What do you do if your passion for Community Outreach starts to fade?

Motivation and passion will naturally ebb and flow. It's important to know that it is completely normal and ideally catch the dips early to make changes as needed. Reflecting on your why can help reignite the spark. Try to remember what originally sparked your interest in making a difference and then assess how your current role fulfills those aspirations. You can also dive into your core values and purpose which can help you rediscover the driving force behind your dedication. Self-awareness can empower you to navigate your path with purpose and conviction!

One of the wonderful aspects of working in fields that align with your values, you are very likely among like-minded people who you can lean on for support. Not only will they empathize with you, but they have likely experienced it themselves at some point in their careers. Their empathy, advice, and shared experiences can help you navigate through uncertainties and rediscover your sense of purpose. Remember, you are not alone in your journey, and together, you can overcome obstacles and continue making a positive impact!

Burnout and compassion fatigue are major obstacles to be aware of in the community outreach world. Explore many different forms of self-care to find which ones work the best for you. Often, when people think of self-care, they might think of a spa day, but I have found that time with loved ones or time embracing creative hobbies are the best forms of self-care for me! Setting boundaries with your work is also an important form of self-care - it's important to have an end to your work day, even if your work notifications keep going into the evening hours. Creating that separation can help you avoid burnout so you can continue doing your work.

This goes along with the continuous improvement mindset and receiving feedback regularly - if you are constantly evaluating how things are currently going you will find a lot of different areas where you can have innovations! They do not always have to be massive changes, instead anything to shake things up a little can help you get out of burnout and reignite your passion.

Passion comes and goes. If your passion is only beginning to fade you shouldn't make drastic changes. The steps above offer good advice to assess your situation, and figure out what's causing your loss of passion. Community outreach can be difficult, but in times when it's no longer fun or energizing remember the help your offering to others. Finally all jobs are jobs. You can always find a new one and someone else can always fill yours. If there's no way to get the passion you need for the work, don't be afraid to change your path.