paper or a voice memo

• Journal prompt: What’s draining me right now that I haven’t acknowledged?

• Ask a trusted friend: “Can I process something with you for five minutes?”

💡 Sometimes it’s not how much we’re doing—it’s the emotional weight we’re carrying that wears us down.

3. Reconnect to Your “Why”

Why it helps: When we lose sight of our purpose, fatigue follows fast. Reconnecting to our “why” brings fresh motivation.

Ideas to try:

• Revisit a note or moment when your leadership made a difference

• Reflect or pray on how this season is shaping you

• Remind yourself who you’re serving and why it matters

🧭 When you lead from purpose, your energy becomes more sustainable.

A Personal Confession

Out of the three, the quiet reset is actually the hardest for me. I tend to push through and keep going. But when I pause—even briefly—I’m reminded I’m not leading alone. That pause shifts everything.

Your Strength in Small Dose for the Week:

“Taking small, intentional moments to breathe, process, and reconnect are just what we need to keep going. Don’t wait until you’re running on empty.”

Let’s Keep the Conversation Going

What helps you recharge when leadership feels draining? Send me a message or tag me on social media—I’d love to hear from you and cheer you on.

And don’t forget, there’s strength in numbers.