# How Club Leaders of All Sizes Can Avoid Burnout

“My board president and I have a running joke. Every year around January or February, I call her and she says: ‘I already know. You're going to resign.’ She knows I won't, but that's how real burnout is. It's going to happen without fail.”  
Sean Cochran  
Executive Director, Keystone FC

If you’ve ever thought: “I can’t keep this pace up forever,” you’re not alone. Leading a small club is hard work, and the pressure can pile up quickly. The good news is that there are simple yet effective ways to protect yourself from burnout:

## 1. Stop trying to make everyone happy
Part of what leads to burnout for club leaders is this overwhelming need to please everyone around them. “One thing I’ve found in 20 years of the game is you can’t make everyone happy. It’s impossible,” says Mark Ryan, Chief Executive Officer at Loudoun Soccer.

## 2. Find your niche and stick to it
It’s important to do things well, but you don’t need to boil the ocean. “Start small and scale small. Don’t try to implement a million things at once,” says Beach FC Executive Director Steve Danbusky.

## 3. Stop worrying about what everyone else is doing
“If you’re just keeping up with the Joneses, you might push yourself into a position you’re not ready for,” says Chris "Fuzzy" Steeno, Executive Director at Indiana Impact SC.

## 4. Don’t be afraid to seek advice from others
“Making connections outside your market and building a network can really help. It’s a good reminder that you’re not alone.” says Shelley Forrest, Head of Administration & Director of Operations at Far Post Soccer Club.

## 5. Find your work/life balance
“Leaders don’t need to be available every hour of every day; communicate clearly about availability and don’t be afraid to take vacation time.” says Matt Tunis, Partner & Director of Operations at Chicago Empire FC.

## 6. Don’t shy away from delegation
“It’s easy to fall into the trap of thinking you have to touch everything. Learn to delegate some core responsibilities.” says Matt Tunis.

## 7. Remember why you’re doing this
“Definitely find ways to remind yourself why you’re running a club,” says Sean Cochran. Holding onto that passion keeps you energized and grounded.

## 8. Maintain solid boundaries with staff and parents
“Clear communication and consistent boundaries help to build trust and reduce stress.” says Matt Tunis.

## 9. Don’t ignore your mental or physical fatigue
“If you’re not your best physically and mentally, that will affect you both on and off the field.” cautions Mark Ryan.

The bottom line is: running a small club will always come with its share of challenges. Remember that you don’t have to do it all on your own. Lean on your network, set boundaries that protect your time, and give yourself permission to step back when you need to. Most importantly, try not to lose sight of the joy that brought you here in the first place.