“You’re Not Burned Out—You’re Just Running Someone Else’s Race”

Here’s how you know your goals aren’t yours. You bought into an identity you wished for, or started following someone you admired, and then adopted that/their vision as your own. It’s OK for a while, but after a few months or a few decades, you realize you’re just the serf making another man’s dream come true. Instead of following the Lamb (Rev 14:4), you’re following the lama. The worst kind is religious serfdom promoted by guilt. You will burn out, and God Himself will light the fire that burns up your dead works.

The Treadmill – Serfdom explains why chasing success often feels like running someone else’s race. Basically, it means you accepted a checklist before you had a chance to ask questions, have the conversations, or even feel chosen by your Father. You didn’t choose these goals; you were given them, and now you’re stuck measuring your worth by outcomes that are divorced from your personal Kingdom Purpose. It’s a serf-ish, soulish, selfish lifestyle filling time with dead works.

You see, there are two kinds of ambition: the kind that comes from Father’s authentic purpose for you and the kind that comes from needing approval. If you’re constantly plodding through your good works checklist and accountability feels intrusive and shallow, this is why. You’re winning the game, but it’s not your game. If your success doesn’t feel like freedom, it was never your dream to begin with.

Getting Connected – We all have two choices: 1) get connected with yourself and your soulish dreams, or 2) get connected with what your Father is doing and co-labor with Him (Jn 5:19).

#1. Is a selfish, soulish lifestyle that will eventually betray you. However, it is what marketing and temptation are all about. You can tap into a supernatural energy source to do it. It does work for some, but it hollows out your soul and ends in death of the personality and, eventually, the person. It’s serving the wrong father (Jn 8:44-47).

#2. Is laying down your life and taking up your cross to find your true self in following Jesus. Father will add all the things He knows you need (Mt 6:32-33), but the real KPI for your “success” is the conversations you have in the Council and the co-laboring you do on earth. Sons and daughters in business release what God can do on a very intentional level.

The irony is that #2 is the fastest way to realize your dreams in #1. God designed you to fit and flourish as sons and daughters in your unique calling. How do you find out what that is?

Start with Conversation – Sonship is an identity shift that occurs after salvation. The result of this shift is the understanding that our Father wants to communicate with us, include us in His presence, and to empower us and send us with His purpose. Saying “yes” to this shift towards sonship opens the door to ascension to Father’s Council and conversations with Father, Jesus, and the seven Spirits. Awareness of what Father is doing and how our daily purpose aligns with our larger calling is what brings clarity to our lives and businesses. We are no longer serving ourselves; instead, we are engaged in a much larger purpose that Father accomplishes through His sons and daughters. Jesus was the firstborn, and we are His brothers and sisters, performing greater works with Him and in His Name… all the way to Reformation of Nations!

Bottom line – This progression works in business. We can choose to spend our lives and businesses doing what Father is doing and filling the earth with His glory. Your roadmap to connect purpose with your business offer is shown below:

This blog was inspired by a Council conversation. You’ll feel invited to your own Council sessions.

2025-10-02 Council – Alignment

Our Coaching Offer is a Progression to Sonship – Your Kingdom Purpose and redemptive stories all form the basis for your personal identity, purpose, value creation, and your business offer. Becoming your authentic self is the practical key to flow and fruit in business and life. We have a practical and prophetic approach to help you get there, flowing with your Father (co-laboring) instead of fighting circumstances and resistance on your own.

Questionnaire

Are You Running Someone Else’s Race?

A Kingdom Purpose Assessment

This questionnaire will help you identify whether you’re chasing your Father’s authentic purpose or running someone else’s race.

Answer honestly—this is between you and God.

Part 1: Identity & Calling

1. How did you choose your current goals and business direction?

[ ] I adopted them from someone I admired
[ ] They were given to me (family, church, mentor expectations)
[ ] I received them through prayer and Council conversations with Father
[ ] I honestly can’t remember—it just seemed like the right path
[ ] Other: _______________

2. When you think about your “success,” whose approval are you seeking?

[ ] My mentor’s/leader’s approval
[ ] My family’s or spouse’s approval
[ ] My peers in my industry
[ ] Father’s pleasure and Kingdom purpose
[ ] Social media validation
[ ] I’m not sure

3. Complete this sentence: “I feel most alive when…”

[Free response]

4. Does your current business/life direction align with what energizes you most?

[ ] Yes, completely
[ ] Somewhat—parts of it do
[ ] Not really—I’m doing what I “should” do
[ ] No—I feel disconnected from my work
[ ] I’ve never thought about it this way

Part 2: The Burnout Test

5. When you complete tasks on your “good works checklist,” how do you feel?

[ ] Fulfilled and purposeful
[ ] Relieved but empty
[ ] Exhausted and resentful
[ ] Guilty if I don’t finish everything
[ ] Like I’m checking boxes with no real meaning

6. Does accountability feel:

[ ] Life-giving and supportive
[ ] Intrusive and shallow
[ ] Like someone checking up on me
[ ] Empowering—it helps me stay aligned with Father’s purpose
[ ] Necessary but draining

7. How often do you feel like you’re “winning the game” but it’s not your game?

[ ] Constantly—this describes my life
[ ] Frequently—more often than I’d like
[ ] Sometimes—certain areas feel this way
[ ] Rarely—I’m mostly on the right track
[ ] Never—I’m confident in my direction

8. Rate your current state: (1 = Strongly Disagree, 5 = Strongly Agree)

My success feels like freedom: 1 2 3 4 5
I’m energized by my daily work: 1 2 3 4 5
I feel authentically myself in my business: 1 2 3 4 5
My accomplishments bring lasting satisfaction: 1 2 3 4 5

Part 3: Serfdom vs. Sonship

9. Which statement best describes your relationship with God in your business?

[ ] I pray for blessing and success on my plans
[ ] I follow religious checklists to stay “right” with God
[ ] I have regular Council conversations about what Father is doing
[ ] I’m not sure God cares about my business
[ ] I feel guilty that I’m not doing enough for God

10. Where does your sense of purpose come from?

[ ] Achieving goals I set for myself
[ ] Meeting expectations others have for me
[ ] Conversations in Father’s Council and co-laboring with Him
[ ] Proving my worth through accomplishments
[ ] Religious duty and obligation

11. Have you experienced what the blog calls “religious serfdom promoted by guilt”?

[ ] Yes, this is my current reality
[ ] Yes, but I’m breaking free from it
[ ] Sometimes—I struggle with this
[ ] No, I don’t relate to this
[ ] I’m not sure what this means

12. Do you know your unique Kingdom Purpose?

[ ] Yes, crystal clear—I’m living it
[ ] I have some clarity but need more
[ ] I’m discovering it through Father’s Council
[ ] No, I’m confused about my purpose
[ ] I didn’t know I was supposed to have one

Part 4: Connection & Co-Laboring

13. Which best describes your current approach? (Choose the one that resonates most)

Option #1: I’m focused on my soulish dreams and tapping into whatever energy I can find to achieve success

Option #2: I’m learning to lay down my life, take up my cross, and discover my true self by following Jesus and co-laboring with Father

Option #3: I’m somewhere in between—struggling to shift from #1 to #2

14. Have you experienced “ascension to Father’s Council”?

[ ] Yes, regularly—I have conversations with Father, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit
[ ] I’ve experienced it a few times
[ ] I want to but don’t know how
[ ] I’m skeptical about this concept
[ ] No, and I’m not interested

15. How aware are you of what Father is doing daily and how your purpose aligns with it?

[ ] Very aware—I’m connected and co-laboring
[ ] Somewhat aware—I catch glimpses
[ ] Rarely aware—I’m mostly on my own
[ ] Not aware—I don’t know how to access this
[ ] I didn’t know this was possible

16. Which statement resonates most with your current business reality?

[ ] I’m serving myself and my soulish dreams
[ ] I’m engaged in Father’s larger purpose on earth
[ ] I’m transitioning from serfdom to sonship
[ ] I’m confused and feel stuck
[ ] I’m successful but feel hollow

Part 5: Reflection & Next Steps

17. After reading the blog and taking this assessment, what resonates most?

[Free response]

18. What’s your biggest obstacle to moving from “running someone else’s race” to running yours?

[ ] I don’t know how to hear Father’s voice
[ ] Fear of letting people down
[ ] Financial pressure to keep doing what “works”
[ ] I don’t have a mentor who know both my heart and God’s heart
[ ] Religious guilt and obligation
[ ] Other: _______________

19. On a scale of 1-10, how ready are you to shift from serfdom to sonship?

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

20. What’s your next step?

[ ] Register for the October 11 Masterclass
[ ] Read more about Sonship, Ascension, and Reformation
[ ] Begin having Council conversations with Father
[ ] Seek coaching to discover my Kingdom Purpose
[ ] I need to process this more first
[ ] Other: _______________

Scoring Guide

Burnout Indicators (Questions 5-8): If you answered “intrusive and shallow,” “exhausted and resentful,” or scored below 3 on question 8, you’re likely experiencing the serfdom described in the blog.

Serfdom vs. Sonship (Questions 9-12): If you’re motivated by guilt, obligation, or others’ expectations rather than Father’s purpose, you may be running someone else’s race.

Readiness for Shift (Questions 17-20): Your answers here reveal whether you’re ready to move from borrowed ambition to authentic Kingdom Purpose.

Ready to Find Your Race?

Next Steps:

Register for the Masterclass: October 11 @ 8 AM
Read Read Sonship, Ascension, and Reformation
Read the Full Blog: “You’re Not Burnt Out—You’re Just Running Someone Else’s Race”
Explore Coaching: Discover your Kingdom Purpose and align it with your business offer

Your roadmap: Sonship → Ascension → Reformation

Stop being a serf. Start being a son or daughter.

🔥 Chasing the Wrong Dream