Overwhelm doesn’t come from having a big calling—it comes from a scattered week. The fix isn’t heroic willpower; it’s a clear weekly rhythm that protects your priorities before the week starts.

1. Put your “big rocks” in first. Schedule what matters most before anything else: time with Jesus, sermon/content creation, leadership development, key projects, rest, and family. When the big rocks are in, everything else finds its place.

2. Build a simple weekly template.
Monday: Low-key admin & recovery from Sunday (no major meetings).
Tuesday: People development—staff one-on-ones, mentoring, coaching.
Wednesday: Content/Sermon day—write, think, create (ideally from home).
Thursday: Projects & Reflection—strategic work, lunches with leaders, quarterly check-ins on mission and focus.
Friday: Rest. Dial down pressure.
Saturday: Family day. Be present. Avoid sermon prep if at all possible
(bi-vocational? Do it early or late).
Sunday: Services and pastoral presence.

3. Juggle, don’t balance. Ministry is dynamic. Crisis care, funerals, and meetings will pop up. When they do, reschedule, don’t erase your big rocks. They’re movable, not optional.
4. Lock it in with recurring appointments. Put Tuesday development blocks, Wednesday sermon blocks, and Thursday project blocks on repeat. Let your calendar work for you—so others don’t fill it for you.

5. Protect sustainable nights. Aim for two work nights a week. Three is occasionally fine. More than that isn’t sustainable—for you or your family.

6. Get team and board buy-in. Healthy boundaries aren’t selfish; they’re stewardship. Align your leaders on expectations so your calendar supports longevity, not burnout.

Start small: block next Tuesday for development, next Wednesday for sermon work, and next Thursday for projects. Three moves. Big difference.