Beyond Calling: What Keeps Us Going When the Going Gets Tough…
Location
Morgan
Session Format
Presentation
Abstract
In times of burnout, disillusionment, or systemic challenge, the concept of “calling” often serves as a foundational motivator for educators, leaders, and change agents. But what happens when calling alone isn’t’ enough? This session explores the deeper, often overlooked sources of resilience and perseverance that sustain professionals through adversity. Drawing on qualitative insights from doctoral students, faculty, and higher education leaders, this presentation will unpack the emotional, relational, and structural supports that help individuals persist when their sense of purpose is tested.
Participants will engage with reflective prompts and storytelling exercises to identify their own sustaining forces – whether it be community, mentorship, spiritual grounding, or a commitment to justice. The session will also introduce a framework for “resilience beyond calling,” offering practical strategies for cultivating long-term sustainability in mission-drive work. Attendees will leave with renewed clarity about what keeps them going and how to nurture those sources intentionally in themselves and others.
Keywords
Burnout, resilience, calling, motivation
Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
Recommended Citation
Lovelace, Jennifer, "Beyond Calling: What Keeps Us Going When the Going Gets Tough…" (2026). Georgia Educational Research Association Conference. 46.
https://digitalcommons.georgiasouthern.edu/gera/2026/2026/46
Beyond Calling: What Keeps Us Going When the Going Gets Tough…
Morgan
In times of burnout, disillusionment, or systemic challenge, the concept of “calling” often serves as a foundational motivator for educators, leaders, and change agents. But what happens when calling alone isn’t’ enough? This session explores the deeper, often overlooked sources of resilience and perseverance that sustain professionals through adversity. Drawing on qualitative insights from doctoral students, faculty, and higher education leaders, this presentation will unpack the emotional, relational, and structural supports that help individuals persist when their sense of purpose is tested.
Participants will engage with reflective prompts and storytelling exercises to identify their own sustaining forces – whether it be community, mentorship, spiritual grounding, or a commitment to justice. The session will also introduce a framework for “resilience beyond calling,” offering practical strategies for cultivating long-term sustainability in mission-drive work. Attendees will leave with renewed clarity about what keeps them going and how to nurture those sources intentionally in themselves and others.
