God Gave You 24 Hours: Here’s How To Use Them Wisely
The 8+8+8 Rule for Church Leaders
You're not lazy. And you’re not crazy.
You're just exhausted from a rhythm that doesn't reflect God's design.
Most church leaders I coach aren’t struggling because they lack passion.
They’re struggling because they lack a sustainable pace.
Let me introduce you to a framework that’s deceptively simple but incredibly powerful:
The 8+8+8 Rule.
It breaks your 24-hour day into three equal parts:
8 hours of hard work
8 hours of good sleep
8 hours of soul-giving restoration
Let’s unpack that.
8 Hours of Hard Work
Your calling is demanding.
Whether you're preaching, planning, counseling, or solving last-minute crises, ministry work can easily consume every waking moment.
But here’s the trap (and I’ve fallen for this too):
Working longer doesn’t always mean leading better.
What if your 8-hour workday was defined by focus, not fatigue?
What if you planned your output around purpose, not pressure?
Leader Tip:
Start your day by listing your top 3 ministry priorities.
Not your to-do list. Your must-do list.
Then build your calendar around those.
8 Hours of Good Sleep
You don’t need another cup of coffee.
Or another energy drink (I’m preaching to myself 🙋🏽♂️).
You need real rest.
Rest isn’t unproductive. It’s sacred.
Jesus Himself took naps in storms.
David wrote songs about rest.
God modeled rest on day seven of creation, and He wasn’t tired.
Here’s what most leaders forget:
Chronic fatigue isn’t just physical. It’s emotional. And spiritual.
Leader Tip:
Create a nighttime routine that honors your body and your calling:
Dim your lights an hour before bed
Turn off ministry and all other notifications
Pray yourself to sleep, not scroll yourself to stress
8 Hours of Restoration (The 3Fs, 3Hs, and 3Ss)
3Fs: Family, Friends, Faith
These are your relational and spiritual anchors.
When neglected, ministry becomes a performance.
When prioritized, ministry becomes an overflow.
Questions to reflect on:
Have I had a life-giving conversation with someone outside of ministry this week?
When was the last time I worshiped just for me, not for the church?
3Hs: Health, Hygiene, Hobby
Yes, pastors need to take care of their bodies, too.
It’s not vain, it’s vital.
Movement clears your mind. Hygiene sharpens your presence. Hobbies protect your humanity.
Your body is a temple. That includes rest, sweat, and a little fun.
Leader Tip:
Reclaim a forgotten hobby.
You don’t need to monetize it. Or post it. Just enjoy it.
3Ss: Soul, Service, Smile
This is where your joy lives.
Your soul needs Scripture outside of sermon prep.
Your hands need to serve without a platform.
And your spirit needs to smile, not just survive.
Leader Tip:
Block 15 minutes each day for something that restores your soul: a walk, a worship song, a silent moment with God.
What This Looks Like in Real Life
Let’s do some math:
8 hours of focused, fruitful work
8 hours of real, non-negotiable sleep
8 hours of intentional living: family dinner, walking the dog, reading Scripture, going to the gym, calling your mentor, praying without a mic in your hand
This is more than a time management tool.
It’s a life stewardship strategy.
Final Thoughts
If you're constantly tired, short-tempered, or spiritually numb, it’s not always spiritual warfare.
Sometimes it’s poor scheduling.
Sometimes it’s an overwhelmed calendar trying to carry what your soul was never meant to hold alone.
God didn’t call you to burn out for Him.
He called you to walk with Him.
Your Move
If this resonated with you, it’s time for a reset.
I help pastors and church leaders apply these same principles in their context by designing strategies that work, implementing systems that last, and developing leaders who multiply.
Let’s work together to align your voice with your values.
Schedule a free discovery call today.
Visit ericvhampton.com to start the conversation.
See you next Saturday!
Eric V Hampton
Whenever you’re ready, there are 3 ways I can help you:
Pew Patterns. My new book helps leaders like you make sense of the shifting spiritual landscape and build churches where people don’t just attend… they belong.
The Healthy Church Leader Annual Review. My annual review guides you from celebration (remembering past wins) to expectation (planning future wins) as you pursue your Christ-centered mission.
The Real MVP. I wrote and designed this book to invest in your leadership. Become a person of mission, vision, and purpose in 60 minutes.