It is easy to view self-care as selfish, especially in the non-profit world where we spend so much time and energy giving to others. However, non-profit fundraising is a difficult job. It is challenging physically, emotionally, and mentally. Taking care of yourself means that you have more to give. The following golden rules of self-care will help you to stay energized and engaged in your role. You Cannot Give What You Do Not Have “Be kind to everyone, especially yourself,” is the backbone of self-care. For most of us working at non-profits, kindness towards others comes naturally. When our cup is full or even running low, we are kind, generous people. However, as soon as that cup hits empty, we find ourselves in a dark space. As the saying goes, you cannot pour from an empty cup. In that way, being kind to yourself allows you to be kinder to others because it will enable you to keep your cup fuller for longer. You are also more equipped to refill your cup in a healthy way when it is empty. Everyone is human; sometimes, we feel upset, angry, or frustrated. Being kind to ourselves in that moment and letting ourselves off the hook allows us to bounce back from those feelings faster. Everything Will Pass Patience can be difficult to practice, but it can be helpful to remember that everything is temporary, and with a bit of patience, the difficult times will pass. Be patient with yourself and know that when you are down, you won’t be down for long. In time, you can and will get back up again. When you work for a non-profit, you will feel frustrated, whether with co-workers, donors, or even the world at large. That is normal. Allow yourself to feel that frustration knowing that if you are patient, that feeling will pass, and you will be able to see the privilege you have to do the work you do. You will return to a place of gratitude if you are patient. Carve Out "Me Time" Schedule time for activities that fill your cup into your day. Most of us at HGAFundraising have time in our work schedule for physical activity, whether that be training or going for a walk. We prioritize our health now, but ultimately, the people we serve benefit too. This time allows us to return refreshed and reenergized, which we bring to our work. “Me time” doesn’t have to be centered around physical activity; it could be:
Any activity that energizes you can be used during your “me time.” The second part is not feeling guilty about prioritizing your “me time.” It is easy to get derailed by an email or a phone conversation and prioritize something else, but it’s okay to prioritize that “me time.” You shouldn’t feel guilty, because that time allows you to bring your best self to your work. Journal Journalling is a great way to check in with yourself and take stock of your life. It allows you to get your thoughts out of your head and down on paper. It also provides you with the ability to review your past to see what you experienced and how you have grown over time.
There are many different ways to approach journaling. You could use journaling to:
There is no right or wrong way to journal. Just start recording whatever you want to. Listen to Episode #111 of the HGAFundraising webinar to learn more about developing a self-care practice and how it can make you a more effective fundraiser. Watch on YouTube Listen on Apple Listen on Spotify |
Categories
All
Subscribe to stay up to date with new articles, webinars, and podcasts!
HGAFundraisingAt HGA, we're dedicated to helping nonprofit organizations Raise More Money through coaching, auction items, and auction software. |
HoursEvery Day We're Fundraising!
|
Telephone |
customer@hgafundraising.com
HGAFundraising is a division of HGA Group LLC |