Ups and downs of social change work: how to prevent ourselves and our peers from being discouraged?
Are there better ways to take care of ourselves, our peers, and the community or causes we serve?
Recently, I've been looking back at my work commitments and the way my career has evolved. Paradoxical feelings color my work as a social changemaker: skepticism, fears, doubts, passion, inspiration, hope. While reacting to the ups and downs of social work, I'm looking for practical ways to maintain (or renew) my energy, dedication, joy, and serenity at work and with my family. I'm sharing some of my insights through this post, but I would also like to invite you to comment and propose some of your learnings.
Social service work and social entrepreneurship brought intense emotions and experiences into my life, from learning the theoretical concept of non-profit management to working on the ground, witnessing the convoluted and connected social crisis that affects our communities and all of us individually. Whatever the cause, or societal issues that we are currently working on, there will always be a new social or environmental injustice that will deserve close attention. Our "to-do good" list can indeed be endless. Mine looks like this: "addressing professional resettlement of refugee women, expanding ethical and sustainability practices within the manufacturing industry, advocating for employees' wellbeing, promoting access to dignified work opportunities for all, advocating against exploitation of natural resources, etc.".
We certainly won't solve all of these problems during our lifetime, but we will surely be able to say that we tried, which makes a difference.
Personally, from time to time, witnessing the immensity of the work ahead paralyzes and prevents me from engaging in any form. Often, the following questions come into my mind: What is my "power" here? How could I even imagine that my work, or personal engagement toward a cause I cherish, has any impact or influence? Is this job/work worth continuing? I also realized that the environment where I worked altered the perception of my ability to contribute to change.
Our work environment, which includes: the quality of the relationships with our colleagues, our understanding and acceptance of our organization's culture, history, and values, affects our ability to serve and evolve professionally and personally. If our work brings us financial stability, meaning, and joy, we will undoubtedly have the energy to give back and serve more efficiently and serenely. However, working in the social change sector doesn't necessarily lead to a sustainable income or ensure access to the resources we need to operate. It is also common for our efforts to be unrecognized. It is not surprising to see our energy decrease and our willingness to continue our work vanish in this context. Whether we are self-employed, contractors, or long-term staff, our work can't always offer the supportive conditions necessary to contribute to our success. What alternatives and solutions shall we then undertake to prevent ourselves and our peers from being discouraged?
On a personal level, one solution could be to surround ourselves with friends and peers that are supportive, reliable, and relatable. Building professional and personal relationships based on shared experiences, trust, and reciprocity can help establish a support system when we feel low in our careers. To prevent burnout, we could try to increase our ability to understand and set professional boundaries by clarifying with our colleagues and clients what we can offer and what we can't. We should also learn how to become less self-judgmental by accepting that the messiness and unpredictable nature of the social change sector will undoubtedly challenge our capacity and minimize our impact. Finally, to help us move forward, we need to be clear with our intentions and the values that drive them by asking ourselves: What are we honestly trying to achieve, with whom, and what working conditions would we tolerate?
All way through your engagement, take some time to check-in and reflect on your current commitment:
What adjustments have you made in your life since you started your last job?
How much more compromises are you willing to make?
Does this work contribute to your overall wellbeing?
What does your current support system look like?
Who are the ones you can lean on when you fall short or feeling low?
Where do you go or do when you need to "restore" your energy?
Are there any elements of your life that are out of balance?
Is your work responsible for this?
What contributes to you feeling that your life is balanced or out of balance?
What changes can you make now to establish order and serenity in your career?
I'm curious to know more about your experience, feedback, and insights on engaging in our work more mindfully. Are there better ways to take care of ourselves, our peers, and the community or causes we serve?