Avoid Burnout by Finding Your Threshold of Volunteerism
By Del Albright, Sustainable Motorized Recreation Advocate
Saying “yes” to a cause you care about is easy—maybe too easy. Before you know it, your calendar is overflowing, your inbox is bursting, your patience is thinning, and burnout is just around the corner. The irony? Once burnout hits, you're not just sidelined—you might even harm the cause you set out to help.
The Power of Knowing Your Threshold
The word threshold is ancient, tracing back over a thousand years. Historically, it referred to the literal first step into a building. Today, it also describes a critical limit—the tipping point that, once crossed, triggers a significant reaction. In our context, it’s the line between passionate engagement and total burnout.
Whether you're involved in clubs, boards, trail cleanups, or land use advocacy, learning where your volunteer threshold lies—and staying just this side of it—is key to long-term effectiveness and personal well-being.
A Quail Hunt Analogy
Imagine volunteering like a quail hunt. You spend hours walking, burning energy, then suddenly a flurry of activity demands your attention. You shoot wildly in all directions, often missing most of the targets. Sound familiar? In the land use world, the flurry never ends—calls, meetings, emails, tasks from every direction. It’s easy to try and do it all.
But when you say yes to everything, you eventually end up overwhelmed, spread thin, and ineffective. Just like in Parkinson’s Law—work expands to fill the time available—volunteer duties will expand to fill every moment you give them… and then some.
Soon, your lawn's overgrown, your rig is dirty, your relationships are strained, and the trails you care about remain unridden.
Burnout creeps in silently. There are no flashing warning signs when you're nearing your threshold. That’s why it’s essential to take proactive steps now.
Five Steps to Avoid Volunteer Burnout
1. Choose and Allow
Stay committed to the cause, but narrow your focus. Choose the specific roles or efforts that align with your time, energy, and passion. It’s not about stepping out—it’s about stepping smarter. Say, “I’ll still do my part, just maybe a different part.” That’s perfectly okay.
2. Identify Your Best Jobs
What are you really good at? Writing letters? Organizing people? Offering behind-the-scenes support? Pinpoint your strengths. That’s your niche—the space where your talents can shine without draining your spirit.
3. Let Go
Admit what doesn’t fit and let it go. Don’t waste energy fighting a task that drains you. Someone else may excel where you struggle. Free yourself—and them—by handing it off.
4. Facilitate the Handoff
Don’t ghost your duties. Help others step in. If you’ve been carrying a task but need to step away, help someone else transition into it. Be honest, be supportive, and make the shift a smooth one.
5. Grab Your Niche and Own It
Now that you've let go of the rest, pour your energy into your sweet spot. Take a course, build your skills, and make every hour count. You'll stay motivated, be more effective, and most importantly—stay in the fight without burning out.
Final Thought: Stay in the Fight—Sustainably
We need passionate people in the volunteer world—especially in the fight for public lands and trail access. But we need sustainable passion. That starts with knowing your threshold, supporting your fellow volunteers, and staying focused on where you can make the biggest impact.
Avoid burnout. Fight smarter. And help others do the same.
Want to Learn More?
- Del's Books – Land Use, Wildfire, Death Valley, Cowboy Poetry & More
- Home Base – Visit My Website
- Pinterest – Books, Trail Tips, and Advocacy Articles
- Facebook – Join the Conversation
- Instagram – Jeep Life, Wildlands, and More
- Del’s Articles – Leadership, Volunteerism, and Public Lands
Volunteer and Land Use Tools:
- Run a Better Meeting
- How to Write an Effective Letter
- Public Speaking for Trail Advocates
- How to Facilitate Meetings
- Find and Join the Right Groups
- Lead Volunteers and Save Trails
