What do you do if your work-life balance is suffering as a non-profit professional?

Several years ago, my team and I concluded that each of us update our personal life balance wheel once a month. I think you know this technique. Usually, after the annual planning of the organization, everyone has time to look at their life through these 8 areas and find their points of growth and balance. Only after this, do we talk about development plans and workload in individual projects. I like the NGO sector because it is more humane towards employees.

El crear expectativas y límites claros para sí mismo, funciona sí se pone en práctica con los del resto del equipo. Para lograr el balance se necesita una cultura organizacional que respete y promueva el balance y autocuidado en todos los niveles.

Be mindful that there is an expectation in non-profit to go above and beyond in so many ways, and that it is common to address this issue with self-help resources. Would self-help aid the canary to become less vulnerable to carbon monoxide gas in the mines? It is important to recognize the demanding nature of non-profit and the impacts on your health. At the end of the day, self-care is very important and should be a priority.

I would add based on experience to lean on Board members and other volunteers leaders to help with the load. These individuals are bought-in to the nonprofit's purpose and mission. Don't be afraid to reach out and say, "I'm overwhelmed. I need some help." The people who give money are very often also willing and perhaps even mores to give time and expertise to assist you. A nonprofit leader need to go it alone when he is surrounded by individuals who believe in what he is doing, and just need to be asked to bear some of the burden.

There are so many great resources out there now to better support folks working in non-profit, and so much more focus on this. Talk to your organization about existing tools that HR may offer, inside and outside the organization. Talk to peers, attend webinars and workshops focused on balance, employee well-being and importantly, as you are able to, foster a work environment that centers well-being, balance and boundaries across the team. Taking time off, building resilience practices and ensuring folks take breaks are also simple things that are still key.