Seasons of Life
Neither life nor leadership follows a straight line. We often think we can set a goal, follow a plan, and sustain a steady pace, but reality doesn't work that way. Leadership, just like life, unfolds in seasons.
Sometimes you’re in a season of growth, where things are moving fast and opportunities are everywhere. Other times, you’re in a season of transition or recovery. Maybe it’s personal, maybe it’s professional, but whatever the cause, your energy and focus just aren’t the same.
And that’s okay. That’s not failure. That’s being human.
The challenge is, most people don’t feel like they’re allowed to change. We’re expected to keep going at full speed, no matter what life demands. But that kind of pressure is what leads to burnout. Not just physical exhaustion, but emotional disconnection as well.
This session is about learning to lead through your seasons and recognize what this moment needs from you, as well as how to give yourself permission to adjust without guilt. Resilience is not about doing it all. It’s about knowing when to slow down, when to lean in, and when to protect your energy.
“Life and business are like the changing seasons. You cannot change the seasons, but you can change yourself.”
Self-Assessment: Seasons of Life
Please take a few moments to answer the following self-reflection questions. Where can you identify opportunities for personal growth in your leadership?
What kind of season am I in right now?
Am I expecting myself to perform at full capacity even when my energy is low?
Do I feel guilty when I slow down?
Have I taken time to reset after a demanding period?
Am I holding myself to expectations that matched a different season?
Do I clearly communicate my capacity when it's limited?
What personal or work routines are helping me stay grounded?
Am I giving myself the same understanding I would offer someone else?
Remember, this self-assessment is just a starting point for understanding your current Work/Life Balance and Life Season. It's essential to reflect on your responses and actively work on areas where improvement is needed.
Leadership doesn’t always look the same, and it shouldn’t. It changes depending on the season you’re in, not only in your work but also in life. Here are a few of the most common seasons:
Fast seasons feel full of momentum. You’re busy, productive, and things are moving quickly. These might show up when you’re launching something new, stepping into a challenge, or taking on more than usual. Fast seasons can energize you, but they also require extra focus and effort.
Calm seasons come with steadier rhythms. These often follow a stretch of high demand. You’re not running on adrenaline anymore. The goal is to maintain consistency, protect your routines, and avoid burnout. Calm seasons give you a chance to reset.
Struggling seasons are harder and often more personal. Maybe you're dealing with grief, uncertainty, or ongoing stress. These can show up during transitions or after something difficult. These seasons require patience, flexibility, and a lot of grace.
Low-energy seasons sometimes show up without warning. You might not feel burned out, but you also don’t feel motivated. This can happen after a deadline, during long winter months, or when your routine is out of sync. Even the holidays can create a season of emotional highs and lows that affect how you lead and how you feel.
Life comes with its own natural seasons too. The weather, the calendar, family schedules, and even personal milestones can shift how much energy and attention you have. All of that matters. And whatever season you’re in, naming it helps. When you can say, “This is where I am,” you stop judging yourself by the wrong standards.
“Each of us is imbued with the power to choose the season of our mind.”
Here are some best practices to help you lead well in any season:
1. Acknowledge The Season You're In: Start by naming it. Are you in a fast season, where things are moving quickly and you’re handling a lot? Is it a calm season where routines are steady? Or are you in a struggling season, where everything feels heavier than usual? Maybe you’re recovering from something difficult or maybe you’re just tired of reading the news. Whatever it is, name it. When you pause and pay attention, you stop judging yourself by the wrong standards and start responding to what’s actually true for you.
2. Be Intentional About Your Expectations: Once you know your season, reexamine your mindset. Are you expecting yourself to move at full speed when you really need rest? Let your expectations match your reality. That’s not lowering your standards; that’s living with intention. Some seasons call for reflection, some call for structure, and some call for slowing down. What matters is being intentional about the season you’re in and not trying to force yourself into one that doesn’t fit.
3. Learn From Your Seasons: Not every season is easy, but each one has something to teach. You may not know how to handle grief, burnout, or big life changes until you’ve lived through them. Some lessons only come from experience, and that’s part of growth. Ask yourself, “What am I learning in this season?” or “What will I carry forward from this later?” Even the hard parts can shape you into someone stronger, steadier, and more self-aware.
4. Plan With The Seasons In Mind: Your energy, your schedule, and even the calendar all have natural rhythms. If you know a busy stretch is coming, schedule yourself breathing room before and after. Don’t plan your goals around how things were last month; plan for the season you're in right now. Don’t forget that pacing is an important skill in both leadership and life.
5. Live With Grace, Not Guilt: When your energy drops or life gets complicated, it’s easy to feel like you’re falling behind. But guilt won’t help us lead well. What helps is grace. Give yourself the same understanding you’d give a team member going through a rough patch. Remind yourself that leadership is a long-term journey, and like any journey, there will be setbacks.
Reflection Questions:
What kind of season am I in right now? What does this season require from me?
Where have I been holding myself to unrealistic expectations?
What needs to shift in my daily routine to match the season I’m in?
What’s one thing I can give myself permission to let go of or adjust?
Leadership means adjusting your pace as the season requires. It starts with recognizing what is happening around you and choosing to respond with honesty instead of pressure. Self-awareness allows you to respond thoughtfully, rather than react on impulse. This kind of presence leads to better decisions, stronger support for others, and more stability during times of change.
After identifying the season you are in, the next step is choosing your path forward. This includes managing your time effectively, safeguarding your energy, and prioritizing what matters most. In the next session, we will explore how to lead intentionally, no matter what season or challenge you face.
To push your understanding of Seasons of Life to the next level, explore these valuable resources. They’ll help expand your skills and provide essential tools for building strong leadership.
3 Leaders Empowering Their Teams to Embrace Work-Life Balance and Avoid Burnout
How Leaders Can Model Work-Life Balance