Stress and burnout take their toll on Americans without discrimination, and the nonprofit sector is no exception. Increasingly, we hear stories of the effects of burnout on nonprofit leaders: how extreme stress makes people miserable in their jobs, causes them to quit altogether or, worse, suffer serious health issues.
Perhaps we in the nonprofit world are more susceptible to work burnout than even our corporate counterparts. We are especially passionate about our work because it is important. And it really is important — often a matter of life and death, actually; because of us, people are fed, saved, clothed, protected, educated, healed (and more!) every day.
To contribute to our stress, we are often doing this mission critical work at a disadvantage. Many nonprofits are understaffed and under-resourced. Nonprofit leaders themselves often take up the slack, assuming more and more responsibility so that the important work is completed.
It’s in this pressure cooker of too much life-or-death work to do and not enough time, resources or hands to do it, that nonprofit leaders and staffers begin to burnout.
Tips for Avoiding Burnout
How are you? Are you approaching burnout? Are you scarily close to it?
We have a few tips for helping you to avoid burnout. The main thing to remember is that you MUST care for yourself first. If you are burnt out and broken down, you are not able to help anyone. Fill your own cup so that you have a reserve from which to fill others’ cups.
- Protect your private time and draw boundaries. It’s imperative that you set “business hours” and stick to them. Don’t bring work home on nights or weekends. Don’t answer calls or emails after you leave the office. The work will inevitably creep into every spare moment of seven days a week, if allowed. Be vigilant about protecting time with your family.
- Set realistic expectations. Always under-promise and over-deliver. Stop trying to do everything with nothing. You know the limitations of yourself, your staff, and your organization. Prioritize the work realistically and quit trying to achieve unrealistic feats.
- Let off some steam. You need to have an outlet for physical activity, whether it’s walking, Zumba, or tennis. Find an enjoyable exercise to do regularly to help you de-stress.
- Take your vacation. Go on vacation every year, and make sure you take every single hour that you’ve earned. There’s nothing more restorative than getting away and unplugging with loved ones.
- Get creative. Make time to do something fun. Learn how to sew, paint pottery, or join the choir. Spending dedicated time each week with a creative activity is a welcome and anticipated mental break.
- Watch out for boredom. When the job becomes stale, and the tasks become rote, boredom can quickly devolve into burnout. You may be able to assume a new role within your organization. If not, it may be time to leave.
Don’t allow burnout to rob you of productivity and joy — manage your stress carefully and consistently, set appropriate work-life boundaries, and continually practice self-care.
