There’s a saying about flying high and falling hard, and it’s especially true for people involved with charity work. When everything’s going great, you’re thrilled to be changing the world; when times are tough, it can feel like you’re not making a difference at all.
If you’re going through the latter right now, it’s okay. It happens to a lot of philanthropists. They get back on the horse, and so can you. Here are just a few tips for getting excited about charity work again!
1. Find a New Cause to Support
You don’t have to give up your old one. Just take a little break by doing something different for awhile, especially if it’s in a separate industry. For example, if you’re feeling fatigued by social work, you might start volunteering at an animal shelter on the weekends to get away from people for a bit. The change of environment will be refreshing, and you might even make some new contacts for your real job. Networking can happen in the strangest of places!
2. Do Something With Real-World Results
It’s one thing to donate to a music charity and another thing to actually pack, haul and deliver street pianos to underprivileged children. While both of these things are solid charitable acts, the second one is what will allow you to see the real-world results of your efforts. You’ll feel energized by the tangible evidence that you’re doing good. It can be just the kick that you need to get back in the saddle.
3. Recruit Others to the Cause
The excitement of having fresh faces around the office might get you out of your slump. You might also be reminded of all the reasons that you love your organization when you’re explaining and recommending it to others. If you think that you might need some new blood around your nonprofit, consider recruiting volunteers, hiring summer interns or training new employees.
These are just a few ways to rediscover your joy and passion for philanthropy. Remember, the burnout that you’re feeling is entirely normal. Plenty of people go through it, and it doesn’t make you a bad person for not wanting to be charitable every second of the day. The most important thing is that you’re willing to work through your negative emotions and get back to making a difference when you feel better.
Good luck!