Here's how you can balance your time effectively as a community organizer for a healthy work-life balance.

I think prioritising your health and wellbeing is crucial to being a great community organiser. You cannot pour from an empty jug and it's easier to help others to make changes when they are inspired.

Be bold enough to stand up for yourself and your time by saying "not now" to someone close to you for the sake preserving your energy towards your goals. It is not nice but it is necessary. You cannot be everything to everyone but nothing to yourself. Prioritise your tasks and your goals first. Help others when your things are in order. It'll prevent bitterness when others succeed because you are succeeding as well.

I wholeheartedly agree with the above observations and assessments. Prioritizing what is most urgent first, and then focusing upon and finishing those tasks is critically advisable! Other matters may be dealt with later.

Community organizing usually involves many volunteers, so you have to use that resource wisely. In my experience, prioritizing tasks and delegation is critical. Setting boundaries is difficult but necessary. It is like the air masks in an airplane, you have to put yours on first before you can help others. Reflection should occur at regular intervals in order to evaluate progress and refocus when appropriate.

Get up early to exercise so you feel ready for work. Don't check your email after a certain hour. Otherwise it's like you never stop working.

One cannot delegate effectively if one is not organized enough to follow up and provide the requisite support. Effective delegation includes clear communication of the task at hand and giving people the creative freedom to execute. This requires trust and confidence in the person or team you are delegating to. Without that, delegation is ineffective. New Managers are often afraid to delegate for fear that if something goes wrong they’re ultimately responsible. This is somewhat true but with proper benchmarks and check ins to add guidance, delegation can be an effective tool to grow leadership within a team. Delegate to people’s strengths and push them in areas where they need to grow so they can maximize their potential.

Delegating task is difficult yet critical to being able to balance work/life balance. Delegating begins with family and including them as part of your personal team. Team work makes the dream work!

I have found that getting a team of support for your work is crucial. Involve key community members and set goals, expectations, timelines and responsibilities. Hold each other accountable through good communication. Organizing in the community should involve the community.

I believe that leaders are only as effective as the team they build. It is important to trust your team members to get the job done and give them the freedom to do their jobs without micromanagement.

Balancing time effectively as a community organizer to maintain a healthy work-life balance can be achieved by delegating duties efficiently. Start by identifying tasks that can be delegated to team members or volunteers based on their skills and strengths. Clearly communicate responsibilities and provide necessary training or resources to support them. Regular check-ins to monitor progress and offer guidance can ensure tasks are completed satisfactorily. By empowering others to take on roles within the organization, you can free up time to focus on high-priority initiatives and personal well-being, ultimately fostering a more sustainable work-life balance.

I don't know that this is the right thing for anyone else, but throughout a lifetime of volunteering or working professional campaigns, I find a need to walk away completely. I don't think I would have lived to 60 going full-tilt with churn and burn organizing gigs. I worked for a time as a barista and recently as an over-the-road truck driver. Time away for reflection, books, learning about the passion that motivates other people is about all I can do to escape the mono-maniacal world of organizing and get some peace of mind. Returning to politics and organizing always reminds me why I got out. Getting away reminds me why I always return. Now is a moment for anyone with any concern to be involved to any extent possible.

When we fall into urgency and scarcity, we are making ourselves victims to the very culture we are organizing to change. DON’T DO IT. Work at a pace that is manageable, balanced, and allows you to care for yourself and your family the way you need to. When we all refuse to give ourselves away is when we all start being valued for what we give. Remember how Eleanor Roosevelt said no one can make you feel inferior without your consent? Not setting appropriate boundaries for self care is consenting to being exploited. Refuse to work at jobs or organizations that don’t encourage good boundaries. There are other places to work. Refuse to take on other people’s urgency and stress. Do your job with integrity to your core values and value YOURSELF.

When working for social change it is so easy to get caught up and let the cause become who you are. It is important to establish boundaries and a way to separate work life and private life. I work remotely which makes it even more difficult. I turn off my work computer and set my phone to silent when I need to draw the line.

To balance time effectively as a community organizer and maintain a healthy work-life balance, it's important to set boundaries. Clearly define your work hours and prioritize tasks to avoid burnout. Delegate responsibilities when possible and learn to say no to additional commitments that could overwhelm you. Schedule regular breaks, relaxation time, and activities that bring you joy outside of work. Communicate your boundaries with colleagues and community members to manage expectations efficiently. Remember that taking care of yourself allows you to better serve your community in the long term.

Furthermore, time blocking can enhance your ability to set boundaries, as it clearly delineates when you are available for work and when you are not. This can be particularly beneficial in preventing burnout, as it ensures that you have dedicated periods for rest and relaxation.

Every work a person finds himself in will demand a balance between your health and delivery on the expectations from the organization. Overworking yourself does not guarantee delivery when prioritizing and commitment becomes a challenge. Effectiveness of time is measured by how productive a person May be in his work as such time block deals with procrastination which is also a challenge among some who fail to prioritize work in their time schedules.

As a community organizer, I set clear boundaries by turning off my phone at 8 PM. This helps me disconnect from work. I engage in mindful activities like cooking, reading, and evening walks. Cooking allows me to enjoy the process and relax, while reading helps me unwind and fall asleep easily. Walking without my phone lets me reflect and enjoy my surroundings. These practices rejuvenate me, ensuring I start each day refreshed and ready for new challenges.

Self-awareness and reflection is critical. Our energy levels can fluctuate throughout the day, and can be impacted by our minds, bodies, or environment. Check out Person-In-Environment (PIE) Theory. Regular reflection at the start of a day, and at the end of the day helps me understand what did I accomplish, what didn’t go as planned, and what do I need (or what does my team need/my family need) for tomorrow? I reflect on the two weeks ahead every Friday, and this helps me strategically plan. Because community organizing requires adaptability, I reflect and look ahead to ensure I have the brain space and capacity to adapt as needed in the moment when last minute changes come up. ???????? #reflection #selfawareness #planning

To balance your time effectively as a community organizer and maintain a healthy work-life balance, it is important to set boundaries and prioritize tasks. Reflecting regularly on your commitments and energy levels can help you assess where your time is best spent and where adjustments are needed. Incorporating self-care practices such as exercise, hobbies, and quality time with loved ones is crucial to avoid burnout and maintain a balanced lifestyle. Remember to delegate tasks when possible, practice saying no when necessary, and be mindful of your own needs while working towards the common goals of the community.