As a non-profit executive working in healthcare and human/social services, there’s no question that you have a tendency to put others’ needs before your own. Which is an awesome quality when you’re sitting behind your executive desk, but not so awesome when you and your family need attention.
There’s a delicate balance between dedicating your life to helping the most vulnerable people in society, and realizing that you, too, need and deserve attention. Consider the following insights from other executives with similar values as yours.
Trust That Others Are as Dedicated as You
Are you reluctant to leave on vacation because you feel everything will fall apart in your absence? Is your assistant pushing you out the door while you hastily give last minute instructions? These are signs that you don’t trust your staff to run the office in your stead. Stop and realize that people who work at non-profits aren’t in it for the money. If they were, they’d be working in a different sector. Your staff is as committed as you are to ensuring that the people you help get a fair shake in the world. Loosen the reins a bit. You can trust that the cart won’t tip.
Time Away Gives You a Powerful New Perspective
It’s amazing how a new environment can give you a whole new outlook on things. Even if you just slip away for the weekend with your family, you’ll come back with a fresh new look on something you’ve been doing for years at your non-profit. At work, you’ve surrounded yourself with people who are accustomed to the status quo. While repetition helps makes things more efficient, there’s not a lot of room for those “ah-ha” moments of insight and creativity. When you take time off for a vacation, life gets a little more – unexpected. That’s a good thing, because it’s during those moments when something new and unusual may occur to you that you can bring back to the office and use to improve conditions for the ones you serve.
Priorities are Subjective
As a non-profit executive, you are witness to a lot of crisis moments. People in peril—financial, physical or emotional peril—are living lives in perpetual crisis mode. It feels impossible to get away from the struggle. If you’re at all empathetic – and chances are that you are, if you’re a non-profit executive – then it’s difficult to separate yourself from that crisis mode when there are multiple priorities happening at once. But, while your accepted job is to help prevent crisis, try to remember that priorities are subjective. Yours and your family’s priorities are important, too. It may feel wrong to put a priority on bringing your family to a cozy island getaway when one of your clients is facing homelessness. But when your family relationships are strained and your kids are longing for parent time, that needs to be a priority, too. Try to remember that everyone has different priorities at different times, and yours are no less than anyone else’s.
Finally, remember to “put on your own mask before helping others.” The better you care for your needs and those of your family, the better able you’ll be able to make a positive difference in the world.
Recommend Readings:
10 Tips for Quick Case Manager Stress Relief
The Importance of Work-Life Balance and How Leaders Can Make It Happen
Editor's Note: This post was originally published in June 2017 and has been updated with additional information and content.
