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It took me almost three years to unpack what and whom my personal business was for.

That’s a long time to spend alone in the desert seeking insight.

While wandering about in the wilderness of confusion and uncertainty, I came up with a few tricks for maintaining my commitment to my endeavor while protecting my sanity and stamina.

One was to check in with myself and ask, “Is what I’m doing now energizing me or exhausting me?”

This question helped me check how much zest was in my tank. In other words, am I close to burnout?

Of course, all worthwhile work includes periods of physical, psychological, and spiritual impoverishment and invigoration.

But a consistent and sustained season of fatigue is worth naming and paying attention to.

How do you check in with your enthusiasm or enmity for what you’re working on?

I began to get pretty good at quickly quitting things that depleted me. Maybe too good.

Having circled back to a hastily dropped plan or project only to find there actually was something of value there more than once, I now pause to rethink my approach before quitting a plan or project.

This helps me check myself and not mistake a dip for a sunk cause.

When I’m experiencing fatigue or frustration, I now ask myself two important questions, “Am I doing the wrong thing, or am I doing the thing wrong?”

Overreaching, overthinking, overcommitting, or multitasking often turn out to be the actual source of my tiredness.

Pausing, zooming out, and asking for help assist me in regaining the focus, boldness, and discipline I need to find and take the next best step forward.

I can then rethink, recalibrate, and recommit to doing the thing better.

What are you experiencing in your journey to discover, develop, or deliver your endeavors?

Is what you’re doing day-to-day energizing or exhausting you?

If the latter, maybe it’s time to check your zest tank.