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If you work in a parish, apostolate, diocese, or ministry, then you probably know what it is like to work long hours, and feel the weight of getting things done. Yes, you have a heart for service and love God. But, it all adds up to this - you may feel over-worked, under-appreciated, and stretched thin. It doesn't have to be that way.
You can say no.
You can stop doing things that aren't the most important things.
You can set good boundaries and stick to them.
You can even be much more fruitful, if you learn to do these things well!
Let me be clear - it is not selfish nor uncharitable to say "no", set clear personal boundaries, or to stop doing something that takes away your time from more important things. In fact, it means you value what you do so much, that you have chosen a better way.
Boundaries help define what you are and are not able to do well. You are limited and can't do it all, even when it feels like you have to or the ministry will come crumbling down. Remember, Jesus set boundaries too! He needed time to pray, be alone, rest, and recover. He didn't just burn the candle at both ends and have nothing left to offer those he ministered to. Rather, he knew that good self-care was an important part of being equipped to help others. He also knew his limitations and set boundaries.
There are always challenges to saying "no". Sometimes it is a choice between two good things. Still, you need to discern not whether something is good, but is it of God. A good thing vs. a God thing. Always aim for things of God and you will not go wrong.
Futhermore, if you need help in saying "no" or knowing when to stop putting time, resources, and effort into something, then here are a few tips.
First of all, know and use your mission. Why does your ministry exist? If it shares in the ministry of Jesus - then he has already given us a mission statement. Paul VI put it this way, the Church "exists in order to evangelize." Since this is the case, what things do not directly fit into this mission? What serves this mission best? What do I need to stop doing, which isn't helping me (personally) fulfill this mission?
Now, there are always details we must do. Administrative tasks, budget, meetings, etc. But, most of our time should be spent in service to the mission. If we use a mission as a standard of conduct, then we are able to aim for a vision. That is, a better future, where things are much brighter.
Your job isn't to save the world. Neither is it to fix all the problems around. Furthemore, you are limited and have needs. Take time today to reflect on what you need to say "no" to, so that you can have a bigger "yes" to Jesus and his mission in your work. Jesus doesn't like burnout and neither should you."And in the morning, a great while before day, he rose and went out to a lonely place, and there he prayed. And Simon and those who were with him followed him, and they found him and said to him, “Every one is searching for you.” And he said to them, “Let us go on to the next towns, that I may preach there also; for that is why I came out.” And he went throughout all Galilee, preaching in their synagogues and casting out demons." -Mark 1:35-39
Second, seek out someone who can help you walk through these issues. Talk with someone who can hold you accountable, has been in the trenches too, and knows what it is like. Having a good professional mentor or coach can be invaluable.
Finally, never neglect your prayer life. Never.