Juggling numerous high-stress fundraising campaigns for various causes. How will you prevent burnout?

Confucius emphasized the importance of propriety, respect, and self-discipline, which are fundamental to establishing healthy boundaries. Aristotle, the Greek philosopher discussed the concept of moderation and balance, which can be applied to setting limits and boundaries in one's life. Being ‘everything to everyone’ is a sure way to be burned out by the time you’re 30 so set boundaries wherever possible, and just trust in the people around you that they will respect you for it, as after all, this is something everyone can relate to, and if anything it will bring you closer together. It also makes you more ‘rare’, and that is something I think we all ultimately want to be.

“Be yourself, everyone else is taken” if you are to live by one motto for self care this is one to consider. We burn out so quickly by thinking about how to transform ourselves into being the people we (think) others want us to be and it takes away the much needed energy we need to actually be good at our jobs (which in the end is what all people really want us to be).

After letting go of my Development Associate, I had to run the department by myself for almost a year before I found a replacement. What I learned then and I tell my clients now is that your Board and staff are your team, and cultivating a culture within your organization of collaboration around fundraising and development is key. Getting your Board involved from the start of the year and the start of their tenure and letting them know what it means to support fundraising for your organization and how to get involved is going to be key. The same for staff, but knowing that they are already most likely very busy doing the work on the ground make sure their role isn't taxing as is more supportive.

"A garden of souls, where talents reside, Together we flourish, side by side. With roots interlaced, we stand strong and tall, A symphony of spirits, answering the call” ~ Unknown Poet. Many times we hear that when a human is close to ‘nature’ they are happier and more sound. This in part due to the fact that we as a species are innately supposed to be living in nature, not cities surrounded by technology. Working in a team is part of that ancient nature-based habitat and we should lean into it as much as possible. That ‘hunter-gatherer’ tribe, that two-person team creating that fire for the first time—this is how history is made. After all, we as humans didn’t learn how to actually speak words for the first time in history by ourselves.