Are you the pioneering type?

Do you regularly have thoughts like: “Someone’s gotta fix this/ build this/ solve this problem/ discover a new way“? And then, do you get right to work doing the thing? If so, you, my friend, are the pioneering type.

Pioneering types are “high-responsibility” folks, front-footed in everything they do, aggressive problem solvers with a bent towards taking territory, establishing it and presenting it to others to occupy and operate in. Pioneers are reformers, many times. Pioneers are people designed to change the status quo.

In all of these scenarios, there is one common risk — a truly big risk — that all pioneers face that can put their destiny into question. What’s that truly big risk? Burn Out.

Burn out could look like taking an extended break at the wrong time, but it could also look like flagging health or a massive health breakdown. It could look like emotional collapse or spiritual confusion. Burn out could look like allowing distraction to come in. Burn out can look like escaping the life we were designed to live. And this massive risk of burn out is a major problem for a pioneer type because, in many cases, it can cause us to cease pioneering.

But here’s the thing: The irony is that if a pioneer type pioneers as hard as they can — all the time — without stopping at any point to consider their consistency in strength and energy and resiliency, they’ll burn out before they can truly pioneer the thing they were called to pioneer. That was my story, and I’ve got to tell you, it’s one of the most frustrating things to happen to a pioneer type — all the drive, all the desire, all the vision, and then you break down before you can actually get to the finish line.

Over the years I have seen so many folks with a massive pioneering call on their lives burning out — or being taken out — all because no one discipled them in how to walk out their call to pioneer with resilience and the ability to sustain, so they can go the distance. So, on today’s episode of Positioned to Prosper, I’m sharing three things I’ve learned along the way as a pioneer that have helped me to avoid burn out and breakdown, and to embrace resilience and sustainability so I can keep pioneering for the long haul.

Are you ready to run the race with resilience for the long run, Pioneer? If so, I want you to grab your Bible, your journal and a pen, and . . . Let’s Go!

p.s. — If you’d like to join me for the next round of The Beacon Cleanse (which I mention in this episode as a tool you can use in my #3 point), head over to ericapyle.com/cleanse.

What you will learn in this episode:

• How Pioneering Types tend to burn out or break down before they reach the finish line;
• Three things Pioneering Types must learn (and then implement) to avoid the burn out and break down;
• And an EASY BUTTON for implementing the three things I’m sharing with you today to “burn out-proof” your Pioneering efforts.

Scripture References mentioned in this episode:

James 1:5-8 —
If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him. But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind. For that person must not suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord; he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.

Hebrews 3:19 – 4:1; 4:9-11 —
So we see that they were unable to enter because of unbelief. Therefore, while the promise of entering his rest still stands, let us fear lest any of you should seem to have failed to reach it.

So then, there remains a Sabbath rest for the people of God, for whoever has entered God’s rest has also rested from his works as God did from his. Let us therefore strive to enter that rest, so that no one may fall by the same sort of disobedience.

1 Corinthians 6:19-20 —
Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body.

Links to Resources Mentioned in This Episode

Hey Pioneer, if you’re ready to prioritize stewarding your health, I’ve got the plan for you! It’s called The Beacon Cleanse and you can learn all about it by clicking here. And, hey, if you’d like a discount code that’ll save you $10 off the program registration, click here. Join my list and I’ll send you the code.

The 2022 round of The Beacon Cleanse starts January 3rd with a preparation week. The full six-week program begins on January 10th. Sign up before December 27th to get early access to the Program Guide and other helpful materials so you can prepare for the prep week. Hope to see you inside the program!

Xoxo – Erica

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Erica co-leads a local church alongside her husband, Doug, in Tampa, Florida called REVIVE Church of Tampa. You can visit the church’s website for more information about who we are, what we believe and how we show up as the Church in the heart of West Tampa and beyond.

REVIVE Church of Tampa

REVIVE Church of Tampa streams services live on Friday nights at 7pm ET and Sunday mornings at 11am ET. You can find those livestreams on our church Facebook page:

Live Services – Fridays at 7pm ET and Sundays at 11am ET

If you’re interested in joining the online campus of REVIVE Church of Tampa, you are welcome to join our community group on Facebook where we offer weekly discussion around the Friday and Sunday messages as well as discipleship Zoom groups and the opportunity to host others in your home as you stream services. You can find us here:

The ROCC: REVIVE Online Campus Community

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About this podcast:

Positioned to Prosper is a weekly podcast that covers the ins and outs of what it means to live a lifestyle of breakthrough and victory in your relationships, health, finances and beyond. Your host, Erica Pyle, is no stranger to jumping without the proverbial parachute while maintaining a firm grip on godly wisdom. A self-described slayer of pragmatism and a “walk by faith” kind of girl, Erica is an unabashed believer in the power of God to radically transform lives. Front-footed in faith as she offers straight-up truth, strategies, and wisdom for living victoriously, and equipped with her love for the word of God, her certification as a holistic health coach, and years of experience in personal finance and taxation, Erica is ready to help you get positioned to prosper.