Field Note #07: Stewardship Is Your Best Weapon Against Online Teaching Overwhelm

It's freeing to know that real impact doesn’t come from doing it all, but from stewarding what matters.

When I started teaching online as an entrepreneur, I realized somewhere between the fifth to-do list and the twentieth “just one more tweak” to my course outline, that I wasn’t building a business, but a burnout cycle.

I had signed up to create something impactful. To teach what I knew. To help people.

What I didn’t sign up for? Feeling like I was juggling flaming swords on a tightrope, while my weekends disappeared and my peace of mind went with them.

That’s when I stumbled into a quiet shift.

A way of creating that felt less like hustle, and more like stewardship.

Not just doing less, but doing what matters most.

This Field Note is about that shift toward what I now call the Power-of-One Stewardship. It changed everything about how I create and teach online.

 
What Is Stewardship, Really?

Stewardship isn’t just a buzzword, but a way of life. At its core, stewardship means managing what’s been entrusted to you — your time, talents, resources, and opportunities — with wisdom, care, and responsibility.

From a faith perspective, stewardship goes deeper. Remember the Parable of the Talents (Matthew 25:14-30)? The takeaway isn’t just about multiplying what you’ve been given, but about trusting God by putting your gifts to work.

Stewardship challenges us to show up fully, applying our God-given resources towards creating meaningful impact.

For course creators, this means designing programs that don’t just check a box but create transformation. It’s about honoring both your mission and your clients.

Why Stewardship Matters in Online Teaching & Business

The hustle culture of online teaching and entrepreneurship often tells us to "do more." More content, more features, more launches.

But true stewardship invites us to do the opposite: focus on less but do it better.

I came across this TEDx Talk on Essentialism: The Disciplined Pursuit of Less  by Greg McKeown that explains how narrowing your focus to what truly matters allows you to make a greater impact. It's about cutting through the noise and committing to excellence in the areas that count the most.

Do As I Say, Don't Do As I Do

I was launching my first online course full of passion, purpose, and, let’s be honest, a little bit of perfections to get it all just right. I poured everything into it. Endless modules. Polished social media posts. Instant email replies. I wanted it to shine.

But I hit a wall. I was exhausted, overwhelmed, and quietly wondering if I was even cut out for this.

Then one quiet morning, I asked myself a question that stopped me in my tracks:

Am I truly stewarding my time and energy—or am I just trying to prove myself?

That question shifted everything.

1. Stewarding My Energy

I realized my course didn’t have to be massive to be meaningful. I focused on creating something smaller, more intentional, and deeply transformative. That brought joy back into the process.

2. Setting Realistic Goals

I stopped trying to do it all. And that was hard, but freeing. I began setting small, achievable goals. Gave myself permission to rest. And let “faithfulness, not perfection” become my new life line. Turns out, obedience is way more sustainable than overachievement.

3. Playing to My Strengths

I leaned into what I’m best at: teaching, serving, and connecting. That meant automating the admin stuff that drained me, like payment processing and follow-up emails, so I could show up fully for my students. I still showed up with heart but without the burnout.

In the end, it wasn’t about doing more.

It was about doing what matters most—serving well, staying faithful, and honoring God with my time, energy, and gifts.

That’s the heart of stewardship.

  
The Power of One: Your Stewardship Strategy

Now let’s talk about the Power of One: one audience, one transformation, one pathway. This isn’t just a productivity hack; it’s an act of stewardship. You’re honoring your resources, reducing overwhelm, and creating courses that deliver real impact. Here’s how it works:

1. One Audience

Clarity starts with knowing exactly who you’re serving. A scattershot approach dilutes your message, but focusing on one specific audience allows you to meet them where they are and deliver exactly what they need.

For example, instead of trying to create a course for every entrepreneur, focus on first-time online course creators who are faith-driven and value purpose over profit. When you speak directly to their needs, you’ll attract students who are ready and eager to learn from you.

Why it matters: A focused audience means a stronger connection and students who are all-in.

2. One Transformation

Your course should promise one clear outcome. Whether it’s mastering a skill, solving a problem, or achieving a goal, this transformation becomes your North Star. 

Transformation isn’t just about solving problems; it’s about offering hope and renewal. For instance, if your course teaches how to build a profitable online course while keeping weekends sacred, that’s a game-changer for busy entrepreneurs craving balance.

Why it matters: Transformation builds trust. Students are more likely to enroll (and succeed) when they know exactly what they’re signing up for.

3. One Pathway

Overwhelming students with too many options leads to decision fatigue and frustration. Instead, create one actionable roadmap that guides them step-by-step toward success.

This process is more involved than the above two, but here are some tips on how to do it well:

• Map the customer journey. Design your course to anticipate your students’ path from point A (their struggles) to point Z (their success).
• Simplify choices. Fewer decisions lead to faster progress. Eliminate unnecessary modules or distractions.
• Prioritize Support. Include check-ins, quick wins, or even a “progress tracker” to keep your students motivated and on course.

Why it matters: A clear pathway leads to better outcomes. When students aren’t distracted by unnecessary complexity, they’re more likely to complete your course—and recommend it to others.

What Happens When You Embrace The Power of One?

This simple shift changes a lot. Suddenly, you’re no longer chasing trends or trying to please everyone. Instead, you’re forming real connections, creating meaningful results, and seeing a greater impact.

When I embraced this mindset, I experienced a sense of freedom. Gone was the constant pressure to create more, do more, and be more in order to keep up. I could focus on creating with purpose and intention, knowing that simplicity leads to clarity, and clarity leads to action.

Your clients will feel the difference, too. When they follow a clear, simple path, they experience real success. And that success doesn’t just transform their lives; it transforms your business and your purpose, one student at a time.

To AI or Not to AI?

 
Let’s talk about the elephant in the virtual room: AI.

Some love it, some fear it, and others are convinced it’s secretly plotting world domination (spoiler: it’s not). My take? Absolutely, yes, but with intention and care.

AI tools can be game-changers for online teachers when used wisely. The key is to let them support your mission, not overshadow your creativity.

For instance, instead of staring at a blank screen for too long, I let AI be my brainstorming buddy! I prompt it to generate ideas, rearrange and shorten outlines (I tend to be a little long-winded), and help me improve my writing. I think of it as my trusty assistant who works 24/7 and doesn’t judge. 

Here’s the deal: AI isn’t here to replace your creativity. It’s here to supercharge it. By reducing overwhelm and tackling the repetitive stuff, it gives you more time and energy to focus on what matters most: creating impact, building community, and showing up as the bold servant leader you’re called to be.

Stewardship Over Hustle

Creating an online course doesn’t have to feel overwhelming. By embracing the Power of One Stewardship, you can simplify your process, reduce stress, and create courses that transform lives.

Take a moment today to reflect: What’s one area of stewardship you can focus on to simplify your course creation process?

Whether it’s narrowing your audience, defining a clear transformation, or streamlining your course pathway, start small and stay faithful. Your students and your peace of mind will thank you.