There was a time in my career when I felt completely burned out. After years of chasing goals, meeting impossible deadlines, and constantly pushing myself, I hit a wall. The spark that had once fueled my ambition was gone, and I found myself questioning my purpose. But through faith, reflection, and a shift in perspective, I discovered how to reignite my drive and lead with passion again. If you’ve ever felt like you’re running on empty, I want to share my journey and the steps that helped me find my way back.
Burnout doesn’t always announce itself. For me, it crept in gradually as I tried to balance a high-pressure international career with the demands of family life. I wrote about this in The Leadership Attitude: Inspiring Success Through Authenticity and Passion: “I worked extremely hard, did everything I could to learn my craft, and paid my dues. But I was totally dedicated to my career—I gave nothing less than 100 percent, seven days a week. Deep down inside, it didn’t feel right.” The constant grind had taken a toll not only on my energy but also on my sense of purpose. When I finally paused to reflect, I realized something had to change.
Faith played a critical role in helping me rediscover my purpose. I decided to take a step back and focus on what truly mattered. I began reading the Bible daily and journaling my prayers. This time of reflection became the foundation for my renewal. In my book, I shared: “The lessons I began learning about the different biblical warriors and leaders gave me insight and helped me begin to trust that God would put me on the path I needed to go— and he did. Great people started coming into my life…they all had one thing in common: they were believers in Christ and openly talked about it.” Taking the time to listen to my heart and lean on my faith helped me reconnect with my passion for helping others and leading with authenticity.
If you’re feeling burned out, there are steps you can take to reignite your passion. For me, it started with pausing and reflecting. Giving yourself time to step back and think about what truly matters can be a powerful first step. In the hustle of life, it’s easy to lose sight of your core values and goals. Journaling and prayer helped me clarify what I needed to change. I also found it invaluable to reconnect with my “why.” Asking myself why I started in my career or passion in the first place brought me back to the joy of making a difference in people’s lives and helping organizations thrive through human-centered leadership.
Another critical step was surrounding myself with the right people. I sought out mentors, friends, and colleagues who inspired and encouraged me. As I wrote, “Great people started coming into my life…and they all had one thing in common: they were believers in Christ and openly talked about it.” These connections reignited my sense of purpose and reminded me of the power of community. Focusing on service also transformed my mindset. When I shifted from asking, “What can I achieve?” to “How can I serve?” everything changed. Leading with the heart allows you to find fulfillment in helping others succeed.
Reigniting your passion doesn’t happen overnight. It requires small, intentional steps. For me, this included starting my own company, PZI International, where I could lead with faith and authenticity. Each small step aligned with my values and brought me closer to the leader I wanted to be.
Reigniting your drive after burnout isn’t just about finding energy again—it’s about rediscovering your passion and aligning your work with your purpose. As I reflect on my journey, I’m reminded that the most important changes often come from within. By embracing faith, leaning into your values, and focusing on service, you can lead with passion and inspire others to do the same. Remember, it’s never too late to start again. As I often say, “To inspire success, you must lead with your heart and help others.”